The Manuherikia

Starting Point 1st Galloway Bridge

Introduction

The Manuherikia River is usually quite low in the summer. An enjoyable few hours can be spent walking in the wide gravelly willow lined river bed, crossing and re-crossing at will. The water is warm and the fords seldom more than calf deep. The river holds a good number of small (average 1/2 lb) brown trout. The walk links up several popular swimming holes in the Galloway area. For those with more time, the walk can be extended to end at Chatto Creek, on the Alexandra-Omakau highway. During the winter or after rain the river is quite a sizeable stream and may be difficult to ford. This walk should only be attempted during low (mid-summer) flows.

Walking times - approximate.

• 1st Galloway Bridge to 2nd Galloway Bridge 1 hour
• 2nd Galloway Bridge to Olrig Station 3/4 hour
• Olrig Station to Chatto Creek 2 hours

Legal Access

The bed of the river and a 20m wide access strip on either bank is public land. There is a legal road from Olrig Station to the old Railway bridge, but the formed vehicle track does not follow the surveyed road line.

Maps

1:50,000 topographical map, sheet G42, Alexandra. Available from Department of Conservation, Alexandra and local booksellers.

Route Guide

1st Galloway Bridge - Olrig

See map for road access from Alexandra. There is a good swimming hole, just upstream from the bridge. On the opposite bank are bluffs of eroded clay - deposited in the distant geological past beneath a freshwater lake. An hour or so's splashing up the river brings one to the remains of the Second Galloway Bridge, where there is a good swimming hole and picnic spot. It is another 1/2 to 3/4 hour to the very attractive Olrig swimming hole which has grassy shaded picnic areas lining the river bank. The swimming hole is actually a major irrigation offlake formed by a sheet pile dam across part of the river bed. Road access to this spot is across private land (Olrig Station). Access is freely available, courtesy of the owners, to family groups. No dogs or motorbikes please. There is a "long drop" toilet here. On the drive back to Alexandra it is worth stopping to look at the historic Galloway Station homestead from the road. Watson Shennan, the Alexandra district's first pioneer, took up this run in 1858 (four years before the gold rush). The beautiful old stone homestead was built in 1863. Notice the fine group of outbuildings, classic examples of Central Otago stone-built architecture.

Olrig - Chatto Creek

From the Olrig swimming hole there are three alternatives: 1, continue up the main river bed; 2, walk along the line of the old railway track; or 3, a vehicle track on Olrig Station land can be followed beside the river. Permission to walk in this track must be sought from Mr Ritchie Stephens (Alexandra 448-7823). After an hour or so the old railway line crosses the Manuherikia. The river disappears into a deep rocky gorge upstream. Leave the river here and follow the rail line to SH 85 at Chatto Creek (1.5 to 2 hours). The old rail bridges are still usable. A cool beer at the Chatto Creek pub is the ideal way to end the walk while waiting for transport back to Alexandra.