The 60 km section of State Highway 8 from Tarras over Lindis Pass to the Ahuriri Valley is full of dramatic scenery. A worthwhile trip, it has several points of interest. This trip starts at the south end near Tarras, at the intersection with State Highway 8A to Wānaka. The highway crosses a wide irrigated farmed plain, with the Dunstan Mountains to the east. You can look up the Clutha River valley from the roadside to the Buchanan Peaks and Mount Alta. To the northeast is a view of St Bathans Range, with seasonal snow on this distinctive flat-topped range.
From the plain, the road climbs over Cluden Hill and then drops down to the Lindis Valley and Lindis River. There are more fantastic views of St Bathans Range to the east, with 1226-metre Lindis Peak prominent to the northwest. You can detour on Old Faithful Road into Nine Mile Reserve at the valley’s north end. This contains the Lindis Hotel ruins at Goodger Flat, the site of NZ's first (very short) gold rush.
Continuing from the north end of Lindis Valley, the highway enters a 4 km canyon carved out by the river. After leaving the rugged canyon, the highway crosses another valley with Goodger Flat to the west and Georges Flat to the east.
After the flats, the highway continues to follow the river through another short canyon. Here, there is a rest stop with gold mining history by the river. The terrain opens up again before the river heads north into the mountains on the west side of the Ahuriri Valley, while the road starts its climb to Lindis Pass at 971 metres. This is one of the best drives through high mountain country in NZ, full of golden tussock. Snow occasionally affects the road, although closures are generally short.
Dropping down from the Pass, you reach the intersection with Birchwood Road, which heads into the Ahuriri Valley. The highway then follows the wide Ahuriri River plain to Omarama, with a nice north view of the Clay Cliffs.
