Oxford Forest walking tracks

Track category

Walking track

Description

Coopers Creek to Ryde Falls Track

Time: 2 hr 30 min one way

This well formed track initially crosses cleared private land with views of the plains and surrounding hills. It enters the beech forest and finally descends to Coopers Creek to view the five tier Ryde Falls. Return the same way

Notes: No dogs allowed on private land and walkers must keep to the track. "Rydes Tramway" route is not maintained and is overgrown.

Wharfedale Track

Time: 4 hr 30 min one way

Wharfedale Track was formed to open up Lees Valley. Work began in 1879 and in seven years £4,537 (about $500,000 equivalent today) had been spent before it was abandoned as a possible road.

This long, easy graded track was used as a stock route in the 1890s and now provides access for trampers. It is also popular with mountain bikers.

The Wharfedale Hut is a basic 10-bunk hut, sited on the true right of Dobson Stream.

Wharfedale Hut to Lees Valley

Time: 2 hr 30 min one way

This is an extension of the WharfedaleTrack. It crosses tussock flats, mostly on a four wheel drive track, returning to Lees Valley Road 1.5 km north of the Ashley River/Rakahuri bridge.

If you wish to drive vehicles over this section of track you must contact Mt Pember Station.

An alternative route exists between Shifton and Storm streams (route 5). It is not well marked but avoids the need to cross the Townshend River in times of high river levels.

View Hill to Ryde Falls Track

Time: 2 hr one way

Turn off the Wharfedale Track about 20 minutes into the forest from the car park. Descend to Coopers Creek to view Ryde Falls.

View Hill to Coopers Creek Track

Time: 2 hr 30 min - 3 hr one way

To take this link track turn off Wharfedale Track about 10 minutes into the forest from the car park and join Ryde Falls Track. Follow this track east to Coopers Creek car park.

Getting there

Some 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 Perhmas 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.

Activities

You can mountain bike the Wharfedale Track. As this is also a popular walking track, we ask you to be considerate and give way to other track users.

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 campfires where permanent fireplaces are not used.

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 case of fire emergency.

Wasps

Wasp numbers are high from January through 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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