Snowdon Forest Conservation Area
Located in the Southland region
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Introduction
Snowdon Forest is a picturesque area with open, grassed valleys. It offers a variety of year round recreational opportunities suitable for family groups, trampers, fishermen and hunters.Bog Pine Paddock was a location for Fangorn Forest - see Lord of the Rings filming locations.
Find things to do and places to stay Snowdon Forest Conservation Area
The Mararoa, Whitestone and Upukerora Rivers offer good fishing for brown and rainbow trout. The Upukerora is fly fishing only. A current fishing licence is required and anglers must comply with its regulations. Ask owners before crossing private land and avoid disturbing stock.
Snowdon Forest is flanked to the west by SH94, running along side Lake Te Anau toward Te Anau Downs and Milford Sound. The township of Mossburn lies to the south, and Mavora Lakes Park and the Livingstone Mountain are to the east.
Access to parts of Snowdon Forest is across private land, so permission must be obtained from adjoining landowners beforehand. Otherwise, use legal roads or riverside marginal strips. Most marginal strips are suitable only for walking access. Respect private property, taking care not to litter, and close all gates.
Contact details for access
Glen Echo Station - Phone +64 3 249 9242
Permission must be sought to cross freehold land between the marginal strip and Snowdon Forest. Walking times from the road access bridge to the legal access point into Snowdon Forest following the marginal strip is 3.5 to 4 hours. Vehicle access along the marginal strip beside the Whitestone River is not possible without crossing private land.
Mararoa Downs - Phone +64 3 249 8095
Permission to cross Mararoa Downs to gain access to Snowdon Forest must be obtained. Landcorp Properties Access through any Landcorp land must have the permission of the farm manager as listed below:
Dale Farm - Phone +64 3 249 7281
Phone for permission to cross this farm to gain access to the Upukerora River.
Eweburn Farm - Phone: +64 3 249 7543 Phone for permission to cross this farm to gain access to the Upukerora River.
Haycocks Farm - Phone +64 3 249 8055
Fishing access to the Mararoa River is available through this farm at marked points along the Centre Hill/Mavora Road. This is walking access only.
Plan properly for your trip and ensure your group has a capable, experienced leader. Fiordland’s weather changes rapidly and it can become wet and cold very suddenlyand at any time of the year. Before departing, check out current track and weather conditions at the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre in Te Anau.
It is strongly recommended that you carry a Personal Locator Beacon and/or Mountain Radio.
Topographical maps covering Snowdon Forest are recommended for navigation. Topo50 Maps CC08 – Welcome Point, CC09 – North Mavora Lake, CD08 – TeAnau and CD09 – South Mavora Lake are available for purchase from the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre.
Hunting dogs are permitted in the forest from December to August but are not permitted from September to November, due to lambing and calving season on adjoining land. All dogs are to be caged or secured until off private land.
Avoid disturbing stock at all times. Advise neighbouring landowners if you are undertaking possum control in the forest. A permit must be obtained from the DOC office in Te Anau.
The tracks in Snowdon Forest are used infrequently; many are marked routes only.
Lighting a fire in Snowdon Forest Conservation Area may require a permit. Please check our Lighting fires on public conservation land web page.
Contacts
| Te Rua-o-te-moko/Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre | |
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| Phone | +64 3 249 7924 |
| fiordlandvc@doc.govt.nz | |
| Address | Lakefront Drive Te Anau 9600 |
| Hours | See visitor centre hours |