DOC Parks
Canterbury Region
DOC manages a number of large conservation areas, and parks in the Canterbury Region. The DOC website rarely provides good information for riders, so we look for additional information to add, and your photos!
Great website, from local riders who are active advocates for horse riding
Ahuriri Valley
The Ahuriri Valley is suitable for horse riding from the start of the 4WD track.
Birchwood Road end to Shamrock Hut - 4 km
The track to Shamrock Hut is generally well-formed but you will need to cross Canyon Creek on the way. There may be the odd washed-out ford to negotiate.
Shamrock Hut to Hagens Hut - 6 km
After Shamrock Hut the track descends towards Ahuriri River. To avoid crossing the river, hug the true right riverbank and make your own way to the hut - there is no formed track. Otherwise, cross the river and use the a well-formed track on the true left of the river. You will need to cross the Ahuriri River again to reach Hagens Hut.
Getting There
Turn off SH8 onto Birchwood Road, 17 km south of Omarama. The turnoff is signposted for Ahuriri Conservation Park. The road is suitable for cars until the conservation park boundary 21 km down Birchwood Road. After that a high clearance 4WD vehicle is required to travel the 12 km to the road end.
St James Conservation Area
Formerly St James Station, this 78000ha station is now open for public recreation. Tramping, horse riding and cycling are all permitted. You can take horses throughout most of St James Conservation Area, with the exception of the St James Walkway and the privately fenced land around Ada Homestead. Leave gates closed at all times. Holding pens are provided at the St James Homestead and Fowlers Hut entrances, as well as at or near Scotties, Stanley Vale, Christopher and Anne huts. The famous St James horse herd may be encountered in the Henry, Waiau and Ada river valleys; keep your distance and be aware of the stallion.
Getting There
From Hamner Springs Town, take the Jacks Pass Road up hill, over Jacks Pass and down to the "T" intersection adjacent to the Clarence River, turn left, follow this road a further 4 odd Kilometres to the St James Homestead site.
drinkable water , safe parking area, picnic area, tie-rails (hitching rails), shade, marked trails, map(s)
May need 4WD to tow horse float / park if grass is slippery.
For individual tracks within St James Conservation area Download a pdf brochure
Access
Eastern – Mesopotamia Access to the eastern side of the park is via Rangitata Gorge Road. Four-wheel drive access is possible beyond Bush Stream car park, up the Rangitata and Havelock rivers. Note: Drivers must take great care on these demanding rivers as the track is not marked or defined. River-crossing and four-wheel driving skills are essential.
Western – Two Thumb Range and Sibbald Range Lilybank Road from Lake Tekapo provides access to Boundary Stream, Roundhill Ski Area road and Coal River. From the Lilybank Road end, four-wheel drive is needed to access the Macaulay and Godley riverbeds.
Southern – North Opuha From Fairlie follow Clayton Road towards Fox Peak ski field for easy access onto the tops.
Two Thumb Range - Coal River Easement
Recent improvements to access thanks to Horse Trails South Trust and High Country Pleasure Riders Club.
The Public Easement at the Coal River is now open for horse traffic without any locked gates on it. Unimpeded access to the Two Thumb Range.
To get there
Turn right straight after the Coal River Bridge at Mt Gerald Station (Lilybank Rd) to access the carpark .
Its a fabulous ride to Camp Stream Hut,well within the bounds of the average horse and rider .
McCauley Hut Track - 18kms one way
This track is at the northern end of Lake Tekapo. At Tekapo, turn off SH8 onto Lilybank Road (a gravel road) and travel to the end.
To reach the start of the track you need to cross Macaulay River first. This can be a difficult crossing in periods of high rainfall or snowmelt. Another option is to leave your vehicle at the end of Lilybank Road in the designated parking area and cross the river on foot. Keep to the 4WD track initially as this is a public access easement through private farmland. Further up valley when you're in Te Kahui Kaupeka Conservation Park, you are free to roam in the riverbed area.
McCauley Hut is available on a first come, first served basis. approx 5hrs one way
This hut is owned and managed by Mackenzie Alpine Trust - Lake Tekapo.
A recommended donation of $10 can be left in the iron post outside the hut.
McCauley Hut
Hakatere Conservation Area
There are a number of different access points into Hakatere Conservation Park:
Ashburton Gorge Road - Stour River and Mount Barrosa.
Hakatere Potts Road - Lake Emma (Kirihonuhonu), Lake Clearwater (Te Puna a Taka), Mount Sunday or Mount Potts.
Hakatere Heron Road - Buicks Bridge, Maori Lakes (Ō Tū Wharekai), Lake Emily, Lake Heron (Ō Tū Roto) and Cameron River.
Blackford Road / Double Hill Run Road - Mount Hutt Range, Redcliffe Scenic Reserve, Turtons Saddle, Double Hill and the Palmer Range
Lake Emily, Stour River
Lake Emily gives good access to Manuka Hut (basic, 6 bunks), making it a potential family day walk or overnighter. Lake Emily also gives access on old farm tracks to Stour Bridge car park.
Do not take mountain bikes or horses on the Te Araroa route from Lake Emily to Manuka Hut as it is steep and easily damaged. For mountain bike or horse access to Manuka Hut, continue down the Stour River past the Te Araroa junction for a further 2.5 km before turning left.
Stour River
There is easy access to Lake Emily and Manuka Hut from the car park at Stour Bridge. The track follows the Stour River. Stour Bridge car park to Lake Emily 15 km
If you go off track, watch out for live ammunition. This land was once used for army training, and there may still be live ammunition lying around. If you see any suspicious items, do not handle them. If possible, note the location and inform the police as soon as possible.
Buicks Bridge
Buicks Bridge car park is a popular starting point for horse trekkers, and those walking Te Araroa and or heading to Boundary Creek Hut.
Boundary Creek Hut (built between 1902 and 1906) offers basic accommodation and has 8 bunks. The hut once marked the boundary between the winter and summer grazing blocks on the old Hakatere Station. A concrete floor was built in the mid 1950s as the hut was renowned for its rats!
An alternative access to this area follows a 4WD track for 4.6 km to Paddle Hill Creek. The entrance to the track is on the western side of Hakatere Heron Road, about 1.8 km from Hakatere corner.