Mid Timaru Creek

You can hunt red deer, tahr, chamois and pigs in the Tīmaru River/Hawea hunting block, which includes most of the Tīmaru River catchment.

Animals present are red deer, tahr, chamois and pigs in low to moderate numbers.

This block includes most of the Tīmaru River catchment, but not the Mt Prospect Ridge, and below Junction Hut the block is confined to bush areas. Parts of the Breast Creek headwaters, and Lake Hawea faces are also included, but you can only access these from the Tīmaru valley.

The vegetation in the valley is a mix of briar, matagouri, mānuka/kānuka, and mountain beech/tamauka, which dominates the middles reaches. Higher up towards Dingle Peak and Breast Hill there are extensive tussock grasslands.

During the roar period; in the months of March and April, the block divides into four separately balloted portions:

• Lower Tīmaru block (the lower regions on the true right)
• Mid Tīmaru block (the lower reaches on the true left and both sides of the valley in its mid reaches)
• Upper Tīmaru block (the mid section of this valley with the lower reaches of the block on the true right and both sides of the valley in its upper section)
• Breast Creek block (lies within the upper reaches of Breast Creek and can be accessed either by helicopter or by travelling through the Mid Tīmaru block)

See Wanaka roar block system.

From Hawea township take Gladstone Road and then Tīmaru Creek Road for 10 km to a car park just before the Tīmaru River road bridge. Then follow the Tīmaru River Track which follows the true left, or if the river is high there is a high water track to Junction Hut.

Hunting access from the Breast Hill/Te Araroa Track is not allowed as the easements do not permit dogs or firearms.

There is an access easement from the lower Tīmaru River to the part of the block lying on Corner Peak, but you must have landholder permission to take dogs or firearms.

Aircraft access is by DOC permit only, contact local operators.

Dingleburn Station, Lake Hawea Station.

NZTopo50 series: CA13, CA14

• Breast Creek hunting block map (PDF, 2099K)
• Lower Tīmaru hunting block map (PDF, 1790K)
• Mid Tīmaru hunting block map (PDF, 2069K)
• Upper Tīmaru hunting block map (PDF, 2218K)

• Stodys Hut
• Top Timaru Creek Hut
• Moonlight and Roses Hut

Moonlight and Roses Hut is owned by Dingleburn Station and maintained by DOC, this is open for public use.

Junction Hut belongs to Dingleburn Station and you must obtain permission to use this.

Check for current pesticide operations that may be in progress where you intend to hunt using the pesticide summary map.

The use of shotguns, shotgun-rifle combos, .22 calibre and rim-fire firearms are prohibited on public conservation land unless stated otherwise.

Dogs are allowed in this block with a hunting permit, and you must have landholder permission if using access easements.

If you plan to cross unbridged rivers or side streams, know how to cross safely and be prepared for if you cannot cross.

Do not cross if the river or stream is flooded, you cannot find safe entry and exit points or are unsure it’s safe. Turn back or wait for the river to drop. If in doubt, stay out.

How to cross rivers safely

NIWA river flow forecasts: View a video of national followed by regional river flows

Help control wallabies in this area by reporting sightings

Wallabies can displace other species, affect pastures and native species' habitats.
They also potentially impact production and native ecosystems.

Report your sighting online – it only takes a few minutes.

You can also report wallaby sightings by calling 0800 80 99 66.

More about why wallabies are a problem.