Hawea to Omarama cross-country?

[Hockenrider]

Hi Guys ,

Has anybody riden lately from Hawea towards Omarama via the Ahuriri - Birchwood over the hills all the way in the last couple of months ?
What we want to know would it be suitable for large adventure bikes ?

Thanks in advance .

[Racing Dave]

My understanding is that the Ahuriri road is closed to motor vehicles only a short distance in from the main road.

However, and amazingly, DoC now control the property on which the track from Omarama over the hills between the Hawkdun and St Bathans Ranges runs, and motor vehicle access is as of right in the summer months. I rode over there just last week, and the track (and fords) are in pretty good condition. Definitely do-able on big bikes.

[topo]

here's a few pics of the road/track from St Batherns to Omarama, over the Hawkdun range. Went through in november, 2 GSPD's, 1 Triumphy and the mighty 640E:Punk: This road shuld be on everyones ride list,just bump the speed up till it "all goes smooth" then it turns fron a good ride to a great one!!!!:yes::scooter::rockon:

[Balrog]

That looks like a great ride, nice pics :2thumbsup

[Transalper]

Fairly sure it's the same place as Topo is talking of, in June 07....
Same river too in pics 3 to 7.
Here. (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=1087377&postcount=110)
or short video of just the ford on a 'i've got water in me today' day here (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=1087993&postcount=119)

[Waihou Thumper]

My understanding is that the Ahuriri road is closed to motor vehicles only a short distance in from the main road.

However, and amazingly, DoC now control the property on which the track from Omarama over the hills between the Hawkdun and St Bathans Ranges runs, and motor vehicle access is as of right in the summer months. I rode over there just last week, and the track (and fords) are in pretty good condition. Definitely do-able on big bikes.


Do you need permission or anything? I am coming down that way in March and want to see the South, looks like a great route.
This is the route north tunnel hill and Ewe range correct? to Omarama?
Just looking at me map here...lol

[oldrider]

PM "Mickyboy" he and some mates have recently done the ride you are looking for!

You don't go through DOC territory.

Well not unless the NZ Gestapo (DOC) have used their unlimited taxpayer money to grab even more land since then. :argh: John.

[oldrider]

Fairly sure it's the same place as Topo is talking of, in June 07....
Same river too in pics 3 to 7.
Here. (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=1087377&postcount=110)
or short video of just the ford on a 'i've got water in me today' day here (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=1087993&postcount=119)

Don't think so, different rout altogether! John.

[cooneyr]

.....However, and amazingly, DoC now control the property on which the track from Omarama over the hills between the Hawkdun and St Bathans Ranges runs, and motor vehicle access is as of right in the summer months. I rode over there just last week, and the track (and fords) are in pretty good condition. Definitely do-able on big bikes.


.....You don't go through DOC territory.

Well not unless the NZ Gestapo (DOC) have used their unlimited taxpayer money to grab even more land since then. :argh: John.

Keen to sort out who is the land owner and what permissions are required. Want to put this route on my web site when I finally get around to the next update which won't be for a few weeks. Got a track log when we went over on the way to the Brass but didn't talk to land owners at the time. If anybody finds out any more I'm really keen to get some details.

Cheers R

P.S. if anybody wants a route file in the mean time let me know.

[Racing Dave]

It's very clear from the DoC signs on the gate that permission is not required in the summertime. The exact dates for access escape me (from October to ???) but that's due to the liklihood of snow in the winter. For those who use this route to the Brass Monkey, Queen's Birthday weekend falls outside the period of as-of-right access, so permission will be necessary then.

[monchopper]

Not sure if you can ride from Ahuriri to Hawea but I don't think so. You can walk it up the Dingleburn on the Hawea side. Can see anything on Topo map or Google Earth.
Theres a track called "Grandview track" on topo maps that goes from Hawea into Morven Hills in the Lindis pass. I'm riding that and the Omarama Saddle ride on Waitangi weekend.
I've been trying to workout who to call for Omarama Saddle but looks like I don't need to bother now!! Its a public road on my Cadastral map (see attached).
Can anyone tell me how this works? See on the attached jpeg the land is Run 201F. How do you find out who owns run 201F?

[Transalper]

Don't think so, different rout altogether! John.Place in my post is the river associated with the Omarama Saddle ride coming out near St Bathans.

[oldrider]

Place in my post is the river associated with the Omarama Saddle ride coming out near St Bathans.

Yep, been there done that but it doesn't take you to Hawea does it?

The track in question on this thread is a different one.

You go in just past the shed on the side of the Lindis Pass road.

The shed has Mount Thomas written on the side of it.

You come out at around about Timaru Creek on the shores of Lake Hawea

My wife and I used to ride horses in and around those roads but haven't actually done it on a bike!

The owner of the Station on the Lindis side is named Russel Emerson I think. (not in our phone book)

As I said on an earlier post "Mickyboy" and a couple of mates rode this route sometime after Easter last year.

PM him and find out how it went and where they went. :ride: Cheers, John.

[Transalper]

You are right Oldrider, it's not the track originally asked about in post #1.
My post sprang up from Racing Dave suggestion the Hawea to Omarama track was not an option but that the Omarama saddle was a good alternative, then Topo posting pics of Omarama Saddle.
In fact from Omarama the saddle does head in a completely different direction away from Hawea as you said. I know you know as if I remember correctly we first heard about the Omarama Saddle from you.
I was aware that people were looking at routes around Omarama to Hawea last year but didn't think anyone actually got around to doing it.
Appoligies for adding to any confusion people might be finding here.

Maps, I reckon this thread needs more maps, with more detail than the one above.

[cooneyr]

......Maps, I reckon this thread needs more maps, with more detail than the one above.

I believe the track between Morven Hills (Lindis end) and Hawea that is in question is the Grandview track. It can sort of been be seen in google maps (http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Hawea+Back+Rd&daddr=-44.627371,169.32219&hl=en&geocode=FVgNV_0d2oEXCg%3B&mra=mi&mrsp=1,0&sz=16&sll=-44.625816,169.315195&sspn=0.007529,0.019312&ie=UTF8&ll=-44.631054,169.472136&spn=0.007528,0.019312&z=16) (you need to move east and west at the same zoom level in this link to find the ends - zoom out and it disappears). On the topomaps it is located a bit further to the south. I highly suspect the legal road (as shown in google maps) and the real road (as shown by topomaps) are quite significantly separated. Turn the google map aerials on and you will see what I mean. I know nothing about obtaining legal access. As previously said, PM micky boy if you want more info.

Cheers R

[monchopper]

I believe the track between Morven Hills (Lindis end) and Hawea that is in question is the Grandview track. It can sort of been be seen in google maps (http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Hawea+Back+Rd&daddr=-44.627371,169.32219&hl=en&geocode=FVgNV_0d2oEXCg%3B&mra=mi&mrsp=1,0&sz=16&sll=-44.625816,169.315195&sspn=0.007529,0.019312&ie=UTF8&ll=-44.631054,169.472136&spn=0.007528,0.019312&z=16) (you need to move east and west at the same zoom level in this link to find the ends - zoom out and it disappears). On the topomaps it is located a bit further to the south. I highly suspect the legal road (as shown in google maps) and the real road (as shown by topomaps) are quite significantly separated. Turn the google map aerials on and you will see what I mean. I know nothing about obtaining legal access. As previously said, PM micky boy if you want more info.

Cheers R

I'm riding the Grandview track at Waitangi weekend.
Need permission from Forest Range and Mt Grand stations
I'll map the actual route on GPS and post after the trip.

[richyrich]

just a note on the omarama saddle track,doc central otago sent me a map
that shows two routes over the omarama saddle that meet up again at the
falls dam end of the road.both are for vehicle access.also there is a bloody good
track up on the hawkdun range that starts at mt.buster near naseby and comes
out on the homehills runs rd.,which is at the sth. end of the omarama saddle
track,but watch out for that unexploded bomb:eek:

[cooneyr]

just a note on the omarama saddle track,doc central otago sent me a map
that shows two routes over the omarama saddle that meet up again at the
falls dam end of the road.both are for vehicle access.also there is a bloody good
track up on the hawkdun range that starts at mt.buster near naseby and comes
out on the homehills runs rd.,which is at the sth. end of the omarama saddle
track,but watch out for that unexploded bomb:eek:

If you got the map in an email can you please forward it to me at advroutes@gmail.com If not I'll get in touch with DOC directly.

Ta R

[Hockenrider]

Hi Guys
Thanks for all your thoughts and imput .
Yes at one stage reading I thought yep you're all heading in the wrong direction where we were wanting to go We did that trip over the Omarama saddle back in Nov. when we did the OMCC back n beyond ride . (19 riders ) . It's also a great trip and yes we also have photo's of some club members going for a swim at the same crossing as shown in the thread . A " Tom "
This Friday I,ve arranged a trip for 8 heading towards Central Otago from Dunedin mainly on gravel then over the Nevis - Garston - down towards the Borland saddle , stay the night some where deep south , Saturday head up towards the Mavoa lakes , catch the Earnslaw early morning ( That was a mission to book ) with bikes , Ride Central Otago area then make way towards Tekapo for night then back home Sunday via the Haka - Dansies Passes then back roads from Kyeburn to Dunedin.
Hopefully all will go well .

Again thanks for your help .
Cheers
Noel