Thread: Queenstown / Wanaka and Central Otago Hunting Locations

I'm new to Queenstown and am keen on making the most of the location to get out hunting more often, but am lacking some local knowledge. The local DOC office seem to be there primarily to help tourists wanting to find Fergburger or the road to Glenorchy...
Working Monday - Friday I'd be really keen on finding some places that aren't too time consuming to get to and are accessible for overnighters (or a couple nights once the daylight starts to return making a Friday night slog after work possible). I spend plenty of time in Wanaka as well, so would be keen on any places in that area too.

Over Queens Birthday weekend I went up the Dart river with some mates and saw NOTHING. Some old sign in the riverbeds and that was it. We figured the late winter 1080 drop in August 2014 killed off the majority up there. Spent a night in the Daley's flat hut and another under the rock bivvy. An FYI for anybody heading that way - The track is destroyed (technically, it's closed) between Sandy Bluff and the Daley's Flat hut. A lot of it by smaller slips and the big slip which created the lake and the big detour around it (which is bloody impressive and worth a look). It probably adds 2+ hours on to the trek. We're all fit and like to move along fairly rapidly but it still took us over 6 hours to Daley's Flat with a lunch break.


I'm not overly picky on the animal so any deer, thar or chamois locations would be welcomed!


Cheers in advance