Upper Saxton
Upper Saxton is a 5,136-hectare roar block on the Molesworth Station and Clarence grazing lease, sitting high in the inland Marlborough tops. Elevations run from 1,048 m to 2,033 m with a median of 1,529 m, so the entire block is high-country terrain.
Ninety-three per cent of the block sits above the 1,200 m bushline and 54% is alpine, putting it firmly in the predominantly alpine bracket — true tops country with broad tussock basins, scree, snow grass and exposed ridge systems. The country leans east-facing, with strong east, south-east and north-east aspects catching morning sun.
The permit covers red deer, chamois and wild goat. The high alpine country particularly suits chamois work; reds hold the lower fringes and head-of-catchment basins, and goats range through the rougher rocky country.
Open Upper Saxton on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 15,872 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 1,048–2,033 m
- Median elevation
- 1,529 m
- Middle 50%
- 1,361–1,696 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 93%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 54%
- Dominant aspect
- east-facing
1,048–2,033 m, predominantly alpine, leaning east-facing.
What you can hunt here
This is a roar — the red deer roar peaks from late March into April, and competition for the block is highest then.
Access & getting there
Air access is not permitted on Upper Saxton, but WARO is permitted, so commercial recovery helicopters may be active over the alpine country during the season. Hunters walk in from the legal access points on the Molesworth side.
No DOC huts sit within the block, so this is fly-camp country. Alpine tussock pitches and stream-side flats are your camp options; shelter is limited at this altitude, so pick camp positions carefully. Carry a fly or tent and confirm Molesworth access status before leaving.
Permits & rules
You need a DOC hunting permit to hunt this block. It is classed as a Roar block in the Molesworth Station and Clarence grazing lease permit area, with a hunting status of Restricted.
Commercial wild-animal recovery (WARO) operates over this area — expect helicopter activity and pressured game.
Upper Saxton is a Roar block with Restricted hunt status under the Molesworth Station and Clarence grazing lease permit area. Apply specifically for the roar period through DOC's standard process; rolling permits do not cover this block. Check current dates and access rules before applying.
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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