It is 8 km from the Tailings Hut to Hut Creek Hut. Beyond Hut Creek Hut, the track becomes rocky, steep and narrow. The track ends at the park boundary with no access to the Waitaki valley.  

The hill leading to Hut Creek Hut is not recommended for vehicles in wet conditions.

There are several access routes on both the Otago and Canterbury sides of the park, the main ones being Hawkdun Runs Road, Home Hills Runs Road and Mount Buster Road in the Maniototo, and 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. Check fords before entry.

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.

How to cross rivers safely (for people on foot)

No fires 

Fires are not allowed anywhere in Oteake Conservation Park. 

Check the weather forecast 

NIWA Weather: Ida Railway Hut 

Avalanches 

Oteake Conservation Park has avalanche terrain.

Be avalanche alert in Wakatipu, Wānaka and Central Otago

Mt Buster and Hut Creek Hut tracks recommended for 4WD only

Mt Buster and Hut Creek Hut tracks have deep scouring, and a rocky river crossing. Extreme care is required. These tracks are recommended for experienced 4WD drivers only.