Carrick Range access tracks: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

Rising above Bannockburn and rich in goldmining history, the Carrick Range is one of the most accessible mountain ranges in Central Otago. These tracks take you to three conservation areas and two historic reserves.

This DOC directory entry covers Carrick Range access tracks in Otago, within Bannockburn area. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.

Distance, time and grade

• Distance: Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
• Walking time: Various up to 5 hr one way
• DOC grade: Intermediate

Access and alerts

Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.

Dog access

No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

Young Australian Historic Reserve Road

Walking time: 4-5 hrDistance: 12 km one way

From the top of the Carrick Range, this road offers great views of Lake Dunstan and the Cromwell basin. This 4WD road goes through the Young Australian Historic Reserve, rich in gold mining history, as it descends in altitude from 1300 m near Duffers Saddle to 400 m at Quartzville Road.

Getting there: From the Nevis Road near Duffers Saddle, follow the Young Australian Historic Reserve Road for 4 km to the Young Australian Historic Reserve. Follow the road through the historic reserve, dropping down off the range to Quartzville Road and onto Bannockburn.

Warning! There are mine shafts in this area, stay on the formed road. The water races are privately owned, do not interfere with them.

Middle Potters Creek Track

Walking time: 40 min one way from the junction with Slapjack Saddle Track, 1 hr 30 min one way from Young Australian Historic Reserve Road along the Slapjack Saddle TrackDistance: 2.5 km from the junction with Slapjack Saddle Track

Middle Potters Track climbs to 1200 m altitude before dropping down to Potters Creek Conservation Area boundary.

Getting there: Middle Potters Track branches off Slapjack Saddle Track, 2 km from the start of Slapjack Saddle Track on the Young Australian Historic Reserve Road. It's 4.5 km along the Young Australian Historic Reserve Road (off Nevis Road, near Duffers Saddle) to the start of the Slapjack Saddle Track.

Upper Pipeclay Track

Walking time: 1 hr - 1 hr 30 min one way from Young Australian Historic Reserve RoadDistance: 4 km one way

This is a high altitude 4WD track that starts at its highest point at about 1200 m altitude. It has steep and difficult sections. It initially follows the Potters Creek Conservation Area boundary and provides access to the Long Gully/Mt Difficulty Conservation Area.

No horseriding on this track.

Getting there: Upper Pipeclay Track branches off Slapjack Saddle Track, 1 km from the start of Slapjack Saddle Track on Young Australian Historic Reserve Road. It's 4.5 km along the Young Australian Historic Reserve Road (off Nevis Road, near Duffers Saddle) to the start of the Slapjack Saddle Track.

Upper Potters Creek Track

Walking time: 2 hr one wayDistance: 7.5 km one way

This high altitude track starts at the Nevis Road at 1130 m and meanders through tussock country before reaching a junction with South Potters Track. Turn right to stay on Upper Potters Creek Track, which continues to descend, then follows a stream before climbing up to meet with the Young Australian Historic Reserve Road.

Getting there: The track starts on Nevis Road, 2.5 km west of Duffers Saddle. 4WD vehicles can also access the other end of the track - turn off Nevis Road onto the Young Australian Historic Reserve Road, and travel 4 km to the start of the track.

South Potters Creek Track

Walking time: 30 min one way from the junction with Upper Potters Creek Track, 1 hr 30 min from Nevis Road along the Upper Potters Creek TrackDistance: 2 km one way from the junction with Upper Potters Creek Track

This track meanders at around 1000 m altitude through open tussock county on a well marked farm road. From the Upper Potters Creek Track junction, the South Potters Track follows along the top of the range descending to reach the southern boundary of Potters Creek Conservation Area.

Getting there: South Potters Creek Track branches off the Upper Potters Creek Track, 3 km from the start of Upper Potters Creek Track on Nevis Road (2.5 km west of Duffers Saddle).

Four wheel driving

You can 4WD on the Young Australian Historic Reserve Road.

Know before you go

Most of the tracks in this area cross private property - stay on the tracks and roads and leave gates as you find them.

This is a very dry area with no water on the tracks - take water with you.

There are no designated campsites or huts in this area - do not camp on private land.

Remember that all rocks, historic artefacts (including earth and stone works), native plants and animals are protected on public land - tread carefully and take only photos.

Sources and reuse

Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.

The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.