Access to the Mount Crichton Loop Track is about 15 km out of Queenstown. This loop walk is quite a unique experience as it combines a beautiful bush and river gorge walk with gold mining history and remnants on the western side of the loop, then an outlook and access to Lake Dispute on the eastern side. All in one nice package that can be completed in around two hours.
The highlights include the historical Sam Summers Hut, located in a beech forest by a stunning waterfall. It is a literal leap back to a past life that was both simpler and tougher!
The gold mining remnants on the western side of the loop are also clearly evident, with a scooped-out gully created by water blasting in the 1800s, tailings and a narrow tail race tunnel.
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