The second part of the Old Dunstan Rd is through even
rougher country. The landscape is rockier and sharper, with large schist
outcrops. Matagouri mingles with the tussock as you climb to the Rough
Ridge at 1000m. From here the view is barren and treeless, rough hills
interspersed with swamps and waterways.
Descending from the ridge you
pass Poolburn Reservoir, another irrigation dam. Fishermen's 'cribs' are a
good sign, but the only shelter for camping comes from big rocks. The road
is better from here, a legacy of the need to bring heavy machinery in to
build the irrigation dam.
Along parts of the route you
will see the odd stone fencepost - these are common in the more barren
parts of Central Otago because there were no trees for making timber
posts.
