Hanmer Forest
Hanmer Forest Park covers 13,758 hectares of bush and foothill country in north Canterbury, behind the Hanmer Springs basin. Elevations range from 350 m up to 1,872 m with a median of 966 m. Twenty-eight per cent of the block sits above the 1,200 m bushline and only 8% is alpine, so this is predominantly bush country with a fringe of tops on the highest ridges — a mix of bush and tops, weighted to the bush.
The block leans south-east-facing, with significant south-east, south and east aspects. Shaded gullies and the cool sidles tend to hold deer through the heat of the day.
Three species are listed: red deer, chamois and wild pig. Country like this is classic stalking ground in the timbered faces and the open clearings, with chamois holding on the higher tops.
Open Hanmer Forest on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 43,401 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 350–1,872 m
- Median elevation
- 966 m
- Middle 50%
- 767–1,233 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 28%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 8%
- Dominant aspect
- south-east-facing
350–1,872 m, a mix of bush and tops, leaning south-east-facing.
What you can hunt here
Access & getting there
Helicopter access is permitted and Wild Animal Recovery Operations (WARO) are also permitted, so commercial activity can occur in the back country.
Two DOC structures sit within the park, both in Hanmer Forest Park and neither bookable. Tutu Hut has heating, non-flush toilets and stream water but no mattresses listed. Stony Stream Bivvy is a smaller shelter with non-flush toilets and stream water only. Both serve as a fly-camp base rather than a comfort hut, so plan accordingly.
Huts & campsites
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
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 the Canterbury permit area. Hanmer Forest is classified Ordinary with Permitted hunt status, sitting outside the ballot system — apply through DOC's online permit system before each trip.
1080 & pesticide status
- Pesticide (1080 or similar) has been laid in or near this block — check current dog and carcass restrictions before you hunt.
Get roar & 1080 alerts for the areas you hunt
We'll email you when pesticide operations, ballot dates or access conditions change for Canterbury.
Sign up →