Rumbling Burn
Alerts
Boundaries are approximate and not suitable for accurate boundary definition. Check current DOC permit conditions before hunting. Data retrieved 31 July 2026 and may now be out of date.
Chamois, Deer - Red
A permit is required to hunt on public conservation land.
This hunting area is covered by an 'open area permit' – get it online.
Before lighting a fire on public conservation land, check it's alright to light. Extinguish all fires before leaving huts and campsites. How to minimise the risk of fire.
Dogs allowed. Keep dog under control at all times.
About this hunting block
You can hunt red deer and chamois in the Rumbling Burn hunting block, which is is part of Mt Alta Conservation Area.
Animals present are red deer and chamois in low to moderate numbers.
General information
This block is part of Mt Alta Conservation Area, taking in most of the Rumbling Burn catchment as well as some of the upper slopes overlooking West Wānaka and the Matukituki delta. The country is mostly open steep tussocklands, with some beech/tawhai forest and scrub in the north branch of the Rumbling Burn, and some alpine gravel and rock on the Mt Alta ridge dividing the two branches.
This block is balloted for the roar period during the months of March and April.
Access
Take the Wānaka Mount Aspiring Road from Wanaka and turn right onto West Wānaka Road, about 5 km beyond Glendhu Bay. From the Homestead Bay car park at the end of this road, access is on foot.
As this access crosses a private deer farm, firearms must be carried with their bolt removed until in the hunting block.
Follow the track to Station Creek and Colquhouns Beach. At a junction about 2 km from Station Creek, the Rumbling Burn Track is signposted. This track is unmarked, initially climbing steadily through open tussock country along Daniels Spur before sidling to the south branch of the Rumbling Burn, where the hunting block starts.
Helicopter access is by DOC permit only, contact local operators.
Landholders
James Cochrane, West Wānaka Station, ph +64 27 329 3315.
Maps
NZTopo50 series: CA12
Dogs
Dogs are allowed in this block with a hunting permit, and you must have landholder permission to take your dog over private land when accessing the block.
There may be avalanche danger
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:
- Have the relevant avalanche skills and training.
- Check the ATES rating and the New Zealand Avalanche Advisory.
- Go with a buddy. Both of you should carry and know how to use an avalanche transceiver, a snow shovel and a probe.
Weather
Forecast near the middle of the block