Johnstones Creek 4WD Track: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

The 4WD track connects Home Hills Runs Road with Tailings Hut.

This DOC directory entry covers Johnstones Creek 4WD Track in Otago, within Oteake Conservation 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: 34 km one way
• Walking time: Not specified in the checked DOC directory
• DOC grade: Advanced

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.

• Possum control work in Oteake Conservation Park; First published on 6 June 2025. Last reviewed on 29 June 2026.

Seasonal restrictions

4WD tracks are rough, exposed and covered in snow in winter – make sure you have experience in tough conditions. They may be impassable at any time of year.

Dog access

Dogs allowed. Keep dog under control at all times. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

This track is recommended for experienced 4WD drivers only. It is steep with several river crossings.

From Home Hills Runs Road (720 m) the narrow, rough track climbs steeply onto the Hawkdun Range (1,620 m). The track then follows the crest of the range before reaching Wire Yards Hut. Ida Railway Hut is a further 3.5 km on and the turn-off to Chimney Creek Hut is another 6 km.

The track then descends steeply into Boundary Creek, climbs again then drops into Guffies Creek before reaching the Mount Buster and Hut Creek Track junction at Tailings Hut.

Getting there

There are several access routes on both the Otago and Canterbury sides of the park, the mains one being Hawkdun Runs Road, Home Hills Runs Road and Mount Buster Road in the Maniototo, and Broken Hut Road from the Waitaki Valley.

The vehicle bridge on Hawkdun Runs Road is currently closed and cannot be used. The vehicle ford is recommended for experienced 4WD users only.

Much of the public access into the park is along easements crossing private land. Respect this by driving carefully, keeping to tracks and roads, and leaving gates as you find them.

4WD access is limited to the formed tracks described on this website.

Know before you go

Know your limits and be ready for weather damage

The 4WD roads in the conservation park are often damaged by weather events and repairs are ongoing. Be prepared to turn around if conditions are unsuitable for your vehicle or too challenging for your off-road driving skills.

Do not go off the track or attempt routes you are unsure about. It may be very difficult to reverse or pass other traffic. Experience in rough conditions on steep terrain is essential. You should be self-reliant and have recovery equipment appropriate for the conditions and terrain.

Care for this fragile environment

Stay on the formed marked roads and do not widen them.

Travel in groups. If winching is necessary, use another vehicle rather than a landscape feature to avoid damaging the landscape.

Follow the 4WD care code. This helps the long-term sustainability of the activity and the environment.

Four wheel drive guidelines

Shared use tracks

Many of the tracks in Oteake Conservation Park are shared use. You may encounter walkers, mountain bikers and people riding horses, as well as people on quad bikes, trail bikes or in 4WDs. Take care and respect other track users.

Be careful of rivers

If you plan to cross unbridged rivers, know how to cross safely and be prepared for if you cannot cross. Check fords before entry.

Do not cross if the river is flooded, you cannot find safe entry and exit points or are unsure it’s safe. Turn back or wait for the river to drop. If in doubt, stay out.

Be aware of weather conditions in the catchment headwaters.

How to cross rivers safely (for people on foot)

No fires

Fires are not allowed anywhere in Oteake Conservation Park.

Check the weather forecast

NIWA Weather: Ida Railway Hut

Avalanches

Oteake Conservation Park has avalanche terrain.

Be avalanche alert in Wakatipu, Wānaka and Central Otago

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.