Old Dunstan Road

This is one of my favourite Central South Island routes, on a clear sunny day this place is heaven for adventure riders! The scenery is outstanding, in some areas where the expansive barren land is spotted with unusual looking natural rock formations you could swear you are on another planet. The road is technically made up of two sections joined in the middle with the help of a couple of other roads. The first section is from Clarks Junction to Paerau and the second is from Linnburn Runs Road to Webster Lane (Including Pooburn Dam). Both are equally as good and best done as one singular route. Highly recommended.

Photo preview

The photos below are from various trips along the road displayed in no particular order

Route Information

Access period

The road is closed from the first Tuesday in June to 30th of September. It is open outside of this period

Access Permission

No permission required, public road/s

Access Cost

No cost, free to the public

Grade

Grade 3

Terrain

A mixture of generally good condition winding ascending and descending dirt/gravel roads with many solid rock sections. Plenty of scattered rocks around to keep an eye out for. A few small stream fords. Immediately after being graded the road can be quite loosely packed and requires extra caution. In wet conditions it can become extremely slippery

Distance

98.25 km for both sections covering the entire Old Dunstan Road

Timeframe

Actual riding time one way approximately 2 1/2 hours to 3 1/2 hours depending on riding style

GPS - GPX File Downloads

Download track

Download track file to your computer

Download 250 point

Download 250 point GPX file to your computer

GPS disclaimer

The highest level of care and attention has gone into ensure the GPS files are as accurate as possible however please be aware that all GPS files on www.adventureguide.co.nz are made publicly available on the basis of use at your own risk. www.adventureguide.co.nz has no legal responsibility for use or misuse of any GPS files supplied. It is your responsibility to adequately plan, prepare and keep yourself safe

General Facilities

Toilet facilities

No toilet facilities along this road

Rubbish disposal

Not serviced for rubbish, please take ALL rubbish with you on departure

Cautions and Safety Information

Weather

The weather can turn very quickly in this area. Both night time and daytime temperatures can plummet without warning, make sure you are well prepared with the correct gear. Unscheduled rain can appear and come down with force, rivers can then rise to impassable levels within minutes. Snow is often a regular occurrence in winter time and can also occur in any season

Snow

This area can be subject to snow at any time of the year

Weather report

Weather report

Sandflies

Sandflies can be present in low numbers, insect repellent is recommended