Broken River
Broken River is a 10,042 hectare Canterbury block of mixed bush and tops country. Elevations span from 374 m on the lower flats up to 1,985 m on the highest tops, with a median around 1,043 m. Roughly a third of the block (32%) sits above the bushline, and 13% climbs into true alpine country above 1,500 m, so this is a genuine mix of bush and tops.
The block is shaped by a strong south-east aspect, with the eastern, southern and northern faces also well represented. That spread of slopes gives hunters good options for working out of the wind and finding shaded faces where deer and chamois hold during the day.
The permit covers red deer, chamois and wild pig. With a base hut, a wide elevation range and a workable footprint, it suits hunters wanting a multi-day trip combining bush stalking with time on the tops.
Open Broken River on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 32,407 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 374–1,985 m
- Median elevation
- 1,043 m
- Middle 50%
- 806–1,296 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 32%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 13%
- Dominant aspect
- south-east-facing
374–1,985 m, a mix of bush and tops, leaning south-east-facing.
What you can hunt here
Access & getting there
Broken River Hut sits within the Korowai/Torlesse Tussocklands Park inside the block, and provides heating, mattresses, non-flush toilets and stream water — a useful basecamp for working the surrounding faces. The hut is not bookable, so it is first-in, first-served.
The block is open to air access and is flagged for WARO, so be aware that helicopter operations may be working the same country, particularly across the open tops and tussock basins. Plan around that and stay conscious of helicopter movements when you are on a face that another party might be hunting from the air.
Huts & campsites
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, 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 for Broken River, which sits under the Canterbury permit area as an Ordinary block with hunting permitted year-round. There is no ballot or seasonal restriction to work around.
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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