Oxford Forest tramping tracks

Track category

Tramping track

Description

Route 1 - Coopers Creek carpark to Mt Oxford summit

Time: 4 hr one way

Mt Oxford Track takes you from the Coopers Creek car park to the summit of Mt Oxford.

Start from Ryde Falls Track (see Mt Oxford Forest walking tracks), cross the west branch of Coopers Creek and climb gradually through scattered pockets of beech forest, and then more steeply through snow tussock. From the summit of Mt Oxford (1364 metres) there are good views.

An alternative descent returns to the car park at View Hill via the Wharfedale Track.

Route 2 - Wharfedale Track to Black Hill Hut Track

Time: 3 hr one way

Begin at Wharfedale Track (see Mt Oxford Forest walking tracks) junction north of the saddle between the Eyre and Townshend catchments (Grid Ref 308764). Climb steeply onto the ridge between Foster and Dobson Streams.

The hut is a one-ticket hut with 6 bunks and a woodstove.

From the hut further unmarked routes give access to Salmon Creek and the Puketeraki Range.

Route 3 - Townshend River to Black Hill Hut Track

Time: 3 hr one way

Start at the confluence of the Townshend River and Dobson Stream (Grid Ref 334789) and climb a beech-covered ridgeline to Black Hill Hut.

Route 4 - View Hill to Mt Oxford Track

Time: 3 hr one way

Branch off the Wharfedale Track (see Mt Oxford Forest walking tracks) about 20 minutes from View Hill car park (Grid Ref 328729) and follow a forested ridge that opens onto tussock grassland around Mt Oxford.

Getting there

56 km northwest of Christchurch there are four road approaches to the forest from the township of Oxford. Approach Oxford from Christchurch via the northern motorway (State Highway 1) then westward on Tram Road or State Highway 72.

Coopers Creek car park

At the western end of Oxford, take Woodside Road. 7 km northwest turn right onto Mountain Road to the Coopers Creek car park.

View Hill car park

From Oxford drive west on State Highway 72 for about 3 km, then turn off along Woodstock Road. After about 10 km turn right up Ingrams Road, which turns left into Perhams Road. An AA signpost indicates the turn-off to the start of the Wharfedale Track where the View Hill car park is located. In times of heavy rain two fords on Perhams Road may become impassable.

Eyre River area

From Oxford drive west on State Highway 72 for about 3 km, then turn off along Woodstock Road. After about 14 km take the road leading right (Trig Road). This passes a small exotic pine forest before crossing a ford close to the forest edge.

Lees Valley

About 6 km north of Oxford, on Ashley Gorge Road is the Lees Valley access. At Mt Pember Station, 1.5 km from the Lees Valley Bridge, a DOC signpost on the left denotes a very rough four-wheel drive track that runs next to the Townshend River and up to Townshend Hut.

The key for the locked gate is obtainable from Mt Pember Station only if a week's notice is given. Do not phone after 8.00 pm.

Plan and prepare

Maps

Infomap 260 Sheet L34 (Puketeraki) covers the Oxford Forest area.

Fire

Always take care when lighting fires and use the permanent fireplaces provided. A fire permit is required for all other campfires. During periods of extreme fire risk the lighting of fires and barbecues is prohibited, and some areas or tracks may be closed. Dial 111 in a fire emergency.

Dogs

Dogs (excluding hunting dogs by valid permit only) are permitted on the tracks but must be on a leash at all times. Please clean up after your dog. No dogs allowed on private land.

Wasps

Beware of wasps here in summer. Wasp populations reach high numbers from January to March each year.

It is recommended that forest users carry wasp first aid kits as a precaution. These are generally available from chemists.

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