Exploring Cardrona
Nestled in the Cardrona Valley between Queenstown and Wānaka, Cardrona is a small hamlet known for its historic charm and scenic beauty. To the east are the Criffel Range and Pisa Range, and to the west a series of peaks dominated by Mt Cardrona at just under 2,000 metres.
Today, the hamlet is famous for the Cardrona Hotel, one of New Zealand's oldest pubs, and the nearby ski field. The hotel once served as a crucial stop on the challenging stagecoach route from Queenstown over the Crown Range to Wānaka. Cardrona was also one of many places where gold was discovered in 1862, leading to a rush and active extraction from the Cardrona River gravels for about 50 years.
Today, Cardrona is gradually expanding, with more houses and holiday homes appearing in the valley each year. Near the town, you will also find the famous bra fence, road and track access to the Pisa Range and the Cardrona Distillery.
Gold Mining History
Gold was discovered in the Cardrona Valley in November 1862 by Michael Grogan and his party. About 1,000 people were there within a week. It is estimated that up to 3,000 men worked claims at the peak, although numbers quickly fell to 300 in a couple of years.
The initial phase focused on alluvial gold, with miners panning and ground-sluicing the creeks and flats near the present-day township. You can still see the evidence of this in the cliffs on the far side of the river. As surface gravels were exhausted, operations shifted to hydraulic sluicing, using extensive water-race systems on the hillsides, and later to dredging on the valley floor, requiring more equipment and fewer men. By 1910, intensive gold activity was over.
Historic Sites and Scenic Walks
Begin your exploration of Cardrona from the car park opposite the hotel. A short walk will take you to the Cardrona River, where you can view the historic gold diggings. Craggy small peaks along the riverbank characterise these. Next, walk to the small historic church and school, which offer a glimpse into the area's past. Conclude your visit with a meal or drink at the Cardrona Hotel, where you can enjoy a step back in time.
How to Get There
To reach Cardrona, take the Crown Range Road from either State Highway 6, east of Lake Hayes or from Wānaka. The hamlet is situated approximately halfway between the highway and Wānaka, and it takes about 30 minutes from either direction. This scenic drive crosses a pass at 1,080 metres with spectacular mountain and valley views.
In addition to exploring nearby Queenstown and Wānaka, the region's premier tourist towns, you can visit Arrowtown or take a loop trip, returning via the Kawarau Gorge with stops in Bannockburn and Cromwell, all locations of gold mania in the early 1860s.
