Image: Joy Comrie | DOC
Wairepo Kettleholes Conservation Area
Wairepo Kettleholes Track

Located in Omarama area and Wairepo Kettleholes Conservation Area in the Canterbury region

Wairepo Kettleholes provide a feeding area for both native and introduced birds.

The initial part of this track is a public access easement along a formed road. Climb over the stile to enter the conservation area.

Head east to find the kettleholes which are down in depressions. These kettleholes provide an important feeding area for a number of key bird species including the endangered kakī/black stilt. Fragmented patches of red tussock are throughout the conservation area, particularly alongside Wairepo Creek.

Mountain biking

It is an easy ride along the formed road to Wairepo Kettleholes Conservation Area. You need to lift your bike over the stile. There is an old farm track that can be ridden along inside the conservation area.

This is a shared-use track. Follow the mountain bikers code: respect others, respect the rules, respect the track.


Turn off SH 8 onto Quailburn Road off, 4 km north of Omarama. After the Clay Cliffs turn-off the road changes to a gravel surface. Drive carefully as this road often has mountain bikers on it during summer months.