Upper Godley
Upper Godley is a 17,595 ha public hunting block in Canterbury, sitting at the head of the Godley valley inside Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park country. Elevations climb from 872 m to 2,845 m with a median of 1,584 m, so the average ground is already above the 1,500 m alpine line.
With 74% of the block above the 1,200 m bushline and 55% above the 1,500 m alpine line, this is predominantly alpine country — long tussock spurs, shingle slips, glacial moraines and rock faces. Slopes lean predominantly south, so faces stay cooler longer through the day and snow patches can hang on well into the warmer months.
The species list reflects that high-altitude character: red deer, tahr and chamois. Reds are found in the lower scrub and bush remnants, while tahr and chamois dominate the upper faces and bluffs — the kind of country these animals were named for.
Open Upper Godley on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 57,200 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 872–2,845 m
- Median elevation
- 1,584 m
- Middle 50%
- 1,176–1,929 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 74%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 55%
- Dominant aspect
- south-facing
872–2,845 m, predominantly alpine, leaning south-facing.
What you can hunt here
Access & getting there
Both fixed-wing and helicopter air access are permitted, which is the practical way into much of the upper Godley country given the altitude and the size of the block. WARO is also active here, so commercial recovery helicopters may be operating across the same faces — worth being aware of when planning hunts.
Two huts serve the block, both inside Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park: Godley Hut (mattresses, non-flush toilet, stream water) and Eade Memorial Hut (mattresses, lighting, non-flush toilet, stream water). Neither is bookable, so they run first-come first-served and hunters should carry a tent for backup, especially during busy periods or alpine weather.
Huts & campsites
Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Mattresses, Lighting, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
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 Upper Godley. The block is an Ordinary block with a Permitted status, so it is part of the standard Canterbury permit system rather than a ballot block. Permits are free and 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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