Pisa Conservation Area tramping tracks

Track category

Tramping track
Mountain bike - Advanced

Description

The Roaring Meg Pack Track, Pisa
Conservation Area

Roaring Meg Pack Track

Time: Tuhoys Gully Carpark - Roaring Meg Carpark 5 - 6 hr (19 km)

Time: Tuhoys Gully Carpark - Meg Hut 2 hrs (6.5 km)

From the Tuohys Gully carpark an access track climbs steadily up the gully to the 1140 m Tuohys Saddle. An easy-grade track to the right leads down to a privately owned musterers hut, Miners Hut. The Meg Hut, a DOC facility available to the public, is also nearby. The main track then sidles through some steep sections as it follows the gorge of the Roaring Meg/Te Wai a Korokio. The poled track ends above the Meg Dam. Follow the road down to the Roaring Meg Recreation Reserve, opposite the power station on SH6 in the Kawarau Gorge.

Circuit Track

Time: 4 - 5 hr (14 km)

This provides the opportunity to explore part of the Pisa Range and finish where you started. Follow the Roaring Meg Pack Track from the Tuohys Gully carpark to Tuohys Saddle. Take the track on the left to the DOC Meg Hut and follow the Roaring Meg Stream down to Miners Hut (private). This will involve a number of river crossings. The return journey is via an easy ascent to Tuohys Saddle, then the descent to the carpark.

Cardrona- Cromwell Pack Track

Time: Tuohys Gully Carpark - Lowburn Carpark (Swann Road) 7 - 8 hr (24.5 km)

Time: Meg Hut - Deep Creek Hut 2.5 - 3 hrs (8 km)

From Meg hut the poled track climbs through the Pisa Conservation Area's golden tussock grasslands before traversing along one of the areas many prominent ridgelines. After passing through sections of an old water race the track descends a 4WD road to the Historic 6 bunk Deep Creek Hut.

Time: Deep Creek Hut - Lowburn Carpark (Swann Road) 2.5 - 3 hrs (10 km)

From the golden tussock grasslands of the conservation area, the historic Cardrona-Cromwell Pack Track descends a 4WD track through private farmland along Packspur Gully to the Lowburn carpark; Swann Road, Lowburn Valley.

Getting there

Access to the first three tracks described here is from Tuohys Gully carpark which is off the lower section of the Waiorau Snowfarm Road; 22 km from Wanaka on the Cardrona Valley Road.

The alternative, or other end access point for the Roaring Meg Pack Track is the Roaring Meg Recreation Reserve on SH6 or for the Cardrona-Cromwell Pack Track: Swann Road in the Lowburn Valley.

Access via the Waiorau Snow Farm road:

If you are not paying to use their facilities, using the Snow Farm access road to reach the Pisa Conservation Area incurs a fee of $20 per car. The charge is year-round, covers the duration of your stay and allows parking in the section designated near the SHPG workshop.

Foot access is not permitted on the Snow Farm road.

In winter (June - August) the fee is to be paid at the Snow Farm Lodge office and visitors are advised to also register their intentions there.

In spring/autumn (September - May), visitors must park their vehicles at the far end of the main carpark, as the DOC sign indicates, and then report to the SHPG office. If it is unattended, please leave the $20 fee and your intentions in the security box provided.

Access roads to the north are used for vehicle testing - extreme care is required. Photographs near this testing area are not allowed.

Foot access to the Pisa Conservation Area is via an easement that's marked with orange marker poles from the DOC sign opposite the workshop.

Activities

Ski touring

This is an exposed alpine area with an unpredictable climate (even in the summer months). Ski touring is a popular activity during the winter months. Please note access conditions above.

Horse riding

Horse gates are not provided. Riders need to obtain gate keys from the landowners.

Mountain biking

Several options exist for mountain biking in this area. Ensure you have a map and a good sense of direction.

Four wheel driving

The Pisa Conservation Area covers over 17,000 hectares of spectacular sub-alpine landscape. Due to the fragile nature of the area access needs to be carefully managed especially in regards to off road vehicles (4wd, quad bikes and motorbikes). Therefore off road vehicles users need to obtain a Request to Access form from DOC before accessing the Pisa Conservation Area.

Where can I drive in the Pisa Conservation Area?
Access is restricted to formed tracks on the northern part of the Pisa Conservation Area. Motorised vehicles are not permitted on the southern section of the Pisa Conservation Area below Tuohys Saddle.

When can I drive in the Pisa Conservation Area?
Public vehicle access is restricted to the drier summer periods between 1 November to 1 April however can be closed anytime within this period to avoid damage to the tracks. This can be due to safety risks, weather conditions, threats to conservation or track damage.

How do I get into the Pisa Conservation Area?
There are several access routes on both the Cromwell and Cardona Valley sides of the Pisa Range, the mains one being via Mt Pisa, Lowburn and Locharburn Stations on the eastern side of the range and Waiorau Station (Snow Park) in the Cardrona Valley. However there is no "as of right" public motorised vehicle access into the conservation area as all of the suitable access tracks cross private or pastoral lease land. Registration for a motorised vehicle access request form includes a requirement to seek landowner's consent for entrance and exit routes.

Where do I get Pisa Conservation Area motor vehicle access forms?
Download a Request for Access form (PDF, 68K) or contact the Mount Aspiring National Park Visitor Centre. The forms require users to provide contact particulars, intended entrance and exit points, details of the vehicle/s and conditions of access.

Landowner contact information
Download contact details for adjoining landowners (PDF, 45K). Select the contacts for both your intended entrance and exit points. Adjoining landowner approval must be obtained prior to accessing conservation area.

Where do I send my vehicle access form requests?
Please send the completed request for vehicle access form to the Wanaka Area Office either via fax, email, mail or in person. Once processed a signed copy of your permit will be emailed /faxed to you.

Please print the final signed permit and take it with you.

Plan and prepare

• These tracks both cross and border private land. Please respect livestock and property, ensure gates are left as you found them and that, where provided, stiles are used,
• In summer very hot and dry conditions are common. Carrying an adequate supply of both drinking water and sun protection is essential.
• In winter, mountaineering experience is required along with knowledge of avalanche conditions
• Dogs and firearms are not permitted.

Before you go into the outdoors, tell someone your plans and leave a date to raise the alarm if you haven't returned. To do this, use the New Zealand Outdoors Intentions process on the AdventureSmart website. It is endorsed by New Zealand's search and rescue agencies and provides three simple options to tell someone you trust the details about your trip.