Arthur's Pass East
Arthur's Pass East is a sprawling 67,057 ha public hunting block on the eastern side of Arthur's Pass National Park, in Canterbury. Elevations span 526 m to 2,032 m with a median around 1,149 m, so the country covers everything from beech-clad valley floors up through the bushline and onto the tops.
About 45% of the block sits above the 1,200 m bushline and 14% above the 1,500 m alpine line, giving a strong mix of bush and tops. Slopes lean predominantly west, which shapes shade patterns and wind exposure on glassing faces. The sheer size of the area means hunters can pick valleys, sidles or tops country to suit conditions.
The species list is broad: red deer, tahr, chamois and wild pig. Few Canterbury blocks combine reds at lower elevations with tahr and chamois on the tops in the same trip, which is what makes this country a draw for hunters chasing variety.
Open Arthur's Pass East on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 214,070 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 526–2,032 m
- Median elevation
- 1,149 m
- Middle 50%
- 885–1,386 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 45%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 14%
- Dominant aspect
- west-facing
526–2,032 m, mostly above the bushline, leaning west-facing.
What you can hunt here
Access & getting there
Both fixed-wing and helicopter air access are permitted, opening up landing options deep in the back valleys where ground walking would otherwise take days. WARO is also active across the block, so commercial recovery helicopters may be working the same country — worth factoring into planning and route choice.
The hut network is one of the densest in the South Island for a single hunting block. Bookable huts include Hawdon Hut, Edwards Hut and Casey Hut, all with heating, mattresses, non-flush toilets and tap water (boil before use). Non-bookable huts and bivvies include Poulter Hut, Bull Creek Hut, Trust/Poulter Hut, Mingha Bivvy, Minchin Bivvy, Sudden Valley Bivvy, Candlesticks Bivvy, East Hawdon Bivvy, Poulter Bivvy, Worsley Bivvy, Ranger Bivvy and Hawdon Shelter Campsite at the road end. Klondyke Corner Campsite is also on the block.
Huts & campsites
Toilets - non-flush
Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Heating, Toilets - non-flush, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, Water supply
Heating, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
- Hawdon HutBookable
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, Water supply
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Heating, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Heating, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
- Edwards HutBookable
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, Water supply
- Casey HutBookable
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, Water supply
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Toilets - non-flush
Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Heating, Toilets - non-flush, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, Water supply
Heating, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
- Hawdon HutBookable
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, Water supply
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Heating, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Campsites: Hawdon Shelter Campsite, Klondyke Corner Campsite.
Permits & rules
You need a DOC hunting permit to hunt this block. It is classed as a Ordinary block in the Canterbury permit area, with a hunting status of Permitted.
Commercial wild-animal recovery (WARO) operates over this area — expect helicopter activity and pressured game.
This block sits within a DOC air-access zone — fly-in hunting and helicopter drop-offs may be permitted.
A DOC hunting permit is required for Arthur's Pass East. The block is an Ordinary block with a Permitted status, so it sits in the standard Canterbury permit system rather than a ballot or roar block. Permits are free and must be carried while hunting.
1080 & pesticide status
- Pesticide (1080 or similar) has been laid in or near this block — check current dog and carcass restrictions before you hunt.
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