|

Introduction

The Hopkins and Huxley valleys is a mixture of beech forest, open tussock tops and scree and rock slopes. Red deer, tahr and chamois are found here.

Species

  • Chamois
  • Deer - Red
  • Tahr

Permit requirements

A permit is required to hunt on public conservation land.

This hunting area is covered by an 'open area permit' – get it online or from a DOC office.

Dog access

Dogs (restricted numbers) allowed.

About this hunting block

General information

The Hopkins and Huxley valleys are a mixture of beech forest, open tussock tops and scree and rock slopes. The mountain tops are often covered in snow and ice in the winter. There are glaciers along the main divide and Neumann Range.

This area falls within the Ruataniwha Conservation Park. Red deer, tahr and chamois are found here.

Access

Hopkins valley

All vehicles can travel as far as the Ram Hill road end, via Lake Ohau Road (15 km north of Lake Ohau Lodge). From here, 4WD vehicles can be driven only as far as the shingle fan on the true left of the Hopkins River, opposite Elcho Hut. Vehicle owners need to check their insurance as the public road is officially closed.

The 4WD track crosses the Hopkins River at the conservation park boundary, below Monument Hut. It is ten minutes walk from here on foot to Monument Hut. Experienced drivers can continue on to Red Hut which is on the true left bank of the Hopkins River. This will necessitate crossing both the Huxley and Hopkins Rivers to get there. From Red Hut an old 4WD track travels north to opposite Elcho Hut. Crossing the Hopkins River at this point can be treacherous. Please keep vehicles below the Elcho Stream confluence and on the formed track.

Huxley valley

Huxley valley branches off Hopkins valley and is an open, grassy riverbed as far as Huxley Forks Hut. There is a high water track option from Monument Hut to Huxley Forks Hut (swing bridge over Huxley River). In periods of heavy rainfall the creeks near Huxley Forks Hut can be difficult to cross. From Huxley Forks Hut you can continue up North Huxley valley or South Huxley valley.

Landholders

Not applicable

Maps

Huts

Know before you go

Dogs

Dogs are allowed in this block but must be under control. Dogs should be kept on a lead at all times in riverbed areas and wetlands between the months of August and the end of February, because of nesting birdlife.

Help control wallabies in this area by reporting sightings

Wallabies can displace other species, affect pastures and native species' habitats.
They also potentially impact production and native ecosystems.

Report your sighting online – it only takes a few minutes.

You can also report wallaby sightings by calling 0800 80 99 66.

More about why wallabies are a problem.

Contacts

Te Manahuna / Twizel Office
Phone:   0800 275 362
Fax:   +64 4 471 1117
Email:   info@doc.govt.nz
Address:   15 Wairepo Road
Twizel 7901
Postal Address:   Private Bag 951
Twizel 7944
Back to top