Otago alerts
For your safety, every effort has been made to ensure that this information is correct at the time of writing. However, you should contact the local DOC visitor centre for the latest updates. Changes to weather will affect conditions in the backcountry. Always check the latest weather report (metservice.co.nz) before you venture out and be prepared to change your plans if conditions are unfavourable.
Go to the Mount Aspiring National Park alerts page, or see below for other Otago areas:
Fire
A restricted fire season is in place on all Otago public conservation land and within a 1km fire safety margin, where this applies, except for Queenstown district (see below).
Total fire ban
The lighting of any fire is not permitted at any time within the Queenstown Red Zone or on any of the islands in the Queenstown lakes.
Oteake Conservation Park
Mt Kyeburn Track is closed until further notice. The Mt Kyeburn Track from the Buster Diggings to Kyeburn Diggings Road has been damaged by recent weather events.
The vehicle bridge on Hawkduns Run Road is currently out. The vehicle ford is recommended for experienced 4WD users only.
Hunting
Blackstone Hill is temporarily closed for hunting due to pest control operations.
Coastal Otago
Government Track (Waipori Forest)
The forestry section of the Government Track in Waipori Forest is closed until further notice due to harvesting operations.
Barrs Falls Track (Catlins)
Barrs Falls Track is closed until further notice, due to a large rock fell and destroyed part of the boardwalk.
Trotters Gorge campsite
Trotters Gorge campsite is now closed throughout the winter.
McLean Falls Track
McLean Falls Track is closed for maintenance on 28th and 29th May 2012.
Although there are no current alerts or warnings for other tracks in the Coastal Otago area, you are still advised to contact the nearest visitor centre when planning to walk a track.
Queenstown/Wakatipu Area
Routeburn Track, Rees/Dart Track, Greenstone/Caples Track
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Queenstown Regional Visitor Centre
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Phone:
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+64 3 442 7935
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Address:
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38 Shotover Street
Queenstown 9300
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Email:
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Full office details
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Wanaka/Makarora Area
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Mt Aspiring National Park Visitor Centre
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Phone:
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+64 3 443 7660
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Address:
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Ardmore Street
Wanaka 9305
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Email:
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Full office details
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Rabbit control operations
From 18 July 2011 the Department of Conservation Wanaka Area Office is scheduled to undertake rabbit control operations using Pindone poison in the following public conservation land:
Poison Creek Conservation Area, Hawea River Conservation Area, Clutha River Marginal strip, Reko's Point Conservation Area, Dry Creek Conservation Area, Fallburn Scenic Reserve, Luggate Creek Scenic Reserve and Te Peka Karara (Stevenson's Island).
Cereal baits containing the pesticide will be distributed aerially and ground laid. The baits are approximately 2cm in diameter and dyed green.
Always remember:
- Do not touch bait
- Watch children at all times
- Do not eat animals from this area
- Poison baits or carcasses are deadly to dogs
For further information contact Paul Hondelink at the Wanaka Area Office; email: phondelink@doc.govt.nz
A detailed map of treatment areas and a factsheet are available at the Wanaka Area Office.
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