Getting There:
Mt Cargill is an easy 10 minute drive from the central city. Access is gained via Cowan Rd, be careful to dodge the pot holes on the ungraded road. The starting point of the walk is beside the signal tower and is 676m in elevation. There is a poorly sign-posted parking area just prior to the summit, but I always drive past it and park up under the signal tower.
View from Mt Cargill out beyond Butters Peak to the Otago Harbour and Otago Peninsula.
View from start of walk from Mt Cargill to Organ Pipes. Plenty of haze in the air on this warm sunny day in Dunedin.
The walk:
The walking track starts near the signal tower and is easy to follow. Follow the path toward Butters Peak. Butters Peak is an excellent place to stop, but as I was returning the same way I decided to visit it on the way back. Just keep walking past Butters Peak. I have been spending a bit of time in the Catlins recently so have been a bit spoilt with stunning rainforest bush. The bush on this walk is not on the same level, rather more dry and spindly in character. After about 30 minutes walk you will arrive at the Organ Pipes
The distinctive Organ Pipes of Dunedin.
The Organ Pipes are a fascinating geological feature, and are fun rocks to climb over. Scramble up them and find some good spots to enjoy the view and take a break from the hectic pace of the world.
Organ Pipes, Dunedin, NZ.
Organ Pipes, Dunedin, NZ.
The walk back is more or less slightly uphill. So, stopping at Butters peak for a breather is highly recommended. The views from Butters Peak are sensational and I rate this location as one of my favourite places in Dunedin.
View of Blue Skin Bay and Karitane from Butters Peak.
View of Otago Harbour and the Otago Peninsula from Butters Peak.
View from Butters Peak to the Otago Peninsula.
Butters Peak rock formation.
View from Butters Peak to Mt Cargill and the signal tower where the walk started.
The walk back to Mt Cargill takes about 20 minutes and is mostly uphill. I just like to think of it as a nice bit of exercise.
Handsome looking steps are part of the last push to reach the summit of Mt Cargill.
Back to the start again, Mt Cargill signal tower.
The Mt Cargill to Organ Pipe walk is a nice way to spend a couple of hours in Dunedin. Another great day out in Dunedin.
