Split access system gives Otago trampers free rein above the treeline

Twelve years ago, one of our regional field advisors (RFA) attended a community meeting with Wenita Forest to discuss access to its Otago forests. The company owns land that is adjacent to popular tramping routes across Dunedin City Council Water Catchment land and Department of Conservation land.

Wenita was planning to introduce a permit system for members of the public who wanted access to its property.  Our RFA and others at the meeting advocated that trampers should not need a permit to walk above the treeline, on land where there are no commercial forests. The first person to propose this elegant solution was David Barnes, who subsequently also became an RFA.

Wenita agreed to this, and, as you can see from this photo of the junction of Powder Ridge Track and Long Ridge Track, the split access system still exists today.

Photo credit: Helen Emerson Otago Tramping and Mountaineering Club (OTMC).

The access negotiated with Wenita Forest allows for popular round trips to Pulpit Rock and Powder Ridge Track. The track to Pulpit Rock is managed by the Green Hut Track Group, which won an Outdoor Access Champion Award in 2018.

Photo credit: Helen Emerson Otago Tramping and Mountaineering Club (OTMC).