Exploring Goodger Road in Otago
Goodger Road is a picturesque route in Otago, New Zealand, branching off State Highway 8 in the Lindis Valley and leading towards the Chain Hills. This road is surrounded by green, irrigated farmland, set against the backdrop of golden tussock-covered hills and mountains rising to 800-900 metres. At the far end of the flats, the towering St Bathans Range, exceeding 2,000 metres. With snow during Winter, the range provides a stunning contrast to the 1,000-metre Chain Hills.
Access to Hiking and Biking Tracks
Depending on the season and road conditions, Goodger Road provides access to several DOC hiking and mountain biking tracks around the Chain Hills. These tracks can be reached after passing through Shirlmar Station.
It's advisable to check the status of Goodger Road in advance to ensure access. At the time of writing, a 4WD was required to reach the Tim Burn car park at the base of the Chain Hills. An information panel at the car park shows the surrounding tracks, with several tracks that explore the Chain Hills and Dunstan Creek area.
Following a Loop
The Shirlmar Track is a 9 km, 2–2.5 hour one-way route climbing the Tim Burn east into the tussocks up to 1,000 metres on the Chain Hills before descending into Dunstan Creek. At the top of the Chain Hills, after 5.5 km, you can connect with the Chain Hills Track and walk south for 5 km (1.5 hours) along the undulating ridgeline to connect with the Long Acre Track. From there, you can head west back to Pleasant Valley, another 5 km, then walk north on a damaged section of Goodger Road to return to the car park for about 3.5 km. Longer walks include a walk to Dunstan Pass and the Lauder Conservation Area.
Getting to Goodger Road
To reach Goodger Road, travel along State Highway 8 between Tarras and Lindis Pass. The Lindis Valley and turnoff are 90 minutes, 111 km from Queenstown, and 50 minutes and 63 km from Omarama.
Nearby, you can also stop on Cluden Hill for the views, explore gold mining history around the Lindis River and visit Nine Mile Reserve and Lindis Pass Hotel.
