New Chum Gully Track in Arrowtown is a spectacular hike, especially in Autumn when the colours of the many deciduous trees and shrubs are stunning. The track crosses Glencoe Station and connects the Arrow Gorge Track to Tobins Track. However, in contrast to these two tracks, New Chum is a much rougher tramping track that takes extra care in some places. Avoid wet or snowy weather, and reasonable hiking shoes or boots are strongly recommended.
You can start the track from either end, but we would suggest going clockwise from Arrowtown along the Arrow Gorge Track. Just beyond the start of the Sawpit Gully Track, you will see the Norman Smith Bridge across the Arrow River. New Chum Gully Track starts from the side of the Macetwon Road on the other side of the bridge.
The start of the track is the trickiest section, with a very steep, narrow and worn ascent, with drops in some places. Descending this section is not as easy as ascending, especially with the Arrow Gorge lying up to 100 metres below you; at least the views are fabulous!
After climbing out of the gorge, the track becomes easier, passing over a ridge into New Chum Gully with a gentle drop down to where it crosses the stream. There is another narrow section as it rises up the side of the cliff on the south side of the gully, but generally the edge is protected by mostly deciduous shrubs and trees, with spectacular colours in Autumn. You can’t even see the stream 40 metres below! There is a short, sharp climb out of the gully onto a longer ridge, with fabulous views of the Wakatipu Basin in several places. From there, it is an easy, mostly downhill walk to Tobins Track. Tobins Track takes you to the Arrow River Walk and back to Arrowtown.
If you do start from Tobins Track, take care as you approach the top of the ridge. The track splits without a track name sign, and although a detailed map is located near the intersection, it did not seem to align with Topo Map NZ. Stay left (uphill) unless you want to add an extra 7 km to the walk via the New Chum Ridge.
The track is associated with early gold mining in the area. Miners established claims in the area in 1863, drawn by the gully’s intersecting with the Arrow River.
The hike is approximately 1.5 hours from the Arrow Gorge to Tobins Track. Add another hour for the full loop from Arrowtown.
