From Hawkdun Runs Road a 4WD track crosses open grassland for about 3 km to the Manuherikia River junction.

From here a popular, well-formed track follows the east branch and climbs steadily to Little Omarama Saddle providing access to Oteake's tops. The track then descends to Broken Hut Road car park.  

There are several access routes on both the Otago and Canterbury sides of the park. The main ones are:

• Hawkdun Runs Road, Home Hills Runs Road and Mount Buster Road in the Maniototo
• Broken Hut Road from the Waitaki Valley. 

The vehicle bridge on Hawkdun Runs Road is currently closed and cannot be used. The vehicle ford is recommended for experienced 4WD users only. 

Much of the public access into the park is along easements crossing private land. Please respect this by driving carefully, keeping to tracks and roads, and leaving gates as you find them. 

4WD access is limited to the formed tracks described on this website.

Know your limits and be ready for weather damage

The 4WD roads in the conservation park are often damaged by weather events and repairs are ongoing. Be prepared to turn around if conditions are unsuitable for your vehicle or too challenging for your off-road driving skills.

Do not go off the track or attempt routes you are unsure about. It may be very difficult to reverse or pass other traffic. Experience in rough conditions on steep terrain is essential. You should be self-reliant and have recovery equipment appropriate for the conditions and terrain.

Care for this fragile environment

Stay on the formed marked roads and do not widen them. 

Travel in groups. If winching is necessary, use another vehicle rather than a landscape feature to avoid damaging the landscape.

Follow the 4WD care code. This helps the long-term sustainability of the activity and the environment.

Four wheel drive guidelines

Shared use tracks

Many of the tracks in Oteake Conservation Park are shared use. You may encounter walkers, mountain bikers and people riding horses, as well as people on quad bikes, trail bikes or in 4WDs. Take care and respect other track users.

Be careful of rivers 

If you plan to cross unbridged rivers, know how to cross safely and be prepared for if you cannot cross. 

Do not cross if the river is flooded, you cannot find safe entry and exit points or are unsure it’s safe. Turn back or wait for the river to drop. If in doubt, stay out. 

Be aware of weather conditions in the catchment headwaters. Check fords before entry.

How to cross rivers safely 

No fires 

Fires are not allowed anywhere in Oteake Conservation Park. 

Check the weather forecast 

NIWA Weather: Ida Railway Hut 

Shared use tracks 

Many of the tracks in Oteake Conservation Park are shared use. You may encounter walkers, mountain bikers and people riding horses. Take care and respect other track users.

There may be avalanche danger

Avalanches most frequently occur from May to November in Oteake Conservation Park. There can also be avalanches outside this period if there is still snow coverage.

You should always follow the three components of avalanche safety:

1. Have the relevant avalanche skills and training.
2. Check the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (ATES) rating and the New Zealand Avalanche Advisory information for the area you’re going in to.
3. Go with a buddy. Both of you should carry and know how to use an avalanche transceiver, a snow shovel and a probe.

The following page has ATES information for Oteake Conservation Park.

Be avalanche alert in Wakatipu, Wānaka and Central Otago

New Zealand Avalanche Advisory is provided by the Mountain Safety Council.

New Zealand Avalanche Advisory