ALBUM - BROWNING PASS - GREENSTONE, SHEEP, GOLD TRAIL.

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DescriptionPrior to European settlement the Browning pass area was used by Maori as a pounamu (greenstone) trade route. Around the mid 1860s settlers created a stock driving track over the pass to supply goldminers on the West Coast with fresh meat from farms in Canterbury.

THE LAKE IS LAKE BROWNING.Map^[1]ContributorTony Kokshoorn

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Location (city or town)BROWNING PASSEventALBUM - BROWNING PASS - GREENSTONE, SHEEP, GOLD TRAIL.

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Date Created27th January 2025CommentsGlenn Johnston
Browning Pass got very little use as a stock route as it proved somewhat impractical. Yes it was tried! Both Harper Pass and Arthur's once it opened carried much more stock traffic. The Mathias Pass further south was also developed as a stock route and like Browning Pass was a dud route as far as stock traffic went. Amuri Pass to the north of those mentioned was a much used stock route and the earliest developed of the 1860's routes. [ I've walked to Browning Pass perhaps 30x and spent a good deal of time hunting out old track lines from different iterations of the routes to Browning Pass in the Arahura, Styx and Wilberforce catchments]

Derek Hayward
Nice to see these photos. Did a trip up to Whitehorn Pass about 1970:with the Canterbury Mountaineering Club. We were intending to go further but the weather was so bad we had to turn back. Even had a kea trying to shelter in our tent because of the bad weather.

Jim Ball
I spent 3 seasons with the Lands & Survey doing up tracks and huts up in that area. Such an enjoyable job.

Paul Godfrey
The big zag is still visible as it climbs toward the lake.
Going for gold by
Howard Keen? Is a good read.
I would like a copy if anyone have one the want to part with

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