Thread: South Island 4wd Trip Recommendations

Hi All,

I am looking for some recommendations for blocks that have 4wd access (Nothing too crazy!)
As I am wanting to do a hunting tour for about 2 weeks during the roar.

Reason for the 4wd access is there is a gentleman that is getting into his wiser years and isn't too keen on mountain climbing.

Not after anyone's secret spots just after a few recommendations on some areas that may be worth exploring.

Cheers

pm'd ya

St James off the Rainbow road

Originally Posted by Happy Jack

St James off the Rainbow road

Recommend just doing the whole rainbow road too, worth it just for the drive.

Originally Posted by longshot

Recommend just doing the whole rainbow road too, worth it just for the drive.

Absolutely agree

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

The McKenzie Trust Hut in the McAulay is simply magnificent and very doable in a std 4wd, you should see Tahr from the hut. Shooting something in there is possible but requires a bit of both cunning and luck

Originally Posted by Tentman

The McKenzie Trust Hut in the McAulay is simply magnificent and very doable in a std 4wd, you should see Tahr from the hut. Shooting something in there is possible but requires a bit of both cunning and luck

Thanks for that, I like the sound of a bit of variety!

You wouldn’t want to go near the Macaulay Hut in the weekend as it will be crowded.

I've always enjoyed it (the McKenzie hut) both crowded and when we've had it to ourselves. Depends on your outlook and expectations I guess.

Take camping gear..good camping gear incase the Hutt is full, it's a big hut and sleeps 14 iirc, though there is room on the floor if need be. Go during the week if you can, less chance of being crowded.

Hut has a big fire with inbuilt oven and gas.
If you're in Tekapo for supplies before heading up the MaCaulay please stop in at the Challenge garage and check for a Hut gas bottle (9kg)....may nor be one just depends if an empty one has been dropped off previously. The trust pays for it...just a good system that relies on good buggers taking the time to drop it off and the next gb to pick it up when going in. Gold coin donations or larger dropped into the honesty pole at the hut go towards paying for the hut upkeep.

Mavora Lakes on the way to Te Anau is really nice.

Originally Posted by Twodiffs

Take camping gear..good camping gear incase the Hutt is full, it's a big hut and sleeps 14 iirc, though there is room on the floor if need be. Go during the week if you can, less chance of being crowded.

Hut has a big fire with inbuilt oven and gas.
If you're in Tekapo for supplies before heading up the MaCaulay please stop in at the Challenge garage and check for a Hut gas bottle (9kg)....may nor be one just depends if an empty one has been dropped off previously. The trust pays for it...just a good system that relies on good buggers taking the time to drop it off and the next gb to pick it up when going in. Gold coin donations or larger dropped into the honesty pole at the hut go towards paying for the hut upkeep.

Sounds like a similar system we use in the north for some of our locations.
The hut sounds nice!
We don't necessarily need a hut we can camp out of the 4wd, does that open up some spots?

Oteake conservation area in Otago would be well worth an adventure for hunting, camping and 4wd.
Think the gate is shut till around Labour weekend for 4wd access??

Originally Posted by Steveb

Sounds like a similar system we use in the north for some of our locations.
The hut sounds nice!
We don't necessarily need a hut we can camp out of the 4wd, does that open up some spots?

Yes....to a degree, the biggest thing I can point out is good cooking gear, white spirit if you have it, good down sleeping bags and tent. You'll need that if there on a weekend if the hut is full. It can be chokka with Thar hunters or tbh pissheads who wanna just play up until the early hours, and that does NOT bode well with the hunters which is fair enough.