Hurunui River Access Points

The South Branch

The South Branch can be accessed by foot from the confluence with the North branch. All other access is through Esk Head Station and requires the permission of the landowner.

Upper Reaches

The Hurunui can be accessed above the gorge from the Lake Sumner Road. To reach this road, turn west at Waikari (signposted), travel through Harwarden and over a small pass.

The Lake Sumner Road comes down right next to the river in a number of places. When the river splits into a north and south branch, the Lake Sumner Road follows the north branch as far as the Sister's Stream.

North Branch Headwaters

There is then unrestricted 4WD road access along Sister's Stream, past Lake Taylor as far as Loch Katrine. But to drive from Loch Katrine to the head of Lake Sumner, you need to get the combination to a gate lock from the DOC Waimakariri Office in Rangiora, phone (03) 313 0820.

Balmoral Bridge

The river can be accessed from SH7 on both sides of the bridge. On the south side, a track leads off the main road on the downstream side and out to the river. Access on the north side is had by taking the first right-hand turn past the bridge, and turning back toward the river (signposted) a few hundred metres up the road.

State Highway 1

The reaches above the mouth are easily accessed where SH1 crosses the river. Tracks lead off the road on both sides of the bridge.

Mouth - South Side

The south side of the river mouth is accessed via the road to Nape Nape. Turn right (signposted) off SH1 a few kilometres north of Greta Valley. Follow this road for about fifteen minutes and then turn hard right onto the road leading down the Blythe River. A map will assist in finding this corner. Follow this road until it reaches the coast. A walk of twenty to ninety minutes is required depending on the position of the river mouth. A fat-wheeled motorbike makes this trip a lot easier.

Mouth - North Side

Take the first road to the right while heading north out of the small town of Domett on SH1 and follow the road signs to the mouth. A well defined track at the road end leads down a steep hill to the north side of the mouth. To reach the riverbed by vehicle, turn right at the end of the road and drive through the camping area and out onto the river.