This track bisects the Dunstan Mountains and follows the route that led from the Manuherikia Valley to the gold mines of Bendigo in the Upper Clutha Valley. It starts at Glassford Road near the old gold mining town of Matakanui and winds its way up through the gorge and over the 900m saddle into the Bendigo area. On the eastern side of the range the views back towards the Hawkdun Range and beyond are unique and awe inspiring. Then you are plunged in to history as Thomsons Creek is followed, with gold workings all the way to the top. A pleasant place to stop in this area is a stone hut just off the main track, built in 1908 to shelter the drovers and travelers on their arduous journey to and fro the goldfields. At the saddle crossing the panorama to the west opens out and stunning scenery along the short traverse of the Dunstan Range crest affords magnificent views over the upper Clutha Valley towards Lakes Wanaka and Hawea, and the Southern Alps. From this high point the trail winds down through the Rise and Shine Valley to meet State Highway 8 at the Lindis River bridge. Again, you travel through a gold field that was once home to many and bustling with activity. Few reminders remain but a feature that still exists is the Come In Time gold stamper, signposted from the track. A short walk takes you down past the tunnel entrance (take a torch and explore) to the restored stamper battery. This magnificent structure remains as a reminder of the scale of the works carried out here. The bike track is approx. 30 km and is a 140 km round trip from Alexandra. This is a good surface 4WD track which may be very greasy if wet. There are a few small streams to cross and there are two steep climbs and two fast descents. Please leave all gates open or shut as you find them on this intermediate grade route.