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Once this area bustled with gold miners working nearby claims while others were just passing through as they travelled the Dunstan Trail to or from the goldfields in and around Clyde and the Cromwell Gorge. After enjoying the hospitality of the Moa Creek Hotel, now available as self-contained, self-catering accommodation, those taking their fortunes or hard luck stories back to Dunedin would wind their way up South Rough Ridge, staying at one of five hotels now under the waters of the Poolburn Dam, before dropping down into the Maniototo at Pareau/Styx.
Full of food, alcohol and optimism others would leave Moa Creek following the Dunstan Trail up and over Raggedy Range to the Galloway Flats. From there they could look forward to basically an easy final trek to the goldfields.
There’s a lot of history to be seen in and around Moa Flat, including the old school building. An excursion off the Rail Trail via Moa Creek to visit Poolburn Dam is more a four-wheel drive adventure than a bike ride --- unless you’re extremely fit. But any effort to get there is well rewarded. You’ll have no trouble understanding why The Lord Of The Rings filmmaker Peter Jackson declared the Poolburn Dam his second favourite location.
Moa Creek may look like the end of the road but it could be the beginning of further cycling adventures in Central Otago. By turning right at Moa Creek you can follow the Dunstan Trail up and over the Crawford Hills to Galloway where if you wish you can reconnect with the Otago Central Rail Trail. From the summit of the Crawfords it’s possible to see just about forever.
Another adventure option from Moa Creek is to really put your endurance and stamina to the test by cycling the Dunstan Trail up past the Poolburn Dam and down to Pareau/Styx. There you have the choice of riding into Patearoa or continuing with the Trail to come out at Clarks Junction south of Middlemarch. But do take camping gear with you because unlike the days when tens of thousands trekked the Dunstan Trail there is no accommodation between Moa Creek and Patearoa or Clarks Junction.
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Discovering this obviously loved and lived-in original stone cottage is one of the treats of exploring Moa Creek. |
It's quiet and peaceful now, but there was a time when the Moa Creek Hotel was bursting at the seams with miners. Some celebrating their good fortune but a good many numbing their disappointment and despair at returning to Dunedin empty-handed.
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| Bonspiel Station & Old Moa Creek Hotel |
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