Arthur's Pass West
Arthur's Pass West is a 20,107 ha public hunting block on the western side of the main divide, sitting inside Arthur's Pass National Park in the Canterbury permit area. Elevations climb from around 620 m on the valley floors to 2,384 m on the tops, with a median of 1,289 m.
With 58% of the ground above the bushline and 31% in true alpine country above 1,500 m, this is predominantly alpine terrain — open tussock tops, scree, head basins and bluffs broken up by beech-clad valleys and shrubland on the lower faces. Slopes lean east, so morning sun lights up the catchments running off the divide.
The species mix is red deer, tahr, chamois and wild pig. The combination of bush margins and serious alpine ground inside a single block makes it a strong option for hunters who want reds in the timber and the chance to glass tops for tahr or chamois on the same trip.
Open Arthur's Pass West on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 64,341 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 620–2,384 m
- Median elevation
- 1,289 m
- Middle 50%
- 980–1,569 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 58%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 31%
- Dominant aspect
- east-facing
620–2,384 m, mostly above the bushline, leaning east-facing.
What you can hunt here
Access & getting there
Both fixed-wing and helicopter air access are permitted on the block, and WARO is allowed — meaning commercial helicopter operators may be working the country alongside recreational parties.
The block is unusually well served by huts for an alpine area. Carrington Hut and Anti Crow Hut are bookable and both have heating, mattresses, non-flush toilets and a tap water supply. Bealey Spur Hut (heating, non-flush toilet, tap water), Crow Hut (heating, mattresses, non-flush toilet, stream water), Barker Hut (non-flush toilet, tap water) and Waimakariri Falls Hut (mattresses, non-flush toilet, stream water) are all non-bookable. The spread of huts across the Waimakariri, Crow and side valleys means most parties can plan a multi-day trip linking huts rather than relying on a single base.
Huts & campsites
- Carrington HutBookable
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, Water supply
Heating, Toilets - non-flush, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, Water supply
- Anti Crow 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, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, Water supply
Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
- Carrington HutBookable
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, Water supply
Heating, Toilets - non-flush, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, Water supply
- Anti Crow 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, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, Water supply
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 to hunt Arthur's Pass West. It's an Ordinary block with a Permitted status, so permits are issued through the standard Canterbury permit system rather than a ballot. Permits are free but must be carried while hunting.
1080 & pesticide status
No current, planned or proposed pesticide operations intersect this block in our data. Always confirm with DOC before taking a dog in.
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