About this hunting block

General information

The Taramakau River extends from the Tasman Sea to 962m Harper Pass, a route to the upper Hurunui River. The lower valley can be accessed from SH73. The upper valley from Aickens is mostly wide gravel or grassed riverbed with mixed beech forested hill slopes and extensive tussock tops.

The Otehake Valley is a heavily forested large tributary on the true left. There are many smaller side streams. The upper valley is most popular for hunting and is open all year round. It is also a popular tramping route to Canterbury. There are several large section of private land in the upper valley.

Carry a PLB or radio. Mobile phone coverage is often poor and should not be relied on.

Access

Access to the upper Taramakau is from SH73 at Aickens corner. There is a signposted carpark where the foot track access commences. This crosses the Ōtira River then follows a rough vehicle track for a few km then travel is via river bed and short sections of track to Harper Pass.

Note: The Ōtira can be dangerous to cross if in flood and there is an alternative route by crossing a footbridge 4.5km up the road towards Ōtira and then a track which returns to the Taramakau Valley.

The Otehake Valley can be accessed by a rough track that starts on the true left 2.5 km upstream from the confluence with the Taramakau.

There is a marked track that starts at Pfeifer Creek, loops past Lake Kaurapataka and returns to the Taramakau via the Otehake River. There is also a marked track that starts opposite Michael Creek which provides access to Townsend Hut and the open tops.

Maps

NZTopo50 BU20, BU21, BY20

Dogs

Dogs are not allowed. 

Huts

There are several standard or basic DOC huts in the valley:

• Kiwi Hut
• Locke Stream Hut
• Townsend Hut (subalpine)
• Otehake Hut
• Koropuku (Big Tops) Hut

Species

• Red deer can be found throughout the area at any time of the year however spring hunting on the grass flats and the Roar is most popular. 
• Chamois are found mainly in the alpine areas in low numbers. 
• Hares are found throughout. 
• Possums are controlled by TBfree and DOC in the lower parts of the valley only. 
• Feral pigs and goats are uncommon.

Additional information

Please report any goat sightings in the upper Taramakau to DOC.