FRASER DAM \ OMEO GULLY

Starting Point Blackman's Road, Earnscleugh

Introduction

While the formerly pleasant picnic areas at the Fraser Dam and Omeo Gully have been destroyed by modern gold mining operations, some worthwhile walks can still be made, exploring the northern end of the Old Man Range. These walks are lower and less exposed to the weather than the Fruitlands walks that start from Symes Road and the Waikaia Bush Road, but some physical fitness is still required.

Legal Access

The Fraser Dam access road and the Omeo Gully road are both legal public roads. The bed of the Fraser River and a 20m wide access strip on either side is public land. Elsewhere permission must be sought from Mr Alistair Campbell (Earnscleugh Station). Phone Alexandra (03) 448-6688.

Walking Times Fraser River:

• Fraser Dam to Rough Creek 2.5-3.5 hours
• Rough Creek to Huts 1.5-2 hours
• Huts to Fraser Dam 3 hours
• Omeo Creek:
• Road end to Hut 3 hours
• Hut to rock 1 hour

These times are a guide only

Map 1:50,000 G42 (Alexandra). Available at Department of Conservation, Alexandra and from local booksellers.

Route Guide Fraser River:

The Fraser Dam road is normally negotiable in all but the depths of winter. About 300m before the dam itself, turn off on to a rough dirt road which ends at the head of the lake. The mouth of the Fraser River is one of the better fishing spots on the Lake. The lake is used as a storage for a hydro electric station and the Earnscleugh Flats Irrigation Scheme. The walk starts a few hundred metres up the river at an automatic water level recorder. Keep to the river bed. Some surprisingly large (and hard to catch) brown trout are found in the gorge. They are very seldom fished for. This route cannot be done when the river is in flood. Eventually the junction with Rough Creek on the true right (ie, looking downstream) bank is reached. From here either follow up Rough Creek itself or else leave the creek and follow up a spur on the true right. There is a 500m climb up to a couple of huts where a 4WD track crosses Rough Creek. The creek is well named, tumbling and rushing down a series of cascades. The huts, the property of Earnscleugh Station, are sited in a small sheltered hollow. From here follow the 4WD track down a leading spur. Where the track branches off the spur, leave it and continue back down to the Fraser Dam. There is no marked route on this section. Alternatively, stay on the 4WD track to where it meets the Fraser Dam access road, about six kilometres from the Dam. An interesting alternative is to continue for two kilometres past Rough Creek to a large cascade in the Fraser. An old water race is followed back to the slopes above the Fraser Dam (see map).

Omeo Gully:

From the end of the road (just beyond the sheep yards) follow a 4WD track through a ford. Just past the ford leave the main track and follow up a spur on the true right of Omeo Creek. After a short climb another rough 4WD track will be picked up. Follow this up the spur for a 800m climb. There are extensive views up the Manuherikia Valley. The track reaches a large swampy flat where there is an old musterers' hut and some weathered, derelict sheep yards and remains of a sheep dip. This old hut is typical of many in the Otago high country that are now no longer used, due to the advent of the 4WD vehicle. The hut makes a good lunch stop, before leading back down to the car. For those with more time and energy a large rock outcrop, about 300 metres above the hut is a worthwhile extension to the walk. There are good views of the surrounding rock strewn landscape and into the head-waters of the Omeo Creek.