Walk Details
NZ Walking Routes > Otago > Cromwell > Carricktown – Young Australian Waterwheel
Carricktown – Young Australian Waterwheel
- Location
- The Carrick Range and Goldfields are south of Bannockburn and can be reached at the end of Schoolhouse Road, near the old mining area of Quartzville. Carricktown is 4km up the four-wheel drive track .
- Description
The primary recreational attraction of the Carrick Range is the widespread evidence of former gold mining activity,consisting of settlement and mining sites.‘Quartzville’ at the base of the range was the site of a shortlived town. From there a steep 450 m climb up an old wagon road leads to ‘Carricktown’ where stone-walled ruins provide evidence of this unofficial town. Nearby, large opencast cuts, spoil heaps, a few underground workings and battery
foundations indicate the main reef area.A further 300 m up the range at the head of Adams Gully, are the ‘Young Australian Company’ workings. A 7.9 m iron and timber water wheel and a 5-stamp battery provide the focus of
interest for the visitor. Access is either by foot or 4WD vehicle.The Young Australian water-wheel (20 foot overshot wheel) can be found a further 3km on. The water-wheel was dragged up the mountain in 1874 and used to drive a stamping battery, which now stands on the opposite side of the valley. Between them are a few abandoned huts.
- Duration
- 5.0 hours
- Level
- Hard
- Amenities
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- Birds
- Historical
- Lookouts
- Mountain Biking / Biking
- Plant Life
- Tramping
- Source
- www.nzsouth.co.nz
- Discussion
- Start a discussion on this walk