Waitutu Forest hunting

Waitutu Forest covers some 45,000 ha of southeastern Fiordland and is part of the Fiordland National Park. This area is one of the largest tracts of unmodified lowland forest left in the country. 

A series of nationally important up-lifted marine terraces have resulted in a relatively easy contoured to hilly and gullied terrain. The forest is a mix of hardwood, podocarp and beech and contains the greatest abundance and diversity of podocarps in Fiordland. 

Ground cover is dominated by crown fern. Three large pristine lakes (Hauroko, Poteriteri and Lake Hakapoua) and associated river systems (Wairaurahiri, Waitutu and Big River) dissect the forest from north to south.

Mountain radios/locator beacons

There is little to no mobile phone coverage within Fiordland National Park, to ensure your safety it is best to take a Mountain Radio or PLB (Personal Locator Beacon).

Outdoor gear supplies and hire in Fiordland

Special conditions for hunting in the Waitutu area

• This permit covers the Waitutu Forest and part of the Māori land owned by Waitutu Incorporated.
• The Waitutu Incorporated land is subject to an agreement with the Crown which authorises it being managed as if it were a national park.
• Port Craig to the Waitutu River is SILNA land and privately owned. Trampers and hunters are able to use the South Coast Track for access. Hunting is not permitted south of the South Coast Track nor within 500 metres of the north side of the track. Hunting south of the track is by permission of the landowner only

Access

Access is by foot along the South Coast Track, or by helicopter or jet boat. The South Coast Track starts from the end of the Papatotara Coast Road and follows the south coast through to Lake Hakapoua. 

There is also a track from the carpark at Lake Hauroko to Lake Poteriteri.

Three jet boat operators and two helicopter companies have concessions to operate in the area.

Landholders

The land on either side of the South Coast track from Port Craig to the Waitutu River is SILNA land and privately owned. Trampers and hunters are able to use the South Coast Track. Hunting south of the track is by permission of the landowner only.

Maps

NZTopo50 maps - CF06, CF07. NZTopo50 maps are available from a DOC Visitor Centre near you.

For further mapping and access information refer to Walking Access Aotearoa or DOC maps. Both websites provide interactive mapping displaying information on huts, tracks and DOC land boundaries. The DOCmaps website contains hunting specific information (by clicking on the Open Hunting Permit Areas layer and clicking the mouse on any area of the map).

Animals present

Red deer - low numbers
Pigs - low numbers

Dogs

No dogs are allowed. 

Hut information

• Lake Poteriteri Hut - 6 bunks (fees apply)
• Port Craig School Hut - 22 bunks (fees apply)
• Slaughterburn - 6 bunks (free)
• Teal Bay Hut (at Hauroko) - 10 bunks (fees apply)
• Wairaurahiri Hut - 14 bunks (fees apply)
• Waitutu Hut - 12 bunks (fees apply)

There is also the privately owned Waitutu Lodge.

Additional information

If possuming, get a permit from the DOC office in Te Anau.