Waimana River Advice

Hi all just after some advice please. Just looking at exploring new places to me.I'm looking at heading up the Waimana river in spring then walk into Otapukawa hut. Is it possible to drive up the river with a standard 4wd or do you need lift kit etc.

Happy for pm's if you prefer. Thank you.

Standard 4wd used to be enough to get to Otap hut, probably been almost a decade since I last drove up there though. track was always a little rougher straight after winter when it hadn't seen much use, usually no issue though. Hopefully someone with more recent experience chimes in.

Last time I was there the river had eroded into the carpark/road at the end and the only way down the river with a vehicle was down a fairly short but steep and tall drop off.
This was likewise a few years ago and this may have been rectified.

Also the same trip I camped up in the headwaters of the Otap and could hear wild dogs howling and prowling all night. No deer within the valley as a result it seemed.

Havnt seen it since before winter (they've had alot of rain up there last few months). Normally pretty easy going to drive to Otap. hut, need somthing with ground clearance similar to what a standard ute would have.
Ive got deer in the river in there before, can be quite hit and miss because locals park in the river and send there dogs up the sides looking for pigs which can spook the area up alot.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Skinny White Boy

Havnt seen it since before winter (they've had alot of rain up there last few months). Normally pretty easy going to drive to Otap. hut, need somthing with ground clearance similar to what a standard ute would have.
Ive got deer in the river in there before, can be quite hit and miss because locals park in the river and send there dogs up the sides looking for pigs which can spook the area up alot.

---

Thanks for advice....Sounds as if its worth a look.

I was up there in Feb. Need a reasonable ute, definitely gets hammered by the locals. Saw 1 dead deer and 1 live one that I missed running through a tiny gap. Locals not very friendly up there either so just have your wits about you

Should be like a highway mate the locals go up very often dogging deer they keep the track clear the like of a 4wd hilux should be fine .

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hillbilly

Should be like a highway mate the locals go up very often dogging deer they keep the track clear the like of a 4wd hilux should be fine .

---

He's screwed then, he drives a Ranger. Is this finally the time to show those pics of where you got stuck @Mohawk660?

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Jesus you may as well take my man card off me at the sametime!!!!