Government Track Details

Riding area

Otago
My City
AKA

Waipori Gorge Track
Difficulty rating

Blue rate
Trail type

Singletrack
Bike type

AM, XC
Trail Usage

Biking Primary
Direction

Both Directions
Popular direction shown
Season

Any time, but gets a bit grim if very wet.
TTFs on trail

Other
Global Ranking

#56369
Land Manager

Department of Conservation

The track entrance is 5 km down Waipori Falls Rd on
the right; parking is 100 m further on the left. Traversing the slopes of the beech-and mānuka-forested Waipori Valley south of Dunedin, the Government Track was built in the 1860s to provide access to the central goldfields. For mountain bikers there is an option of riding up and returning the same way. Alternatively, once at the top follow the pylon track left and steeply down into Waipori township, then follow the road back to the start.

Access Info

From the flood free SH1, turn onto the Henley-Berwick Road. At Berwick School turn right, then left onto Waipori Falls Road.

Shortly before you reach the first bridge across the Waipori River, you'll see a DOC sign "Government Track" on the right. There is a car park 100m further on the left if you need it.

The track starts with a short push up a steep section of switchback track. The old pack track begins to sidle along the flank of the Waipori Valley, and from here, it's an easy grade for riding. There are a few creek crossings you will have to carry your bike over and the track can be muddy at times, sometimes with stinging nettles and windfalls. When you reach the top you can choose which way you go back to the car park.

Local Trail Association

Mountain Biking Otago (www.mountainbikingotago.co.nz)
Please consider joining or donating to the local riding association to support trail development & maintenance.
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More Stats for Government Track mountain bike trail

Altitude change

-8 ft
Altitude min

84 ft
Altitude max

1,645 ft
Altitude start

127 ft
Altitude end

120 ft
Grade

-0.014%
Grade max

-48.876%
Grade min

49.408%
Distance climb

5 miles
Distance down

5 miles
Distance flat

1,401 ft
Avg time

03:22:54
view trail stats

	date	description
	Jan 16, 2018 @ 7:48pm Jan 16, 2018	Most enjoyable 900m climb, gentle gradient. Quite a lot of fallen trees but easily passed in the main. Far too much nettle and can't be...
	Dec 2, 2017 @ 11:40pm Dec 2, 2017	Track in reasonable condition, quite a bit of stinging nettle half way up and above, can’t be avoided up or down in places, bit of tree fall but...
	Dec 2, 2017 @ 11:38pm Dec 2, 2017	Track in reasonable condition, watch for stinging nettle from about halfway up, can’t be avoided in places, bit of dead fall, tracks round,...
	Dec 19, 2016 @ 11:45am Dec 19, 2016	reporter Track is in pretty good nick. Some stinging nettles, and the usual trees down that need to be clambered over. Super fun though.

Government Track