The Old Dunstan Trail

The Old Dunstan Trail - History

On Nov 6th 1862, a Cole, Hoyt & Co. coach (Cobb & Co.) left Dunedin driven by John 'Happy Brad" Bradley. This was the first passenger service coach over the most direct route (between Dunedin and Clyde) to the Dunstan gold fields. The track was high and exposed to the weather but at 100 miles was about 42 miles shorter than the current alternative via the Clutha River.

At first, there were no inns or stables along the way. It took 3 days, which probably meant, the same 5 horse team was used all the way. But, it was not long before calico stables were erected and a weekly service installed. Soon, the journey was shortened to 2 days each way, then by the first week in January 1863, with 5 relays of horses and by leaving at 4am, it was possible to complete the journey to Dunstan before midnight.

By February 1863 Cobb & Co. were running 3 return trips per week. Other operators jumped in with rival services. Frank & George Quick of Quick & Co. did one trip each way. Also, James (Jimmy) Carmichael ran a conveyance to West Taieri known as the 'Diggers Express'. He was bought out by Cobb & Co. and given a billet as a driver. This he enjoyed and  after could be seen with his horses at a gallop, dashing past Quick's coach to pick up passengers right under their noses!

The rivalry must have been intense. In 1863, Cobb & Co. introduced an overnight stop at the Halfway House, signposted then simply as 'Hotel" near the summit of Rock & Pillar at nearly 1100m.

Old Dunstan Road started not as a formed road but a track made by repeated use by the station wagons and 18 seat coaches. Even now, the section of track over Rough Ridge is poorly formed and suitable only for 4WD vehicles and impassable for much of winter.

The names of the properties through which the Trail ran in the 1860's reads like a who's who of Otago pastoral history and settlement. Leaving Outram, it ran to Campbell Thomson's Rocklands Station, then to William Grieg and Robert Turnbull's Linnburn, then to Robert Murison's Puketoi and on to Dillon Bell's Ida Valley, next Galloway, owner W.Low and finally to Watson Shennan's Moutere station. Nearly all these properties still exist in name, albeit reconfigured and reduced in size by 145 years of pastoral history.

This year, 2009 it is147 years since Cobb & Co. started out. And, it's 24 years since we  (as Venture South NZ) first took clients over this historic trail. Now we are proud to offer the opportunity to explore the wide open spaces which this unique trail traverses. There is much more to talk about along the way. Inquire about departure dates or custom departures for your party only...