Lower Dart
Lower Dart is a 7,859-hectare public hunting block in Otago, within the Mount Aspiring National Park east-of-divide permit area. Elevations run from about 400 m up to 2813 m with a median around 1318 m, putting most of the ground in predominantly alpine country.
Around 41% of the country sits above the 1,500 m alpine line, so expect snow tussock, rock and exposed faces through the upper guts. Slopes lean west-facing, which shapes where sun, snow and feeding animals concentrate through the day.
Recorded game on the block includes red deer, white-tail, tahr, chamois and wild goat. That gives hunters three quarry species — bush-edge and lower faces for reds, the higher tops and rocky basins for tahr and chamois. It sits on the east-of-divide side of the park, classic alpine head-water country with steep bush bottoms and high glacier-cut basins.
Open Lower Dart on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 26,502 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 400–2,813 m
- Median elevation
- 1,318 m
- Middle 50%
- 796–1,774 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 56%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 41%
- Dominant aspect
- west-facing
400–2,813 m, predominantly alpine, leaning west-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.
Two DOC huts sit within the block: Esquilant Bivvy Hut and Daleys Flat Hut. Esquilant Bivvy Hut in Mount Aspiring National Park provides mattresses. Daleys Flat Hut in Mount Aspiring National Park provides heating, mattresses, a non-flush toilet and untreated tap water (boil before use). None of the huts on the block are bookable — they are first-come, first-served, so carry a fly or tent as backup. There is also a DOC campsite on the block (Daleys Flat Campsite), useful for vehicle-based parties working the lower country.
Huts & campsites
Mattresses
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, Water supply
Mattresses
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, Water supply
Campsites: Daleys Flat Campsite.
Permits & rules
You need a DOC hunting permit to hunt this block. It is classed as a Ordinary block in the Mount Aspiring National Park east of divide 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 Lower Dart. The block is an Ordinary block with a Permitted hunt status, so permits are issued through the standard online 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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