Croydon Bush tramping tracks
Track category
Tramping track
Description
Hidden Valley Route
Time: 2 hr loop track
This route is suitable for more experienced walkers, though it is reasonably easy to follow, and is managed and maintained by the Hokonui Tramping Club.
From the Whisky Creek carpark at the end of Domain Road, the Whisky Creek track is followed until it joins the line of an old water race. Here the Hidden Valley Route heads off to the right along the old water race crossing two streams.
The track follows the second stream for a short distance before climbing steeply through bush to an open grass and scrub glade. It then continues down through the glade meeting a track alongside Whisky Creek. Follow the track downhill until it comes out on the Whisky Creek track. The loop is completed along the track back to the carpark (3 km, 2 hours).
Grant's Picnic Area Routes
The eastern end of Croydon Bush Scenic Reserve, accessed from Croydon Bush Road, is locally known as Grant's Bush. The Hokonui Tramping Club maintains three routes in this area.
Grant's Track is the most well formed of these tracks. It starts from the left hand side of the clearing at Grant's Bush, and follows the ridge to the fenced farmland where a route can be followed with a short stroll through tussock to East Peak (2 km, 30 minutes return).
Middle Track is reached by going right from Grant's picnic area, crossing a stream and following a marked track through to a paddock. Middle Track turns immediately uphill into the native bush at this point and is marked with orange track markers.
Richardson Track is reached by crossing the paddock mentioned above and entering a pine plantation on the northern side. The route goes through the plantation, crosses a stream and goes upstream into the native bush.
Both Richardson and Middle Tracks are steep, rough and rocky but not difficult to follow. They eventually end at East Peak.
Getting there
Croydon Bush Scenic Reserve is located approximately 10 km to the north west of Gore. The Hidden Valley route is accessible from the Whisky Creek carpark at the end of Domain Road. Grant's Bush is accessed from Croydon Bush Road, at the eastern end of this scenic reserve.
Places to stay
Dolamore Park provides camper facilities including toilets, power points for camper hook up, electric BBQs which are operated by a 50 cent coin and also a kitchen block with zip, sink, three pin power points and lights.
The charge for camping is $5 per night per person with school children free, payable to the park caretaker or by mailing direct to:
Gore District Council
PO Box 8
Gore 9740
Tel: +64 3 208 9080
Fax: +64 3 208 9087
Dolamore Park operating hours are 8:00 am until dusk. Late camper arrivals are by arrangement with the caretaker.
Guides and commercial tourism providers