Mill Creek hunting

Located in Lower Matukituki Valley hunting in the Otago region

Mill Creek hunting block consists of the higher slopes of the Bledisloe Gorge and Albert Burn Saddle with lower regions along the Mill Creek/Corner Burn catchment and true left of the West and East Matukituki River. You can hunt Red Deer and Chamois.

About this hunting block

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

General Information

This block consists of the beech/tawhai forest on the true left of the East Matukituki River, with tussock slopes above the bushline. The gradient is steep from Junction Flat with easiest access to the higher levels via the Bledisloe Gorge tramping track. Camping is possible with several streams to provide water.

Above bush there are long easy tussock slopes which sidle across to the head of Hester Pinney Creek and up to Albert Burn saddle. The lower regions are accessed from the true left of the Matukituki River opposite the Aspiring Homestead. Follow an unmarked cattle track on the true left of Mill Creek/Corner Burn; a bush ridge above the gorge will give access to open flats of the upper catchments.

This block is balloted for the ROAR period during the months of March and April.

See Wanaka roar block system.

Access

You access this block by crossing the Matukituki River, either at Cameron Flat, further up the East Branch or opposite Aspiring Homestead if entering via Mill Creek/Corner Burn.

Landholder

Randall Aspinall, Mt Aspiring Station
Phone: +64 21 647 155.

Dogs

No dogs allowed.

Maps

NZTopo50 series: CA11

Mill Creek hunting block map (PDF, 2,263K)

Know before you go

Pesticides

Check for current pesticide operations that may be in progress where you intend to hunt using the Pesticide Summary map. 

Prohibited firearms

The use of shotguns, shotgun-rifle combos, .22 calibre and rim-fire firearms are prohibited on public conservation land unless stated otherwise.

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.

Stay safe when crossing rivers and streams

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

Do not cross if the river or stream 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

NIWA river flow forecasts: View a video of national followed by regional river flows