DOC Parks

Otago Region

Oteake Conservation Area

Visit the DOC Website for this park

This area crosses across the Canterbury and Otago Regions. There are several access points to Oteake Conservation Park on both the Otago and Canterbury sides

All marked tracks are suitable for horse riding, mountain biking and walking (with the exception of Little Kye Burn Track, which is for walking only). There are many unmarked tracks in the park for those on foot, horse or mountain bike. These require good route-finding and backcountry skills

Several routes cross private land on registered easements. Respect this and keep to the formed tracks.  Oteake is great for multi-day horse expeditions, with holding paddocks situated at some huts..  Read the Official Brochure

Otamatapaio River track -  Oteake Conservation Park


2km up Backyards Road, which is half way between Otematata and Omarama along SH83

Farmland, flat (fairly flat), water to cross (surf or streams) marked trails - good signage

Access Points:

Parking areas

There are car parks at 

Ewe Range Track - Omarama

6km, steep and rocky

Follow the DOC markers at the start to reach a well formed track. It is a steep climb up this track to reach the top of the Ewe Range where there are striking views towards Lake Ohau and the Ahuriri valley. The majority of the track is a public access easement through private farmland. 

Access from Broken Hut Road, 1 km south of Omarama. This road turns into a gravel surface so drive carefully. At the road end there is a formed car park 

Private property: This track crosses private land. Respect the landowner's livestock and property: stay on the marked track until you reach the conservation land, leave gates as you find them.  Camp only on DOC Land.

Steep climbs and rocky outcrops make this for experienced riders - but the views are worth it

link to DOC topo map of this track

West Manuherikia Track

Time: 3 – 4 hr

Distance: 11 km from Broken Hut Road car park to Top Hut

Dog access: You can only take your dog if you are taking your vehicle to Top Hut (requires a 4WD) and starting your ride from there. It must be  confined to a vehicle while crossing private farmland at the start. 

This well-marked 4WD track from Broken Hut Road to Top Hut crosses Omarama Saddle (1260 m). Over summer people can 4WD directly to the hut so it may be full. The track highpoints are often covered in snow during winter and spring. In a good winter, this track is ideal for ski-touring.

From Top Hut to Hawkdun Runs Road is a further 19 km (one way) with numerous river crossings on a well-marked 4WD track. This track passes Boundary Creek Hut which is 8.5 km from Top Hut.


4WD Tracks - Oct - May

There are many 4WD tracks in this area, and horse riders can use all of them.  Of course, you will need to be aware of vehicles on these tracks, but you will no doubt get plenty of warning from the noise, and there is generally plenty of room for you to make way on the tracks.

The designated 4WD tracks in Oteake Conservation Park are open between Labour Weekend and 30 April. During that period, if conditions are unsuitable and/or the tracks become prone to damage, they may be closed. 


Oteake

4WD Tracks

East Manuherikia Track

Distance: 19 km

From Hawkdun Runs Road a 4WD track crosses open grassland for about 3 km to the Manuherikia River junction. From here a popular, well-formed track follows the east branch and climbs steadily to Little Omarama Saddle, providing access to Oteake's tops and descends to Broken Hut Road carpark. This road is open to vehicles from Labour Weekend until 30 April.

West Manuherikia Track

Distance: 25 km

From Hawkdun Runs Road a 4WD track crosses open grassland for about 3 km to the Manuherikia River junction. From here the track follows the west branch along a rough track to the Omarama Saddle (1260m) and descends to Broken Hut Road carpark on a well-formed track. This is not a through road for vehicles from 1 April to Labour Weekend - vehicles can drive to Boundary Creek Hut and Top Hut but not beyond during this period.

Johnstones Creek Track

Distance: 34 km 

From Home Hills Runs Road, after crossing flat tussock grassland the track climbs steeply on a very narrow, rocky track to the crest of the Hawkdun Range; not recommend for inexperienced 4WDrivers. The track follows the range crest, descends Walking Spur then climbs onto a plateau. It descends again, crosses Boundary Creek, climbs once more, goes down to Guffies Creek and joins the Mt Buster Track.

Mt Buster Track

Distance: 28 km

This is a steep climb on a well-formed track through open tussock to the Buster Diggings (6 km). There are, however, rough, steep areas past the Buster Diggings.

Caution: there is an active slip over the Mt Kyeburn 4WD track within the Timber Creek Conservation Area. The slip makes vehicle access difficult. Use extreme caution when crossing this slip. Do not attempt to cross if conditions do not allow for a safe vehicle passage.

Hut Creek Hut Track

Distance: 15 km

Hut Creek Road runs from the junction of Mt Buster and Johnstone Creek roads near Tailings Hut. It is 8 km from this junction to Hut Creek Hut. Beyond the hut the track becomes rocky, steep and narrow as it winds through a wonderful scenic gorge. The track ends at the park boundary with no access to the Waitaki Valley. The hill leading to Hut Creek Hut is not recommended for vehicles in wet conditions.

Mt Kyeburn Track

Distance: 14 km

This track provides amazing views down into Timber Creek as well as panoramic views of the Kakanui, Rock and Pillar and Ida ranges.

Mt Kyeburn can be accessed from either Mt Buster or Danseys Pass roads. From Buster Diggings at 1,200 m the track follows the ridge below the 1,560 m summit of Mt Kyeburn, at which point it becomes narrow and exposed and drops steeply down to Danseys Pass Road.