Cat Creek
Cat Creek is a 5,077-hectare roar block on the Molesworth Station and Clarence grazing lease, sitting in the higher inland Marlborough country. Elevations run from 1,019 m to 2,016 m with a median of 1,425 m, so the entire block sits well above 1,000 m — proper high-country terrain.
Eighty-three per cent of the block sits above the 1,200 m bushline and 39% is alpine, putting it just shy of predominantly alpine country. Expect broad tussock basins, snow grass, scree and exposed ridge systems. The block leans north-facing, with strong north, north-west and north-east aspects — sun-catching faces that warm fast and hold animals on the sun side.
The permit covers red deer and chamois. The high open country particularly suits chamois work and long-glass spotting; reds hold the lower bush-edge bands and the head-of-catchment gullies.
Open Cat Creek on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 15,878 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 1,019–2,016 m
- Median elevation
- 1,425 m
- Middle 50%
- 1,259–1,595 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 83%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 39%
- Dominant aspect
- north-facing
1,019–2,016 m, mostly above the bushline, leaning north-facing.
What you can hunt here
This is a roar — the red deer roar peaks from late March into April, and competition for the block is highest then.
Access & getting there
Air access is not permitted on Cat Creek, and WARO is not permitted either, so the country sees no helicopter activity during the season. Hunters walk in from the legal access points on the Molesworth system.
No DOC huts sit within the block, so this is a fly-camping job — plan for tussock camps and carry a fly or tent. Check the latest Molesworth access status before leaving, as the station road network runs to seasonal rules.
Permits & rules
You need a DOC hunting permit to hunt this block. It is classed as a Roar block in the Molesworth Station and Clarence grazing lease permit area, with a hunting status of Restricted.
Cat Creek is a Roar block with Restricted hunt status under the Molesworth Station and Clarence grazing lease permit area. Apply specifically for the roar period through DOC's standard process — rolling permits do not cover this block. Check current dates and access rules before applying.
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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