Whakaari hunting

Located in the Otago region

The Whakaari hunting block is located above Glenorchy on the western faces of the Richardson Mountains. You can hunt goats and chamois.

About this hunting block

Animals present are goats and chamois.

General information

The Whakaari block is located above Glenorchy on the western faces of the Richardson Mountains. The landscape is steep tussock and scree faces cut with several deep creek valleys, notably the Buckler Burn.

This block is covered by an open hunting permit, but a condition is that you must have access permission from the landholder. Hunters must be aware of the block boundaries. No hunting is authorised until you are within the boundaries of the hunting block.

Access

This block can only be accessed with permission from the landholder.

Once you have permission to access the block, the best access is via the Whakaari tramping tracks. Access agreements to these tracks does not include carrying firearms. 

Landholders

Wyuna Station, Alister Wallace: +64 27 444 7258. Contact Alister to get permission before accessing the station or hunting block.

Maps

NZTopo50 series: CB10

Dogs

Dogs are allowed in this block with a hunting permit.

Huts

There may be avalanche danger

Avalanches usually occur from May to November in Wakatipu, Wānaka and Central Otago. There can also be avalanches outside this period, if there is still snow coverage.

If you are going into avalanche terrain, always:

  1. Have the relevant avalanche skills and training.
  2. Check the ATES rating and the New Zealand Avalanche Advisory.
  3. Go with a buddy. Both of you should carry and know how to use an avalanche transceiver, a snow shovel and a probe.

Unsafe water source Whakaari 

Due to historic mining activities, high levels of arsenic and heavy metals may be present in the soil and streams in the Whakaari area. Filtering or boiling the stream water does not remove the contamination.

Visitors should not use the natural water sources for drinking, cooking, or washing based on current information available on the contamination.

Heather Jock, McIntyre and McIntosh huts may have water in their tanks for use, but this is not guaranteed. Carry all the water you need when you visit the site.