Skip to main content
Looking up the Henry River by Anne Hut.

St James Conservation Area

Located in the Canterbury region

Introduction

Located on three mountain ranges, the area has exceptional recreation opportunities and natural features including glaciated valleys, glacial moraine deposits, streams, wetlands, lakes and high altitude tarns.
  • The western side, from Lewis Pass to the Waiau River is characterised more by mixed beech forests, open river flats, tussock tops rising to rocky snow mountain tops. 
  • In contrast, the eastern side is drier, open country with magagouri, exotic grasses, regenerating shrublands and mountain lakes. 
  • The Waiau River runs north to south through the St James Conservation Area.

Find things to do and places to stay

St James Conservation Area

Four wheel driving

This includes all motorised vehicles.

Vehicles are restricted to the Edwards Valley and Maling Pass 4WD tracks from Tophouse Road as far as the signs by the Waiau River.

Access is only permitted during the drier summer months and is closed for the winter season usually from May to the end of October. Vehicle access is controlled by gates with different combination locks at the two track entrances:

  • Edwards Valley, and
  • Maling Pass carparks. 

Off-road vehicle users need to register before taking their motorised vehicles into the St James Conservation Area. 

Where you can drive and access gate codes.

Check, Clean, Dry

Clean all gear when moving between waterways to prevent the spread of didymo and other freshwater pests.

How to check, clean, dry your gear.