Sawyers and Parsons Creek to Freehold Creek Track

Located in Ahuriri Conservation Park in the Canterbury region

Climb up past mountain beech and native mistletoes to an ancient glacial moraine terrace. This track is in the Lake Ōhau area.

To get to Freehold Creek Track you'll need to get to Freehold Creek bushline

Parsons Creek to Freehold Creek bushline

Track category: Tramping track
Time: 2 - 3 hr
Distance: 6 km

This track has always been a favourite with visitors to Lake Ōhau. Look out for the DOC sign and car park just before the one-lane bridge over Parsons Creek on Lake Ohau Road.

Climb up past mountain beech and native mistletoes to an ancient glacial moraine terrace. A gravelled track for the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail goes along this terrace and makes easy walking. Watch out for mountain bikers on any hidden corners. Cross Freehold Creek bridge and turn right to walk uphill on Freehold Creek Track, on an old beech logging trail. Check out the distinctive curved nature of the track which is where bullocks (young bulls) dragged large beech and totara logs from the forest over 100 years ago.

At the bushline the vegetation changes to sub alpine scrub, scree slopes and tussock country.

Sawyers Creek access to Freehold Creek bushline

Track category: Tramping track
Time: 45 min
Distance: 2 km

This track provides a more direct route to Freehold Creek and starts at Glen Mary Ski Club huts. It is also part of Te Araroa. Please park in the designated area near Lake Ohau Road, not by the huts. Toilets are here for public use.

Freehold Creek bushline to Dumb-bell Lake

Track category: Route
Time: 4 hr
Distance: 4 km

There is a lightly marked route in Freehold Creek basin to follow uphill. Travel past a tarn at 1479 m and climb up to the ridge. Sidle through the low part of the ridge between high points 1922 m and 1817 m. Head north to Lake Dumb-bell outlet.

Mountain biking

This is a shared-use track. Follow the mountain bikers code: respect others, respect the rules, respect the track.

To reach the start of the Freehold Creek and Tarnbrae Track, turn off SH 8 onto Lake Ohau Road, 13 km from Twizel.

Map: NZTopo50 BZ14, BZ15

Fire damage

These tracks are open but were affected by the Lake Ōhau fire in October 2020. The landscape is still recovering from the severe fire damage.