Two Thumb Range
Two Thumb Range covers 14,352 hectares of high alpine country in Te Kahui Kaupeka Conservation Park, running between the Rangitata and Mackenzie basins in inland Canterbury. Elevations range from 836 m at the valley margins to 2,514 m on the highest peaks, with a median of 1,568 m. Ninety-one per cent of the block sits above the 1,200 m bushline and 60% is alpine — this is predominantly alpine country, with very little forest cover.
The block leans west-facing, with significant west and north-west aspects forming long, exposed faces that catch afternoon sun. Snow tussock, scree, rock and bluff country dominate, with deeply cut side creeks dropping off the main ridgeline.
Five species are listed: red deer, fallow deer, tahr, chamois and wallaby. The species spread reflects the range from the lower valley margins where wallaby and fallow occur, up to true alpine habitat for tahr and chamois.
Open Two Thumb Range on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 47,123 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 836–2,514 m
- Median elevation
- 1,568 m
- Middle 50%
- 1,394–1,771 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 91%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 60%
- Dominant aspect
- west-facing
836–2,514 m, predominantly alpine, leaning west-facing.
What you can hunt here
Access & getting there
Helicopter access is permitted, which makes a real difference on a block this high and exposed. Wild Animal Recovery Operations (WARO) are also permitted, so commercial helicopter activity can be expected.
One DOC hut sits within the block — Camp Stream Hut in Te Kahui Kaupeka Conservation Park, with heating, mattresses, non-flush toilets and stream water. It is not bookable. Beyond that single hut, hunters will need to fly-camp or work in from the surrounding access points.
Huts & campsites
Heating, 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 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. Two Thumb Range is classified Ordinary with Permitted hunt status, so no ballot applies — permits can be drawn through DOC's online 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.
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