Lauder Basin
Lauder Basin is a 8,747-hectare public hunting block in Otago, within the Central Otago and Remarkables permit area. Elevations run from about 624 m up to 1674 m with a median around 1318 m, putting most of the ground in mostly above-the-bushline tops country.
Roughly 70% of the ground sits above the 1,200 m bushline, so the bulk of the block is open tussock and shrubland with bush only on the lower margins. Slopes lean east-facing, which shapes where sun, snow and feeding animals concentrate through the day.
Recorded game on the block includes red deer, fallow deer, wild goat and wild pig. It is mixed bush and edge country with deer, goats and pigs available rather than alpine game. It is inland Central Otago tussock and schist country rather than the bigger glaciated drainages further west.
Open Lauder Basin on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 29,782 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 624–1,674 m
- Median elevation
- 1,318 m
- Middle 50%
- 1,162–1,432 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 70%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 11%
- Dominant aspect
- east-facing
624–1,674 m, mostly above the bushline, leaning east-facing.
What you can hunt here
Access & getting there
Helicopter access is permitted on this block, which gives charter operators a way to put hunters into upper basins and faces that would otherwise mean a long valley walk. Wild Animal Recovery Operations (WARO) is also permitted, meaning commercial helicopters may be working the same country at times — worth factoring into trip timing.
One DOC hut sits within the block: Lauder Basin Hut in Lauder Basin Conservation Area, with mattresses, a non-flush toilet and stream water. It is not bookable — first-come, first-served.
Huts & campsites
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 RHA block in the Central Otago and The Remarkables 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.
Lauder Basin is a Recreational Hunting Area (RHA) with a Permitted hunt status. A DOC hunting permit is required through the standard online system, but no ballot applies. RHA permits typically come with specific conditions on dogs, party size or season, so read them carefully.
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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