Don Morrison leads the Otago Goldfields Cavalcade 'Whisky
Galore' walking trail on to the Lawrence-Evans Flat section
of the Clutha Gold Trail yesterday morning. Photo by Helena
de Reus.
Walkers setting off on the first day of their Otago
Goldfields Cavalcade trek from Lawrence yesterday morning
discovered the occasion also marked the opening of a 5km
section of the Clutha Gold Trail.
Construction of the 73km Clutha Gold Cycle Trail from the
Roxburgh Dam to Lawrence, on the opposite side of the river
to the Roxburgh Gorge trail, began at the start of last year.
Trail trust chairman Rod Peirce said the group was happy the
section's opening coincided with the cavalcade.
The 5km section stretches from Lawrence to Cockleshell Rd at
Evans Flat.
About 50 people are taking part in the cavalcade's ''Whisky
Galore'' walking trail, which began in Lawrence yesterday,
winding up to Beaumont, through Black Gully, to arrive in
Tapanui on Saturday in time for the cavalcade's grand parade.
Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan said the number of walkers opening
the trail was ''magnificent''.
The Clutha Gold Trail has a $5.5 million budget, including
$3.8 million from the Government.
The Lawrence to Evans Flat leg of the trail is all on private
land. Mr Peirce said farmers gave the trust easements for the
trail.
The 13km section from the dam to Pinders Pond was complete
except for a bridge over the Teviot River, which is expected
to be put in place next week. The trust planned to open the
trail in sections to allow public use before an official
opening of the entire trail by spring.
- helena.dereus@odt.co.nz
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