Four wheel driving in Ruataniwha Conservation Park

Some access roads require permission from private landowners before using - see plan and prepare section for details.

Some tracks are not suitable for light 4WD's or 4WD sedans, but quad bikes and trail bikes can be used.

Most tracks involve river crossings. Rivers are subject to frequent floods, especially during spring and early summer, which can change the depth and width of fords. Soft sand is left behind after floods which can easily trap vehicles.

Dobson River valley - Kennedy Memorial Hut

Distance: 35km

First gain permission from Glen Lyon Station to access the Dobson valley via the 4WD track on the true left of the river. Permission will be granted unless there is potential for track damage at the time. Travel is on a high-country working station so please leave your dog at home and do not disturb stock.

The track above Stony Stream cuts out into the riverbed and includes a number of river channel fords before ending at Station Hut (private).

From Station Hut, vehicles have to negotiate the riverbed, as there is no established track. Routes vary, but generally the best option is to strike out for the true right bank heading upstream to the lower Watson Fan. Grough Hut (basic - two bunks), is located north of this fan, on the old lateral moraine above the riverbed. A 4WD track accesses the hut but getting onto it can be problematic as the river has cut a channel through the track entrance.

Kennedy Memorial Hut (standard - six bunks) is a further 6 km up-valley, on the true right bank. Above Kennedy Memorial Hut, the river narrows down to one channel as it passes a series of stream fans on the true right. It is inadvisable to take vehicles beyond this point. River crossings can be deep and unpredictable and beyond the fans, the riverbed becomes extremely rough, with frequent high terraces and large boulders inhibiting travel.

Hopkins River valley - Elcho Hut

Distance: 12km

The legal road from Ram Hill, above Lake Ohau to Monument Hut in the lower Hopkins Valley is managed by the Waitaki District Council. However, for a number of years the main channels of the river have been eroding the true right bank, damaging the road beyond economic repair. Be warned, the road is now a rough 4WD track.

Monument Hut (standard) sleeps six people and is approximately 9 km from Ram Hill. From Monument Hut vehicles can continue up-valley and across the Hopkins to Red Hut on the true left bank of the river; a distance of 4 km. The historic Red Hut (standard) sleeps 12 people in two rooms.

It is another 4.5 km driving along an established 4WD track to the base of the Dasler Pinnacles tramping track leading to Dasler Bivouac. Continuing on the 4WD track, vehicles stay on the true left of the river until opposite Elcho Stream. From there, vehicles can cross to the true right of the river (if the fords are suitable) to Elcho Hut, located on the southern margin of the Elcho Stream fan. (Monument Hut to Elcho Hut is approximately 12 km). This standard hut sleeps 12 people and is owned by the North Otago branch of the New Zealand Alpine club.

Please do not drive in the Huxley valley, the true right of the Hopkins valley between the Huxley confluence and Elcho Stream, or beyond Elcho Stream into the upper Hopkins valley. These areas do not have a history of vehicle use and are prime tramping environments; please respect other people's rights to have some areas free of vehicles.

River care code

• River birds nest on the ground. Their eggs and chicks are almost impossible to spot from a vehicle. Please refrain from driving in riverbeds from August to December.
• Birds swooping, circling or calling loudly probably have nests nearby. Move away so they can return to them, or their eggs and chicks could die.
• A dog running loose can wreak havoc. Leave your dog at home or keep it under strict control.
• Jet boats disturb birds and can wash away nests near the water's edge. The speed limit for boats is 5 knots within 200 m of the bank.

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