Sinclair Range
The Sinclair Range is a large 29,318 hectare Canterbury block of high alpine country. Elevations run from 598 m at the lower edges to 2,363 m on the highest peaks, with a median elevation of 1,571 m. 86% of the block sits above the bushline and 58% is true alpine country above 1,500 m — this is a predominantly alpine block, with most of the country firmly in tussock, rock and snow-tussock terrain.
The range is dominated by east-facing slopes, with strong south-east and south aspects also represented. With most of the country sitting in the alpine zone, hunters spend their days glassing from spurs and basins rather than working bush faces. Shaded south-east sidles hold animals through the warmer parts of the day, while east-facing tops warm up first and are worth a look at first light.
Game on the permit includes red deer, fallow deer, tahr, chamois, wild pig and wallaby. The species mix and the sheer size of the block make this a strong destination for hunters chasing alpine animals and willing to commit time to a multi-day trip.
Open Sinclair Range on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 96,024 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 598–2,363 m
- Median elevation
- 1,571 m
- Middle 50%
- 1,341–1,795 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 86%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 58%
- Dominant aspect
- east-facing
598–2,363 m, predominantly alpine, leaning east-facing.
What you can hunt here
Access & getting there
The block has a solid hut network within Te Kahui Kaupeka Conservation Park. South Opuha Hut, Royal Hut and Stone Hut all provide heating, mattresses, non-flush toilets and stream or tap water (untreated, boil before use). Crooked Spur Hut has heating, mattresses and a non-flush toilet but no listed water supply — plan accordingly. None of the huts are bookable, so they are first-in, first-served.
The block is open to air access and is flagged for WARO. With so much of the country sitting above 1,500 m and a wide spread of high tops, helicopter operations are a real factor — check current activity before committing to a long sidle across exposed faces or a day-long glassing session on the open country.
Huts & campsites
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, Water supply
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, 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 Sinclair Range. The block sits under the Canterbury permit area as an Ordinary block with hunting permitted year-round, so no ballot or seasonal restriction applies.
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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