Rangitata River Access Points

Rangitata Huts: North Side

A settlement of fishing huts is 19 km from Main Road Bridge. From the huts, there is access to the river and along a shingle beach to the lagoon and the mouth.

From the north, turn off SH1 2km south of Hinds township, into the Hinds-Rangitata Mouth Road.

From the south, turn off SH1 immediately north of Rangitata Bridge and travel along the Ealing-Coldtream Road.

Rangitata Huts: South Side

A settlement of fishing huts and camping grounds is 22 km from Main Road Bridge. From the huts, there is access the river, and along the shingle beach to the lagoon and the mouth.

From the north, turn off SH1 at Rangitata Store alng Edgar Road and follow the sign posts.

From the south, turn off SH1 at Temuka township and follow the signposts.

Irrigation Waterrace

10.5 km from SH1
8.5 km from the mouth

From the Ealing-Coldstream Road, enter the date on the west side of the water race and follow the race. After 0.3 km the track dedscends the terrace and a further 0.7 km brings you to the river fairway.

Old Main South Road

2.3 km from SH1
16km from the mouth

From the Ealing-Coldstream Road, turn into Old Main South Road and follow it 0.7 km to its end at the river bed.

Main Road Bridge (SH1 North Side)

Parking is not permitted on the bridge or approaches. However, a shingle track on the downstream side of the northern approach leads to good parking. There is walking access both upstream and downstream to the river.

Shepherds Bush Road

16.5 km from Arundel Bridge

From Arundel Bridge drive along SH72 for 6 km to Five Crossroads Corner. Take the Ealing Montalto Rd. A further 10.5 km brings you to Shephers Bush Rd. Continue along this road towards the river, past the driveway to Taradale homestead onto a rough grass track, over the Rangitata Diversion Race (RDR) race bridges and to the tracks end which is 2 km from the junction, A steep walking track, suitable for only the very fit, leads down to the river.

Klondyke Terrace Rd

20.5 km from Arundel Bridge.

Follow SH72 from Arundel Bridge for another 6 km, then turning off at the Five Crossroads corner along the Ealing Montalto Road. Travel another 14.5 km until you get to the Klondyke Terrace Road. From here to the Rangitata Diversion Race (RDR) is a public road. Beyond the RDR bridge, the 4 km of road is owned and maintained by RDR Management Ltd who allow vehicle access at your own risk. The road ends at the RDR intake but the owners of Klondyke Station and Tenehaum Station permit foot access only to allow anglers to fish the gorge area. Please observe all signs and the usual rules - guns, dogs and camping are not permitted. Please leave the gates shut.

Badham Road (Wades Crossing)

10 km from Main Road Bridge.
12 km from the mouth.

At the end of Rangitata Island Rd, turn into Badham Road. The road ends at the river. From the river, there is 4WD access through berm willows both upstream and downstream.

Dip Road

7 km from Main Road Bridge
15 km from the mouth

From Rangitata Island Rd, follow the fenceline on the left past a derelict bridge for 1 km to the berm edge through four gates. From the last gate, there is 4WD access both upstream and downstream.

Brodies Road

3.5 km from Main Road Bridge
18 km from the mouth

From Rangitata Island Rd, follow the fenceline on the right for 1 km to the berm edge through three gates. From the last gate, there is 4WD access both upstream and downstream.

Old Main South Road

2.5 km from Main Road Bridge
19.5 km from the mouth

From Rangitata Island Rd, at the red shed follow the fenceline on the right for 1 km to the berm edge and willow trees, through two gates.

Main Road Bridge (SH1 South Side)

22 km from the mouth

At Rangitata Island Rd, turn towards the railway and enter the gate on the right. Drive 1 km parallele to SH1 to the edge of the bermland.

Lewis Road

6 km from SH1
6.5 km from SH72

From the Arundel-Rangitata Road, follow the fenceline on the right for half a kilometre (through three gates) to the parking area and sign. From the sign, a walk of about 0.4 km across private land takes you to the river.

Arundel Bridge

10 km from SH1

The best parking is at Arundel Bridge Reserve on the southern approach to the bridge. There is walking access both upstream and donwstream.

Ferry Road

3.5km from Arundel Bridge

Opposite Arundel Settlement, continue along Ferry Rd to the river's edge.

Just before the river, Ferry Rd branches to the left through a gate, up the terrace to another gate and continues to Peel Forest

Peel Forest Camping Ground

11 km from Arundel Bridge

At the entrance to the camping ground, a track branches to the right. Continue for 0.5 km over a cattle stop to a public reserve area. From this point, there is walking access both upstream and downstream.

Kowhais

11.5km from Arundel Bridge

Just past the camping ground, a group of kowhai trees mark a gat. From the gate it is about 100 metres to the river.

Lynn Creek (Lynn Stream)

15.5 km from Arundel Bridge

Continue along Rangitata Gorge Road to Lynn Creek bridge. Park on the east side. Walk down the true right bank about 400 metres to the Rangitata.

Fisherman's Lane

40 km from Arundel Bridge

Fishermans Lane is about 1.5 km from Stew Point homestead and on the boundary with Rata Peaks station. Park in the lane and walk 11 metres to the river.

Turnagain Point

44.5 km from Arundel Bridge

The river is close to the road at this point.