Mount Aurum

You can hunt goats, fallow deer and chamois in the 6,859 ha Mt Aurum hunting block located in the mid Shotover catchment north of Queenstown.

Animals present are goats, fallow deer and chamois.

This restricted hunting area is bookable online.

This 6,859 ha block spans the eastern Richardson Mountains and the mid Shotover catchment north of Queenstown.

The terrain is rugged shady creeks, steep spurs and peaks rising to over 2000 metres. The vegetation is mixed with snow tussock above 900 m, and beech/tawhai forest and sub-alpine shrubland in the gullies. There are also extensive areas of introduced wilding trees such as larch and douglas fir.

A maximum of 4 rifles will be allowed in the block at any one time, for a maximum permit duration of 5 days.

The terraces around the Skippers old school and homestead are a prohibited area and hunting is not allowed.

The main access is from Queenstown, take the Skippers Rd (turn off from Coronet Peak Skifield Rd) and continue on the narrow winding 13 km road to Skippers Bridge. From here tracks lead through the historic Skippers terraces, although no shooting is allowed until well clear of this area.

NZTopo50 series: CB11

Dogs are allowed in this block with a hunting permit.

• Archie’s Hut – Copper Creek
• Bullendale Hut
• Crystal Hut
• Dynamo Hut
• Dynamo Red Hut

During high winds small-sized branches are falling out of dead trees within the densely forested pine stands in Mount Aurum Recreation Reserve. Avoid areas of dead trees during high winds.

Avalanches usually occur from May to November in Wakatipu, Wānaka and Central Otago. There can also be avalanches outside this period, if there is still snow coverage.

If you are going into avalanche terrain, always:

1. Have the relevant avalanche skills and training.
2. Check the ATES rating and the New Zealand Avalanche Advisory.
3. Go with a buddy. Both of you should carry and know how to use an avalanche transceiver, a snow shovel and a probe.