Kelly Knights

Gidday, I know that DOC have closed the track due to land owner access disputes but I’ve read that you can drop down into river and come back up to track entry.
Has anyone done this recently? My dad is getting on and I’d like to do some trips with him before we lose the opportunity.

Also, is it feasible to carry on up to the tops for a day trip? Both reasonably fit. TIA

Cheers

@popshot is you expert on that spot.

While I don't know what the current dispute is, Ive used that track alot over the years and talked with many of the managers and owners there. I suspect it will have been a mix of reasons but cant help wondering if its due to some of the poaching and trespass they had to put up with?

Its worth ringing the owners, explaining you situation, and asking if they will allow you through.

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Originally Posted by McNotty

Gidday, I know that DOC have closed the track due to land owner access disputes but I’ve read that you can drop down into river and come back up to track entry.
Has anyone done this recently? My dad is getting on and I’d like to do some trips with him before we lose the opportunity.

Also, is it feasible to carry on up to the tops for a day trip? Both reasonably fit. TIA

Cheers

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If it's the tops to the south of Kelly knight you want to access you can go up the Pari track. No further really. And if you want creek/lower hunting similar to Kelly Knight you will get it in the Pari stream and the next stream south. Both easily accessible from the Pari track.

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Originally Posted by Tahr

If it's the tops to the south of Kelly knight you want to access you can go up the Pari track. No further really. And if you want creek/lower hunting similar to Kelly Knight you will get it in the Pari stream and the next stream south. Both easily accessible from the Pari track.

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Thanks Tahr, went up the Pari track a couple years ago. That lower level bush south of track looked the business for some bush hunting.
We came out on to tops to about 30 plus degrees and no wind. Was a stinker.

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Originally Posted by McNotty

Thanks Tahr, went up the Pari track a couple years ago. That lower level bush south of track looked the business for some bush hunting.
We came out on to tops to about 30 plus degrees and no wind. Was a stinker.

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After about 30 mins or so walking up the Pari track if you turn right (southish) you will eventually strike an excellent old slip which drops into the creek. It's a great spot. And you can hunt right up that creek. You can also drop into that creek at the second camp site at the foot of the main climb.

From what I understand it’s a combination of poaching and someone made a complaint around animal welfare. I’ve tried calling a number of times and been told in no uncertain terms no. I hunted a lot up there over the years and met the manager no less than half a dozen times. He simply isn’t interested in letting anyone through.

You can drop down into the river and there's a high chance of a deer while you’re down there but I imagine you’d still need the farm managers permission to drop down into the river as you have to access through his farm land and park your car there. No harm in giving him a call and trying your luck though.

Another option would be Purity Hut.

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Originally Posted by Andrew46826

From what I understand it’s a combination of poaching and someone made a complaint around animal welfare. I’ve tried calling a number of times and been told in no uncertain terms no. I hunted a lot up there over the years and met the manager no less than half a dozen times. He simply isn’t interested in letting anyone through.

You can drop down into the river and there's a high chance of a deer while you’re down there but I imagine you’d still need the farm managers permission to drop down into the river as you have to access through his farm land and park your car there. No harm in giving him a call and trying your luck though.

Another option would be Purity Hut.

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Correct a animal welfare issue raised by a tramper that was no more and no less than a cow in a swamp that’d got itself stuck rather than alert staff a complaint was made said cow was found and rescued by staff well before they received a complaint in which case they closed access a shame was really good access spent a lot of time their nice farm to fat cattle go figure

Thats so sad! The outdoors community is its own worst enemy sometimes. I suspect like probably many others, I used to tell the manager that I'd leave a bottle of wine or dozen of beer in the intentions book box at gate, because it always pays to be grateful and recognise that showing some gratitude might make up for some of the silly actions of others.
They were really good. A couple of times I wanted to head in via Rangi and come out through the farm after they had officially closed the property for the winter. The manager both times said yes.
And as said, the farm was always well run and stock looked great. I really feel terrible about that news.

There is public access into the river through the farm at the end of pouranaki road, you do need permission.Its a good walk up the river and then you can climb up to the track when you get past the farmland, gets hard going if you stay in the river. Tops access at the hut to the Rangi side,and north access half way up the track.

I can remember going though the farm at the end Pouranaki road and up the river, was many years ago though and yeah it is a good walk if you are going up to Kelly Nights hut.
Only other option is to drop into the Pari from Mania road end and down to the Pouranaki , but probably no difference time wise

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Originally Posted by Rangidan

There is public access into the river through the farm at the end of pouranaki road, you do need permission.Its a good walk up the river and then you can climb up to the track when you get past the farmland, gets hard going if you stay in the river. Tops access at the hut to the Rangi side,and north access half way up the track.

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Are you sure?
Access to purity through Richards place is all good, but i thought access through to Kelly Knights was turned off by the Hopkins group?

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Originally Posted by Sika 8

Are you sure?
Access to purity through Richards place is all good, but i thought access through to Kelly Knights was turned off by the Hopkins group?

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Different road end, Hopkins access is shut due to a landlocked title issue! Walk up the river.