The trip to Macetown is a right of passage for 4WD owners from all over New Zealand. Richard Soult of 4x4Exlorer.co.nz explains why. 

Story by Richard Soult Photo Scott Gray

The Macetown track is an absolute “must do” for any Overlander with a day to kill in the Lakes District. At 15 kilometres, it’s not a very long track, but the varying scenery, multiple river crossings and history, make it truly EPIC!!

The track is well used and at normal water levels, is straightforward. All the crossings have solid bottoms and there are only the occasional small boulders to be wary of.

The beginning of the track is basically up the bed of the Arrow River. Some of the crossings are long and the exit is not visible from the entry point. The golden rule is always to identify your exit before committing but here you are quite safe as long as the river is not running high.

At least!

One thing that makes this track so special is the number of river crossings. I lost count, but the total number of crossings for the return journey must be around 50!!!!!!!

Having got into it and gaining confidence in the surface of the riverbed, I stopped to take some photos and video one of the crossings. 

A series of 4WD vehicles on a tourist safari came past. The driver of the lead vehicle, which was full of tourists, stopped and shouted across to me “They don’t believe this is a public road”! That’s New Zealand for you, with even routes like the Godley Glacier being public roads.

As you move further up the valley, the track gains altitude and the views open up. Everyone talks about Skippers Canyon, but the drop offs up to Macetown are bigger, although the vegetation bordering the track gives you a very false sense of security.

History come alive

I had been fortunate enough to be up here a few days before with Jono Hitchcox of Lost Sheep Adventures. Jono is based in Queenstown and knows the track like the back of his hand. He had invited me along to film a new episode and, apart from having an epic day, I learnt a lot about the history of the place.

Watch the video on YouTube. You can find a link on our Facebook page. 

At one point on the track, you can see the ruins of a hut on the far side of the river. This was once the home of “Opium Bob”. An Anglo-Saxon, Bob used to pan for gold until he had enough money to go to Arrowtown and buy opium from the Chinese. He would then return to his hut and enjoy his opium-fuelled existence until it ran out. Inevitably, one day his luck ran out and he fell to his death.

By the way, the large pipes that you see when you are driving up the valley are a gravity-based irrigation scheme, fed from a dam. This is quite extraordinary, with no moving parts and provides water to the farmlands below.

Given up the ghost

Macetown settlement is long since deserted, however several buildings remain, along with the remains of the stamper that was used to crush the quartz to extract gold.

There are lots of boards that provide historical information and it is well worth taking your time to read about the pioneers who once lived here. 

Unfortunately, because Macetown is relatively accessible there have been many instances of 4WD owners venturing off the marked tracks and damaging the old diggings. There are signs asking people to be responsible, but unfortunately, as happens so often, the responsible majority is being tarred by the actions of a few. If you do see inappropriate behavior, please note down the regos of those concerned and help keep this place open to us all.

As well as being the great drive, the Arrow River has an abundance of great swimming holes and places to picnic and camp.

The Macetown track, which is Grade 3, can easily be driven in half a day, although I would encourage you to take your time and make a day or weekend of it.

For full information on this route and nearly 800 others, please subscribe to https://www.4x4explorer.co.nz/?aff=2818

Each route has complete information regarding grades, distances, campsites, safety, fuel stations etc.

Join 4x4Explorer and hope to see you out there on the tracks!

To read the full story in the May 2019 issue of NZ4WD go to Zinio.com (April 22) or purchase your own hard copy at the Adrenalin store.