Thread: Totara stream road, Piropiro, Pureora

Hi all,
Can anyone clarify how far along Totara Stream Road you can drive?
When I used to hunt there over 20 years ago you could drive a car to the quarry at Totara stream, but on current maps it looks like it isn't a road anymore! Maybe a bridge/crossing has washed out?
I was thinking of heading back down to check out some of my old spots, but the maps suggest I'll have to do more walking than 20 years ago when I was a lot fitter...

You can drive as far as the car park for the southern end of the kete track. They have put bollards in to stop you going any further , just wide enough for a quad

Thanks for the reply, but I'm still in the dark as I don't know where the carport and start of the track is. Looking on Google sat etc it looks like maybe the carpark is where I used to drive to, just before the track crosses Totara stream and starts to climb.
Is the carpark a few km (about 3) from the flats, or much closer?

I'm a bit like yourself there @Cigar, hav'nt hunted down that way for 20 years.
Sounds like things have changed alot access wise.
Definatly would consider taking a bicycle there now to cover some ground quicker getting the hunting zone.

If you look on Google maps follow totara stream road until the marked route finishes. Keep following the road in satellite view until you see a sharp turn and clearing where the road turns south. This is far as you can drive a car and where the bollards are.

@Cigar pm sent @trapperjohn yep the timber trail has wiped out some good spots (angels rest zigzag etc) but it has made it easier to access south of the maramataha

Thanks guys.
It sounds like the carpark is where I used to park, which is where earlier maps had the road ending. No bollards in those days, but you needed a decent 4WD to go any further as the approach and departure angles were pretty steep crossing the stream.

Originally Posted by scotty

@Cigar pm sent @trapperjohn yep the timber trail has wiped out some good spots (angels rest zigzag etc) but it has made it easier to access south of the maramataha

Hmmm, Maramataha- south was where I preferred to hunt, Did'nt get thrashed so much. Nice country. Will go back some day soon and have another look(with bicycle).
cheers for update

Originally Posted by trapperjohn

Hmmm, Maramataha- south was where I preferred to hunt, Did'nt get thrashed so much. Nice country. Will go back some day soon and have another look(with bicycle).
cheers for update

and i think it still doesnt get thrashed ....most who go down there still think they will get something riding a quad round the forestry roads......... and then go away saying "there aint no deer here".... they are there just gotta get away from the forestry roads a bike is a good option for accessing the old horse track , carols , forbes crossing etc

Cool, Ill be off to trademe looking to see what I rig up as bicycle, Never saw the thrill in looking for deer and pigs from the road either.

I really need to get down there for a look, it’s way closer to home than the ruahines where I normally go.


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Yep, carpark is where I used to park, just before the Totara stream crossing. On the trip in the road seemed steeper and rougher than I remembered, but less so on the way out!
More of a sightseeing trip than hunting, but a reasonable amount of sign, some really nice bush. Only deer we saw was one someone had shot yesterday, met the hunter and his wife later and had a good chat.