Find out if you need an activity permit for the following activities.
Driving
Plan your visit to Acheron Road before applying. The Acheron Road is a challenging and unsealed high country route.
Acheron Road – vehicles that are prohibited
- Vehicles with caravans
- Vehicles over 7 m
Acheron Road – vehicles under 7 m and towing
Date: Any time
Permit required: Yes
Acheron Road – vehicles under 7 m and not towing
Date: Saturday of Labour Weekend until Easter Monday.
Permit required: No
Date: Easter Tuesday until the Friday before Labour Day Weekend.
Permit required: Yes. Note, due to winter road conditions and farming operations it is unusual for driving activity permits to be issued during the road closed period.
Rainbow Station
To get a permit and the latest information on the road status:
- visit the Rainbow Station website
- email info@rainbowstation.co.nz or
- phone +64 3 5224 413 between 8:30 am – 4:00 pm.
Mountain biking
Acheron Road
Date: Saturday of Labour Weekend until Easter Monday
Permit required: No
Date: Easter Tuesday until the Friday before Labour Day Weekend
Permit required: Yes
Hunting
Any location
Date: Any time
Permit required: Yes. Special permit required – apply online.
Note: A hunting permit does not guarantee road access when the Acheron Road is closed. An activity permit for driving access to your hunting block will not be issued when the road is closed due to winter weather and farming operations except in exceptional circumstances. Plan for this in your block choices.
Walking
Leatham/Molesworth Route
Date: 1 May to 31 December
Permit required: No
Date: 1 January to 31 April
Permit required: Yes (to travel upstream of Saxton hut)
East/West Route
Date: Any time
Permit required: No (unless travelling upstream of Saxton Hut between 1 January and 31 April)
Central Zone
When walking on marked tracks from Acheron Road:
Date: Saturday of Labour Weekend until Easter Monday
Permit required: No
Date: Easter Tuesday until the Friday before Labour Day Weekend
Permit required: Yes
When walking off-track:
Date: Any time
Permit required: Yes
North Zone (adjoining the Leatham)
Date: 1 May to 31 December
Permit required: No
Date: 1 January to 30 April
Permit required: Yes
East Zone (including Dillon Cone)
Date: 1 November to 30 April
Permit required: No
Date: 1 May to 31 October
Permit required: Yes
Southwest Zone (adjoining Rainbow Station)
Date: Any time
Permit required: No
Horse riding
Any location
Date: Any time
Permit required: Yes
Fishing
Any location
Date: Any time
Permit required: Yes, a fishing licence is required from Fish & Game New Zealand. Trout fishing season is 1 October to 30 April. No fishing allowed outside this time. You may require an activity permit for access if you are driving, mountain biking, walking or horse riding - the information for these activities is above.
Open areas may be temporarily closed due to weather conditions or stock movements.