Falls Dam

Vanishing Into an Off-The-Grid SunsetA remote corrugated iron bach sits in Otago region, the minimalist landscape easily distinguished by its restrained colour palette.For many of those crammed and trapped in their urban prisons this once unthinkable lifestyle, given the situational factors, can and will become a viable one.It turns out, the notion of an everlasting indestructible civilisation we inhabit is based on a promise.

Every time we go to Falls Dam it's a different experience. There are two different roads that access this conservation area: There is a road that leads to the dam and spillway but from there you can't go any further as the road turns into a private farm track. The other side of the reservoir is accessible through the Oteake Conservation Area and in the summer the Wedderburn entrance would be possible with a decent two-wheel drive. There are a couple of fords but they are shallow. The other end of this road goes as far as St Bathans and this section is only for four-wheel drives as it crosses the Manuherikia river. Occasionally this road gets graded so the ruts are generally not too bad. The Oteake road takes you close to the Hawkdun Range and the views are spectacular. There are some anglers' huts, for the rainbow trout, which are very photogenic. The level of the reservoir gets very low in the summer and you can walk a long way out as the ground is quite firm.

Stunning spot.

Quiet place and beautiful walk around the lake in the morning

As expected a well maintained shingle road in but well worth the effort. The scenery was spectacular and the engineering a credit to those who created what's there. Enjoy

Classic Central experience - from, the drive in, the landscape to the fishing (smallish trout but enough of them).You can access most of the shore line.Cops the weather.

Winter wonderland.

Hay que pasar si o si

Rough road in. Don't go up the last hill near the dam unless in a 4WD as there is very limited turning and it's quite steep going down to a locked gate.