Embedded Files
Help build this site with your local knowledge!
Oteake Conservation Area
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
15km one way
shared with cycle riders, shared with trailbikes,4WDs or other motor vehicles, walkers or 4WD, or cyclists
gates (hard to open \ no mounting blocks), rocky surfaces (hard on hooves)
just park on the grass area over the cattle stop on DoC reserve
Shared public parking, May need 4WD, grass or slippery
3-5 spaces
Access Points:
Access Points:
Broken Hut Rd
Hawkdun Runs Rd
Otamatapaio Station car park
Home Hills Runs Rd
Mt Buster Rd
Parking areas
There are car parks at
Hawkdun Runs Rd
Home Hills Run Rd
Mt Buster Rd
Falls Dam
Broken Hut Rd
Ewe Range Track - Omarama
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
West Manuherikia 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
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.
4WD Tracks
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.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse