Conroys Gully: Gold, a Walk and a Dam
Conroys Gully lies in the dry hills just southwest of Alexandra in Central Otago, a short 10–15 minute drive from town. It is one of the most accessible places to see the old gold tailings, stone water races, and sluiced hillsides that shaped this region in the 1860s. The river terraces, thyme-covered slopes, and exposed schist outcrops create a landscape that feels expansive, warm, and open.
Landscape of Schist and Dry Hill Slopes
Conroys Dam sits at the head of the valley, forming a reflective reservoir among the hills, which is particularly striking early or late in the day when the water mirrors the sky. The reservoir is small enough to feel sheltered, but large enough to break up the dry country with colour.
Further down the gully, the terrain opens into the broad, stony wash of the old mining works. The exposed layers of schist and gravel make it easy to see how even small streams were redirected and carved to reach hidden pockets of gold.
Walks and Outdoor Exploration
A looped walking track heads southwest along the stream valley, following a 4WD road into the historic water races, starting from the picnic and parking area. Allow 90 minutes for this track. Shorter wanderings around the dam edge take around 20–40 minutes.
History and Culture
Conroys Gully itself is named for the Conroy brothers, who established mining claims here during the gold rush of the 1860s. The gully filled quickly with diggers, who cut water races across the hillsides to feed sluicing operations. The stacked stone tailings seen today are the direct result of that work, forming one of the most intact dry gully mining landscapes in the district. The dam was later constructed in 1935, a Great Depression project, for irrigation, supporting the orchards and vineyards that define the Alexandra basin today.
How to Get There
From Alexandra, follow State Highway 8 south toward Butchers Gully for a short distance, then turn right onto Conroys Road, 400 metres past the main access to the gully. After 1.5 km, turn left onto the gravel Conroys Dam road and drive to the parking area at the end.
Nearby places to explore include Roxburgh, Mitchells Cottage, Fraser Dam, Hawkdun Road and Clyde.
