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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: -46.05458, 168.87975. 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
- 2.5 km one way
- Walking time
- 1 hr 30 min
- Track grade
- Advanced
- Location
- Central Southland area
- 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
Richardson's Track is an unmaintained tramping track at the eastern end of Croydon Bush Scenic Reserve.
This DOC directory entry covers Richardson's Track in Southland, within Central Southland area. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: 2.5 km one way
- Walking time: 1 hr 30 min
- 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.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
The eastern end of Croydon Bush Scenic Reserve, accessed from Croydon Bush Road, is locally known as Grants Bush. The tramping tracks in this area are no longer maintained - caution is advised.
Richardson's Track is reached by going right from Grants picnic area, crossing a stream and following a marked track through to a paddock. Cross the paddock and enter a pine plantation on the northern side. The route goes through the plantation, crosses a stream and goes upstream into the native bush.
It is steep, rough and rocky but not difficult to follow. It eventually ends at East Peak.
Getting there
Croydon Bush Scenic Reserve is located approximately 10 km to the north west of Gore. Grants Bush is accessed from Croydon Bush Road, at the eastern end of this scenic reserve.
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.
