Canterbury alerts
View the latest updates and important notices about places managed by DOC in the Canterbury region.
On this page:
Arthur's Pass and Craigieburn/Torlesse ranges
North Canterbury
Christchurch and Banks Peninsula
Mid and South Canterbury
Mackenzie Country and Waitaki
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park
Remember - safety is your responsibility! Always check the latest information about facilities and conditions with DOC before you set out. Report hazards to DOC Hotline 0800 362 468.
Rivers: Check the latest forecast and make good assessments regarding safe crossing before entering the water.
Avalanche risk: For latest avalanche and snow information visit the Avalanche NZ website.
Arthur's Pass National Park and Craigieburn/Torlesse ranges
(Updated 05 May 2013)
General conditions: Snow has started affecting many higher tracks and routes. Please check with the Visitor Centre for current conditions in all alpine areas.
Reports of damage or changes have been received on the following:
- Bealey Spur Hut The hut is closed until further notice for ongoing upgrade work. The track is still open and there is plenty of space for camping around the hut.
- Casey-Binser: Reports of wasps, particularly around Andrews shelter. Caution needed.
- Craigieburn Forest Park: Reports of wasps. Caution needed.
- Harper Pass and Taramakau valley: There are major slips around the headwaters of the Taramakau River resulting in longer track times. Fallen trees & slips on Otira flood-track. The radio in Locke Stream hut has been permanently removed.The emergency shelter at Taramakau junction has been washed away.
- Otehake valley: The Otehake footbridge has been removed and will not be replaced. Major landslides in the lower valley area (1.7 km downstream of Whaiti Stream) require care to cross. This route is not maintained (overgrown, multiple trees fallen) and should only be attempted by experienced parties.
- Poulter Valley: Fresh wash-outs on the access track to the Arthur's Pass National Park boundary. This section requires travel in the Poulter river and should be attempted only in low flow. Walking and mountain bike access only.
- Taipo River: The 4WD track has washed out 2-3 hours walk from SH73, (downstream of Dillons Hut). Walking access only.
- Three Passes: (Styx and Arahura valleys). The Styx Valley Track is now very rough with numerous slips to be negotiated. Approx 20 min from the Styx car park the river has cut into a vertical cliff. To continue up the valley be prepared to cross the river below and above this cutting. If the river is high, or if parties are not confident with river crossings, use the Arahura Valley track instead.
For more information contact the Arthur's Park National Park Visitor Centre.
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North Canterbury
(Updated 24 April 2013)
St James Walkway
- Major damage on sections of the St James Walkway following the heavy rain in January.
- Approx 10 slips on the section of track from Cannibal Gorge to Cannibal Gorge Hut. Care required to negotiate these slips.
- The lower Anne Bridge and a section of track 200m further upstream were washed out. The track has been re-routed but Anne River still needs to be crossed on foot along the re-aligned route. Check weather conditions and river levels before setting out. If not safe, wait it out.
Lake Sumner Forest Park
- There is still some snow damage with trees down on some tracks. Expect longer tramping times until these are cleared.
Sylvia Flat hot springs
- The hot springs are closed due to an active landslide directly above the pool.
Christchurch and Banks Peninsular
(Updated 25 March 2013)
- Godley Head: The gun emplacements and buildings are closed due to earthquake damage. Most of the tracks in the area are now open. The Tunnel Track and the Breeze Bay track are both still closed.
- Nikau Palm Gully Scenic Reserve: Closed due to danger from falling rocks.
- Lyttelton Reserves (Major Hornbrook, Chalmers, Crater Rim) closed due to rock hazards. It is very important that the public to not enter the reserves at any point. See Christchurch City Council website for Port Hills tracks updates.
- Ripapa Island Historic Reserve: Closed indefinitly - repairs to the fort required.
- Historic Adderley Head Signal Station: Closed due to severe earthquake damage.
- Port Robinson Walkway: Closed for lambing 28 July - 20 October.
Mid and South Canterbury
- Forest Creekaccess, Te Kahui Kaupeka Conservation Park: Access up Forest Creek is by walking in the creek bed only. This access is not marked or sign-posted. The public land in Forest Creek is administered by the Commissioner of Crown Lands. DOC is currently working with the Commissioner of Crown Lands to develop this access.
- Kakahu Scenic Reserve Track: Kakahu Scenic Reserve Track is closed due to track condition.
- Staveley lime kilns: Closed - these kilns are closed due to fallen masonry following the 2010 Canterbury earthquake
- Woolshed Creek Hut will be closed temporarily for hut maintenance from 17 September to 20 September 2012.
- Veil Bivvy has been removed due to the threat of the eroding river bank.
- Oteake Conservation Park 4WD tracks: Mt Buster Track, Johnstones Creek Track, and East Manuherikia Track are now closed to vehicles. The West Manuherikia Track remains open. The tracks will re open to vehicles for Labour weekend until 30 April.
Mackenzie Country and Waitaki
(Updated 28 January 2013)
Caution required for all tracks: Recent heavy rainfall may have caused damage to many tramping routes/tracks. Expect windfall and/or slips on all tracks.
- Stony Stream Bivvy removed: This small bivvy located within Stony Stream, Dobson valley, in Ruataniwha Conservation Park has been removed. It is was damaged beyond repair by rockfall.
- Temple valley, Ruataniwha Conservation Park: North Temple valley has had track damage due to heavy rains. The upper South Temple valley track, above South Temple Hut, is also damaged. Both these tracks are still passable, but allow for longer timeframes.
- Tahr Creek, Hopkins valley, Ruataniwha Conservation Park: The high water track at Tahr Creek in Hopkins valley has sustained damage this summer due to heavy rainfall.
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park
- De La Beche Hut: This hut has been demolished. There is no longer a hut at this site
- Hooker Valley Track: Over the next few months there may be short delays while two new swingbridges are constructed near Hooker Lake and a replacement of the 2nd swingbridge.
- Hooker Hut: because of a crack developing behind the hut it is recommended as an emergency shelter only.
- Ball Pass: Due to a significant rockfall on the Tasman side of the pass caution is advise when undertaking this route.
Related links
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