Tobins Track is a historic gravelled road that linked the miners of Arrowtown to the Crown Terrace, then across the Crown Range to Cardrona and Wānaka. It is a 250-metre climb, continuously uphill and takes about 30 minutes to walk to the top. The lower part of the walk is shrouded by deciduous trees that are stunning in Autumn. After a few minutes, it becomes more open, with the views expanding with every step. By the time you reach the top, with a welcoming seat, the views are expansive, covering the Wakatipu Basin and surrounding mountains.
Halfway up Tobins Track, on the left-hand side, lies the entrance to New Chum Gully Track. This is a much rougher tramping track that loops over the ridge and down into New Chum Gully, then connects with the Arrow Gorge Track. Allow two to three hours if you are doing this as a loop from Arrowtown.
There is an excellent panel at the start of the track that explains the geology, historical Māori presence and the development of the track. It was developed in the 1870s as part of the bridal path to Wānaka by Thomas Tobin. Tobin was Irish and arrived during the gold rush of the 1860s. He initially lived in Macetown, then moved to Arrowtown and won the contract to build the track. He built a cottage and lived with his family 300 metres up the track from the bridge. A carin marks the location as you pass by, and there are some signs of the house amongst the deciduous trees and leaf fall.
If you want to do more from the top of Tobins Track, you can climb Mount Beetham, a further 250 meters uphill. Continue along the gravel road to find a poled route. You can also return to the south end of the Arrow River Trail on the much steeper Tobins Drop tramping track.
You can access the track from Tobins Bridge on the Arrow River Trail, or by parking a car at the end of Ford Street in Arrowtown, next to O’Callaghan Park.
