This hunting area is covered by an 'open area permit' – get it online.
Before lighting a fire on public conservation land, check it's alright to light. Extinguish all fires before leaving huts and campsites. How to minimise the risk of fire.
About this hunting block
Animals present are red deer and chamois in low to moderate numbers, with tahr also present in the upper parts of the valley.
General information
This block consists of the Hunter River catchment above Bull Flat/Long Flat Creek. Due to the length of the Hunter Valley, trips into this block will be multi-day unless you fly into landing strips near Forbes and Ferguson Huts. Travel in the main valley is fairly easy going, but some of the tributaries on the true right descend through deep gorges.
The floor of the upper Hunter is more heavily beech/tawhai forested than down valley. There is also more alpine gravel, rock and snow, being closer to the Main Divide.
During the roar period; in the months of March and April, the block divides into two separately balloted portions, Ferguson and Forbes, with the boundary between being at the old Mid Flat Hut site below Mt Ferguson.
Access
To avoid a long journey on foot you may wish to fly by plane or helicopter into the Hunter Valley.
Unless an authorised aircraft operator is being used, for helicopter or plane access you must obtain an aircraft landing permit from the Tititea/Mt Aspiring National Park Visitor Centre in Wanaka.
Foot access is via the Lake Hawea eastern side. From Lake Hawea Township take Gladstone Road and then Dingle Burn Station Road for 14 km to a car park. From here follow the track (you may carry unloaded firearms) to Turihuka Conservation Area and beyond to the Hunter River mouth – 8-10 hours from the car park. From here it is another 4-5 hours to the Upper Hunter block.
On the western side of Lake Hawea, the Hunter Valley Station owners no longer allow access for hunters. You must stay within the conservation area boundary to access this block from the western side. These hunting blocks are best accessed by foot from the eastern side, or by flying in.
Feedback on your access experience is welcome. Email this to: wanakavc@doc.govt.nz
Landholders
Eastern side: Dingle Burn Station
Maps
NZTopo50 series: BY14, BZ13, BZ14
Huts
Know before you go
Dogs
Dogs are allowed only if using air access. No separate permit required.
Help control wallabies in this area by reporting sightings
Wallabies can displace other species, affect pastures and native species' habitats.
They also potentially impact production and native ecosystems.
Report your sighting online – it only takes a few minutes.
You can also report wallaby sightings by calling 0800 80 99 66.
Wānaka Tititea/Mount Aspiring National Park
Visitor Centre
| Phone: | +64 3 443 7660 |
| Email: | wanakavc@doc.govt.nz |
| Address: | 1 Ballantyne Road Wānaka 9305 |
| Hours: | Visitor centre hours and services |