Rakaia River Access Points

Manuka Point

The top of the Double Hill Run Road just past the turn-off to Glenfalloch Station.

Glenariffe

Take the gate on the downstream side of the Glenariffe Hatchery gate and out to the river.

Black Hill

A signposted camping area off Double Hill Run Road through which access is possible.

Kowhai Flat

A signposted camping area off Double Hill Run Road through which access is possible.

Whisky Stream

This is the first access track to the river above the gorge on the south side off Double Hill Run Road. The easiest way to find it is by looking out for the big Acheron slip which is on the far side of the river, opposite the track.

Gorge Bridge - South Side

Take the first track to the left after crossing The Gorge bridge.

Lowes Cutting

Take the shingle track to the right which leaves the Rakaia-Methven road on a sharp right-hand bend, about 26.5km from Rakaia.

Barrhill

Turn left down Oak Avenue in the Barrhill township, about 17km along Rakaia-Methven Road from Rakaia. Access to the river is via a very steep foot track.

Somerton Road

Continuation of Somerton Road, about 7km from along Rakaia-Methven Road from Rakaia.

McKays Road

Continuation of McKays Road, about 5km along Rakaia-Methven Road from Rakaia.

Wolseley Road

Continuation of Wolseley Road, about 3.5km along Rakaia-Methven Road from Rakaia.

Main Road Bridge

This road is a continuation of the Old Main South Road, about 1km east of Rakaia. This is a popular area for launching jet boats (4WD only) and for foot angler access.

Golf Course

This track runs along the eastern boundary of the golf course on Acton Road, about 5.6km from Rakaia.

Maginisses

This track is marked Maginisses on the gate, about 8.8km down Acton Road from Rakaia.

Griggs Road

Access is via an unformed shingle road directly opposite Griggs Road, about 11km from Rakaia. There are two gates here; take the one nearest Rakaia Township. The track ends inside the paddock, and foot access only is available to the riverbed.

Dobbins Ford

This access road runs off Acton Road approximately 16.2km from Rakaia.

Deer Fence Track

This runs off the road to the huts, right on a 90 degree bend. This track is suitable for 4WD vehicles only.

River Mouth - South Side

Turn left onto the sealed road at the end of Acton Road, down the terrace, around the 90 degree right-hand bend, down to the road end and over the small stop-bank to the hut settlement. The quickest way to reach the river or mouth is to drive around the road on top of the stop-bank which surrounds the huts.

Lake Coleridge Power Station

Drive through the Lake Coleridge village and turn left in front of the power station, cross the bridge over the tailrace, turn left at the first opportunity and head out to the river.

Gorge Bridge - North Side

A track leads out to the river a short distance below the gorge bridge. This is a popular place for both fishing and launching boats (4WD only).

Camping Gully

This leads out to the riverbed a short distance below the gorge bridge. This is a private road but access is kindly provided by the landowner.

Sleemans Road

Turn hard left at the end of Rakaia Terrace Road, about 28.7km from Rakaia. The shingle road turns into a grass track which goes down two terraces and out to the riverbed.

Steeles Road

Continuation of Steeles Road, about 22.3km up Rakaia Terrace Road from Rakaia.

Te Pirita Road

Formed shingle road about 14km up Rakaia Terrace Road from Rakaia.

Darrochs Road

Formed shingle road signposted about 8.7km up Rakaia Terrace Road from Rakaia.

Gun Club

This is an extension of (Burns Road) and leads off to the left at the base of a cutting about 6.2km up Rakaia Terrace Road from Rakaia, veers past the Mead Gun Club and then out to the river.

Breadings Road

Take the last right-hand turn before the SH1 bridge onto Rakaia Terrace Road. A few kilometres upstream you will reach the Rakaia Road / Breadings Road corner. Park at the road side and walk through the gate and a short distance across the paddock to the riverbed.

SH1

This leads out of the picnic area on the north side of the SH1 bridge. This track is often rough and only suited to off-road vehicles.

Rakaia Irrigation

This runs off North Rakaia Road a short distance below SH1. Turn left at the end of the track and follow it down and out to the river, crossing two fords on the way. The fords are maintained to a standard suitable for wading, 4WD vehicles and motorbikes, as part of an irrigation scheme consent.

Mouth - North Side

The North Rakaia Huts are reached by following the AA signs while traveling south out of Southbridge. Good boat launching is available at the North Rakaia Huts boat ramp (a $2 fee is payable into the honesty box) although access down the lagoon to the main river can be influenced by river and tide conditions. Land access to the river mouth is by following a track to the left of the boat ramp, around the head of the lagoon and back down to the mouth. Another option is to turn left at the No Exit sign just before the huts, drive to the road end and out onto the beach. The best way to travel along the shingle spit and down to the mouth is on an ATV.