Anyone know if these Rata Range (Catlins) roads are locked?

Looking to poke around in the Catlins area. There are a bunch of roads like Puketawa, Shaw, Rocky Knob, and Catlins roads southwest of the Rata range, east of the Catlins river track, that look like they snake through pine forestry. Does anyone know if these roads are private/locked?

Is there an easy way online to find out if roads are open or not? Ive been in situations where hunting plans were foiled because when I attempted to drive through an area to access DOC land, there was a big locked barrier in the way. :(
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I feel like I heard they had recently been gated.

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Originally Posted by LMcNab

I feel like I heard they had recently been gated.

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Shame if true, though sometimes ive called forestry numbers on gates for access permission, they obliged (yay) on quiet days with no trucks. Other times with some companies they close those gates permanently to recreational users of the forest.
If I end up checking that area out I will report back with the status. Depends on if I get a spot in one of the restricted areas.

If Rayonier it’s a whole new experience. Basically individuals are out. Clubs are in.

Some of the other companies are very accomodating

Sent pm

Access roads go thru forestry blocks. While harvesting in there they have the gates locked for safety reasons. So in short, yep they’re locked at the moment and have been for a couple of years. Forests are owned managed by Rayonier Matariki Forests in Invers if you want to talk to them.


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Thanks for the info. I was trying to find out which company owns the forestry there so I can at least ask them if I can walk by foot on the side of the roads there, but if there is going to be a lot of truck activity i will likely go elsewhere.

The better hunting around there is the fringes, which are all pretty accessible on foot. Only bush during the roar period. I wouldn’t bother going deep into that country unless it’s during the roar.

Get on the Catlins River Walk and cross anywhere up into the sunny faces over the river and you’ll find deer.

PM me with any specific areas you want to look at down that way and I’ll probably be able to help.

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I know manager at Wisp Hill if you wanted me to ask him what the go is up there. Won’t be there much longer either though as that place is going into trees also…. Bloody criminal.

There was plenty of fresh sign at Willis Stream, about an hour easy walk down from the top car park. Nice place to camp and there is a forestry
track to it if you manage to gain access. There were 4wheeler marks in the grass and a freshly setup possum trap.

I was there a couple of months ago just for day walk with my wife. Very pleasant and I think you’ll do okay. Easy enough to explore for the first time.

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Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

I know manager at Wisp Hill if you wanted me to ask him what the go is up there. Won’t be there much longer either though as that place is going into trees also…. Bloody criminal.

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Is that the triangular shaped restricted block that is surrounded by private land? Looks more difficult to access at a glance, so i suppose access basically requires permission to walk across the private land.

That is a small restricted block, it’s steep and pretty hard hunting, but worth a look.

Wisp Hill Station mainly boundaries all the Catlins Rainforest Park from Mt Tautuku area westwards. From Catlins River walk past Thisbe Stream and west to Wairepo Creek.

There are a couple of access points off Cairn Road. ROW’s thru station to Public land go thru swamps, so you can’t follow them without trespassing.

Access to public land thru the station will improve in the future though which will be good.


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