Silverstream

Coal Creeks Circuit

Go up the road and along the Steve Amies Track to Trig Q. From there, head along the Little Coal Creek Track to the water-race on Racemans Track. Turn right along the Racemans Track for about 20 minutes before going up the hill via the North Coal Creek Track and then Little Coal Creek Track to Trig Q. Parts of these tracks are steep - beware of sheer drops!

Classification - Route.
Time - 4 - 4.5 hours return
Parking - At the locked gate on Swampy Summit Road 12.

McRaes Weir Circuit

Follow the road to the swing bridge over the Silver Stream. Follow the Racemans Track until you first see the water-race. From there, turn right along the McRaes Weir Track and follow the water-race to McRaes Stream and weir. Cross the stream.

To get to the weir, turn left and follow a short track for a couple of minutes. Retrace your steps to the main track and head down the Tunnel Track, past an old workers' hut. Continue along the water-race past a short tunnel until you get to a sign that returns you to the swing bridge.

Classification - Hard.
Time - 2 - 2.5 hours return
Parking - at the Powder Creek Carpark

Picnic Area and Trig Q

Walk up the road for 20 minutes to the Steve Amies Track. Head along this track and enjoy an easy five-minute trip along a grassy ridge to the picnic area. You will be rewarded with expansive views of native forest, the Taieri Plain and the Silver Peaks. Trig Q is a further five minutes along the ridge. Take your lunch and enjoy a picnic in the sunshine.

This circuit is on an exposed ridge. Check the weather forecast and ensure you have adequate clothing. A lookout is 20 minutes (one way) from the Trig Q along the Little Coal Creek Track. Care is needed, as there is a vertical fall to the forest below.

Classification - moderate.
Time - 1 - 1.5 hour return
Parking - At the locked gate on Swampy Summit Road

Powder Creek Circuit

Follow the road to the swing bridge over the Silver Stream. Follow the Racemans Track for about 1.5 hours until you reach the Powder Creek Track on your left. Head down this track, cross the Silver Stream and head back toward the bottom weir along the other side of the valley. This circuit involves five stream crossings and passes through several grassy glades.

Powder Creek apparently got its name after the discovery of fine gold dust in the stream.

Classification - Hard.
Time - 2 - 2.5 hours return
Parking - the Powder Creek Carpark

Racemans Track Circuit

Follow the road, to the swing bridge over the Silver Stream. This relatively flat circuit takes you up the Silver Stream Valley and along the upper section of the water race to its source at the top weir. Next to the track are the ruins of huts used by the workers who maintained the water race. At the top of the track retrace your path to the Powder Creek Carpark.

Alternatively, on your return journey join the Powder Creek Track and head back to the bottom weir along the other side of the Silver Stream.

Time - 4 - 4.5 hours return
Classification - hard
Parking - The Powder Creek Carpark

Rain Gauge Circuit

This circuit starts the same as Coal Creeks Circuit to Trig Q. Continue along the Little Coal Creek Track and down North Coal Creek Track to the water-race in the Silver Stream valley. Turn right and follow the Racemans Track and water-race to the top weir. Climb the long and steep Rain Gauge Spur Track back to Swampy Summit Road. Parts of this circuit are steep - beware of sheer drops!

In the days when the water-race was operating, rainfall was recorded in a rain gauge on this track.

The Rain Gauge Spur Track is classified as a 'route'. Some of this track is along an exposed ridge. Visibility is poor in bad weather and the track is not well marked. Ensure you have adequate clothing.

Time - 4.5 - 5 hours return
Classification - route
Parking - At the locked gate on Swampy Summit Road 12.

Steve Amies Track Circuit

This circuit starts the same as the Coal Creeks Circuit. However, at Trig Q, turn left, continuing down the Steve Amies Track, gradually descending a long ridge into the Silver Stream Valley. Turn right and follow the Racemans Track and water-race for 1 hour. At Little Coal Creek Track climb back to Trig Q and then the road. Parts of these tracks are steep - beware of sheer drops!

This circuit was named after the late Steve Amies, founder of the groups that re-opened and maintain these tracks.

Time - 4 - 4.5 hours return
Classification - hard
Parking - At the locked gate on Swampy Summit Road 12.

Tunnel Circuit

This circuit is the same as the McRaes Weir Circuit, but continues along the water race on the Tunnel Track past a 262m tunnell. After a short climb you gently descend to Whare Creek and emerge onto Flagstaff-Whare Flat Road. Slightly upstream before you cross Whare Creek are the remains of fluming where the water-race went under the stream. Turn right at the road and head past the old Whare Flat School back to the carpark. Be careful walking along the road as cars can suddenly appear.

Children of the water-race workers used part of the Tunnel Track to get from their homes in the Silver Stream area to the Whare Flat School.