Tīmaru River/Hawea hunting

Animals present are red deer, tahr, chamois and pigs in low to moderate numbers.

General information

This block includes most of the Tīmaru River catchment, but not the Mt Prospect Ridge, and below Junction Hut the block is confined to bush areas. Parts of the Breast Creek headwaters, and Lake Hawea faces are also included, but you can only access these from the Tīmaru valley.

The vegetation in the valley is a mix of briar, matagouri, mānuka/kānuka, and mountain beech/tamauka, which dominates the middles reaches. Higher up towards Dingle Peak and Breast Hill there are extensive tussock grasslands.

During the roar period; in the months of March and April, the block divides into four separately balloted portions:

• Lower Tīmaru block (the lower regions on the true right)
• Mid Tīmaru block (the lower reaches on the true left and both sides of the valley in its mid reaches)
• Upper Tīmaru block (the mid section of this valley with the lower reaches of the block on the true right and both sides of the valley in its upper section)
• Breast Creek block (lies within the upper reaches of Breast Creek and can be accessed either by helicopter or by travelling through the Mid Tīmaru block)

See Wanaka roar block system.

Access

From Hawea township take Gladstone Road and then Tīmaru Creek Road for 10 km to a car park just before the Tīmaru River road bridge. Then follow the Tīmaru River Track which follows the true left, or if the river is high there is a high water track to Junction Hut.

Hunting access from the Breast Hill/Te Araroa Track is not allowed as the easements do not permit dogs or firearms.

There is an access easement from the lower Tīmaru River to the part of the block lying on Corner Peak, but you must have landholder permission to take dogs or firearms.

Landholders

Dingle Burn Station, and Tom Rowley, Lake Hawea Station.

Maps

NZTopo50 series: CA13, CA14

• Breast Creek hunting block map (PDF, 2099K)
• Lower Tīmaru hunting block map (PDF, 1790K)
• Mid Tīmaru hunting block map (PDF, 2069K)
• Upper Tīmaru hunting block map (PDF, 2218K)

Huts

• Stodys Hut
• Top Timaru Creek Hut
• Moonlight and Roses Hut

Moonlight and Roses Hut is owned by Dingle Burn Station and maintained by DOC, this is open for public use.

Junction Hut belongs to Dingle Burn Station and you must obtain permission to use this.

Know before you go

Dogs

Dogs are allowed in this block with a hunting permit, and you must have landholder permission if using access easements.

Rivers

Stay safe when crossing rivers

If you plan to cross unbridged rivers, know how to cross safely and be prepared for if you cannot cross.

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.

How to cross rivers safely