Canterbury alerts

Updated: 27 February 2012

View the latest updates and important notices about places managed by DOC in the Canterbury region.

On this page:

Arthur's Pass and Craigieburn/Torlesse ranges
North Canterbury
Christchurch and Banks Peninsula
Mid and South Canterbury
Mackenzie Country and Waitaki
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park

Remember - safety is your responsibility! Always check the latest information about facilities and conditions with DOC before you set out. Report hazards to DOC Hotline 0800 362 468.

Rivers: Check the latest forecast and make good assessments regarding safe crossing before entering the water.

Avalanche risk: For latest avalanche / snow information visit: www.avalanche.net.nz

Arthur's Pass National Park and Craigieburn/Torlesse ranges

Storm damaged routes

Extremely heavy rainfall received has caused considerable damage to some tramping routes/tracks - particularly in western catchments.

• Kellys Creek: Numerous Track wash-outs; slow going.
• Otehake valley: Major landslides in the lower valley area (1.7 km downstream of Whaiti Stream) require care to cross. This route is not maintained (overgrown, multiple trees fallen) and should only be attempted by experienced parties.
• Poulter valley: The section of the Poulter Valley Track between Mt White Road and Pete Stream has been re-routed and is now passable for mountain and quad bikes.
• Rolleston River Track: Slow going with considerable damage to the track.
• Rough Creek: Snow at top and numerous windfalls.
• Taramakau valley: Fallen trees on Otira River flood-track. Emergency shelter at Taramakau junction has been washed away.
• Three Passes Route: The section of track with major landslips from Grassy Flats Hut to the Styx Road end has been re-routed. Care is still required along the river bed when river levels are higher than normal. The alternative via Arahura Track also has landslides south of Snowball Creek and at Tillers Gulch. Ice axe, crampons, avalanche skills required to cross Whitehorn Pass.

Arthur's Pass local walks

• Bealey valley track: There is a new link track joining to the Dobson Nature Walk (permanent signage yet to be erected). Note: current publications do not show the new track alignments.

Changes to other facilities and services

• Arthur's Pass Visitor Centre: The visitor centre is undergoing renovations until late October. Some facilities will be affected from time to time.
• Avalanche Creek Shelter campsite: This does not have powered sites as described in some publications.
• Avoca Homestead (Broken River): The road to the homestead is now closed about 1 km prior to the Broken River ford.
• Carrington Hut: The radio is not currently working.
• Lake Pearson: Due to vandalism only limited toilet facilities are available at present.
• Locke Stream Hut (Taramakau valley): The radio based in this hut has been permanently removed.

Please enquire at the Arthur's Pass Visitor Centre for further information:

Arthur's Pass National Park Visitor Centre
Phone:	+64 3 318 9211
Address:	SH 73 Arthur's Pass
Email:
Full office details

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North Canterbury

St James Walkway

• Numerous slips along the walkway following heavy rain, but these can be negotiated.
• Washout on the track heading to Magladen Hut. Negotiable with care.

St James Conservation Area

• Vehicle access: Public vehicle access for off-road vehicles (4WD vehicles, quad bikes and motorbikes) is now open for summer for those registering to take their vehicles into the area. It may be closed at any time due to wet and dangerous conditions; check the latest status via the website.

Nina and Doubtful valleys

• Lucretia Stream and Duchess Stream: Both footbridges have been permanently removed. (Lewis Pass BT23 463992 and 444987). The track between these streams is not maintained.
• Doubtful Hut: Hut has suffered vandalism damage; it is habitable but the fireplace cannot be used.
• Nina Valley: Washed out section oif the track has been re-routed and marked.

Sylvia Flat hot springs

• The hot springs are closed due to an active landslide area in the vicinity of the pool.

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Christchurch and Banks Peninsula

• Packhorse Track: Packhorse track between Packhorse Hut and Mt Herbert Shelter closed due to rockfall danger. This section of track closed until inspections are completed.
• Godley Head: Closed. All walking and mountain biking tracks in this area are closed due to earthquake damage.
• Nikau Palm Gully Scenic Reserve: Closed due to danger from falling rocks.
• Lyttelton Reserves (Major Hornbrook, Chalmers, Crater Rim) closed due to rock hazards. It is very important that the public to not enter the reserves at any point. See Christchurch City Council website for Port Hills tracks updates.
• Ripapa Island Historic Reserve: Closed, repairs to the fort required.
• Historic Adderley Head Signal Station: Closed due to severe earthquake damage.

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Mid and South Canterbury

• Forest Creek access, Te Kahui Kaupeka Conservation Park: Access up Forest Creek is by walking in the creek bed only. This access is not marked or sign-posted. The public land in Forest Creek is administered by the Commissioner of Crown Lands. DOC is currently working with the Commissioner of Crown Lands to develop this access.
• Kakahu Scenic Reserve Track: Kakahu Scenic Reserve Track is closed due to track condition.
• Staveley lime kilns: Closed - these kilns are closed due to fallen masonry following the 2010 Canterbury earthquake

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Mackenzie Country and Waitaki

• Stony Stream Bivvy damaged in rock fall: This small bivvy located within Stony Stream, Dobson valley, in Ruataniwha Conservation Park was damaged by major rockfall. It is now unsafe and all visitors to the region are advised to keep clear.

Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park

• De La Beche Hut: This hut has been demolished. There is no longer a hut at this site
• Hooker Valley Track: Over the next few months there may be short delays while two new swingbridges are constructed near Hooker Lake and a replacement of the 2nd swingbridge.
• Hooker Hut: because of a crack developing behind the hut it is recommended as an emergency shelter only.

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