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Location & access
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route. Check the official route directions before travel.
Official location informationLocation source
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route.
Reference point: -43.40646, 171.64138. WGS84 coordinates retained at the official service's returned precision; decimal resolution is not survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
DOC Maps walking and tramping reference point (WGS84), exact official-page GUID / Department of Conservation. Checked 2026-10-12.
Key facts
- Distance
- 8 km one way
- Walking time
- Not specified in the checked DOC directory
- Track grade
- Advanced; Expert
- Location
- Korowai/Torlesse Tussocklands Park
- Dog access
- No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Checked against official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules and conditions are set by Department of Conservation — confirm with them before you go.
Route overview
Access to Dry Acheron Stream and the two covenant areas is provided courtesy of the Dry Acheron and Big Ben station owners.
This DOC directory entry covers Dry Acheron Track in Canterbury, within Korowai/Torlesse Tussocklands Park. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: 8 km one way
- Walking time: Not specified in the checked DOC directory
- DOC grade: Advanced; Expert
Access and alerts
Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
Access to Dry Acheron Stream and the two covenant areas is provided courtesy of the Dry Acheron and Big Ben station owners.
Track times
Car park to Clay Gully junction - 1 hr
Clay Gully junction to Clay Valley covenant - 10 min
Clay Gully junction to Big Ben Route junction - 1 hr
Big Ben Route junction to Conical Knoll covenant - 30 min
Big Ben Route to Big Ben (Korowai/Torlesse Tussocklands Park) - 2 hr
Getting there
The track entrance is off Lake Coleridge Road, about an hour drive southwest from Christchurch.
Know before you go
Be respectful when crossing private farm land:
stay on the marked route and keep within the boundary of covenant areas at all times
cross fences only at stiles
do not disturb stock
leave gates as you find them (open or shut)
Sources and reuse
Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.
The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.
