Victoria Range hunting

General information

The Victoria Range is about 40 km long and extends from SH7 at the Rahu Saddle north to where it joins the Brunner Range. There are several valleys and routes that provide access into the area. The Victoria Range has deep forested valleys and extensive open tops to about 1600 m. 

Vegetation is mostly beech forest at lower altitude and areas of tussock tops along the range. The largest river valley, the Waitahu, is open in its lower reaches but has only small clearings above the Montgomerie River confluence. Access to the open tops is relatively easy in several places.

Access

There are several tracks and routes that provide access to the open tops. Travel along the open tops is possible but in places it becomes quite steep and rugged. Bush travel is generally reasonable. Watch for bluffs.

Waitahu

The Waitahu provides good foot access along an old 4WD track as far as Montgomerie Hut. There is rough 4WD access for about 5km in the lower part of the valley. After Montgomerie Hut a track goes up Montgomerie River then climbs up to Kirwans Hut, this track continues down to Capleston. Access into the upper Waitahu, Montgomerie and Shaw Rivers is by following the river and bush terraces. A walking track from SH7 (Rahu Saddle) provides access to Lake Stream Hut and a route leads to the open tops from this point.

Klondike

A walking track from SH7 (Rahu Saddle) provides access to the head basin and open tops at the southern end of the Victoria Range.

Wheel Creek

An overgrown track provides access into Wheel Creek from the Maruia River. It is difficult to follow where it sidles above the gorge. Access to the tops beyond Wheel Creek Hut is easy.

Landholders

Maruia Gorge-Wheel Creek. Peter Brooker Ph: +64 3 523 8884.

Maps

NZTopo50 BT21, BT22, BS21, BS 22.

Dogs

Dogs are prohibited except where authorisation has been granted by DOC. People wishing to take a dog into this area must seek authorisation from the DOC office. 

Huts

There are several huts in this area:

• Montgomerie. A standard 6 bunk hut.
• Kirwans. A serviced 12 bunk hut.
• Lake Stream. A basic 2 bunk bivvy. 
• Wheel Creek. A basic 6 bunk hut. No official track into Wheel Creek anymore.
• Top Waitahu bivvy. A basic 2 person bivvy. No track to Top Waitahu

Hunting

Red deer can be found throughout the area at any time of the year and hunting during the roar is popular. Chamois can be found in alpine areas. Goats are reasonably common especially in the upper Waitahu and Wheel Creek area. Feral pigs are present but uncommon on these tops. Possums are regularly controlled by TBfree throughout the lower parts of the area.

Additional information

Fishing in the Montgomerie River and Larry’s River is renowned for good sized brown trout.