Ōparara-Kohaihai-Ugly hunting

General information

The Ōparara Basin and upper Kohaihai lie north east and inland of Karamea. 

A number of smaller streams feed into the Ōparara including the Postal and Fenian Creeks and further east Greys Creek and the Ugly River flow into the Karamea River. 

Forests are a mix of silver beech, podocarp and broadleaf with small areas of open tops in the headwaters. Parts of the Ōparara Basin are cutover forest.

There are extensive limestone formations in the Ōparara Basin and extra care is needed if travelling in these areas.

Access

Access to the Ōparara Basin is via McCallums Mill Road road to the Ōparara Arch carpark, about 21 km from Karamea. Access to the Honeycomb Hill area upstream of Nimrodel Stream is restricted. The lower Ōparara, Postal and Fenians creeks are accessed by the Fenians track that starts at the Ōparara quarry.

There is difficult foot access up the Kohaihai river from the road end. There is no easy foot access into Grey Creek or the Ugly River. These are both within the Tasman Wilderness Area and aircraft landings are not permitted. However helicopters can land on the ridge at the head of the Postal River that allows walking access into the Ugly. The Fenian Range and Karamea River can be accessed off the end of the Umere Road.

There is a helicopter service based at Karamea. Please note that aircraft access into the Tasman Wilderness Area is prohibited.

Landholders

There is no private or leased land to cross to access the inland areas however access to forests near the coast may require crossing private land and permission is required.

Maps

NZTopo50 maps BQ22, BP22, BQ23, BP23

Dogs

The area is a National Park and dogs are prohibited.

Huts

Greys Hut

Hunting

• Red deer can be found throughout the area at any time of the year. The more popular hunting areas are in the Postal and Fenians Creek and Ugly River. 
• Chamois are occasionally seen in alpine areas. 
• Possums are controlled over parts of the area by AHB and DOC. 
• Feral pigs are widespread throughout the area but goats are uncommon.

Additional information

Hunters are advised to check for current pesticide operations that may be in progress where they intend to hunt. 

There are stoat trap lines in the Ōparara. Do not disturb these traps.

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

Report any goat sightings in the area to DOC.