4WD road from Symes Rd to Waikaia Bush Rd: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

This 4WD road takes you along the top of the Old Man Range from the top of Symes Road to Waikaia Bush Road. This 4WD road provides great views.

This DOC directory entry covers 4WD road from Symes Rd to Waikaia Bush Rd in Otago, within Kopuwai Conservation 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: 13 km one way
• Walking time: 4 hr one way
• 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.

Seasonal restrictions

In winter this area is blanketed in snow, extremely cold, and exposed.This 4WD road is not recommended after rain.

Dog access

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

Description

This 4WD road starts from the top of Symes Road and travels south along the range to the top of the Waikaia Bush Road.

The road is in a very exposed and isolated area with sparse low lying vegetation that has adapted to survive the harsh weather conditions. The area often has boggy ground. Rock tors dot the landscape and extensive views can be had in good weather. This journey offers a look at the very unique landscape typical of the Old Man Range.

On a clear day you can see as far as Rakiura/Stewart Island, Aoraki/Mt Cook and Tititea/Mt Aspiring.

Four wheel driving

Starting at the top of Symes Road turn left on this 4WD road. After around 6 km you’ll arrive at Hyde Rock. You have the option of turning right onto Kopuwai 4WD Road here.

Staying left and heading past Kopuwai 4WD Road, after around 7 km you’ll end up at the top of Waikaia Bush Road:

• If you go left you'll head down Waikaia Bush 4WD Road to SH8.

• If you turn right you can go to Potters No. 2 Tramping Track, Huts to Grave.

People often do this 4WD road as a loop – 34 km loop from SH8 up Symes Road along the top of the Old Man Range and back down Waikaia Bush Road to SH8.

Getting there

Starting from Alexandra

• Travel south along SH8 for 14 km to Fruitlands.

• Turn right onto Symes Road – this is a 4WD gravel road.

• Once past Mitchells Cottage, you will drive through an unlocked gate (leave it as you find it). Disregard any out-of-date sign requiring access permission, as Symes Road is a public road. But remember you are driving through private farmland and must keep strictly to the road until you reach the Kopuwai Conservation Area.

• After 12 km you'll reach the top of the Old Man Range.

• At the top turn left onto the 4WD road.

Via Waikaia Bush Road

You can also go up Waikaia Bush Road if you want to do the 4WD road from there:

• At Fruitlands head south on SH8.

• After 12.4 km turn right onto Waikaia Bush Road – this is a 4WD gravel road.

• After 12 km you’ll arrive at the turn off on the right to the 4WD road.

Winter access – roads impassable

Road access to Kopuwai Conservation Area is on dry-weather, largely un-maintained legal roads. In winter the roads become impassable because of snow and ground conditions.

This area is subject to weather extremes at any time of year and roads can become very wet and swampy. Check the weather forecast or contact Tititea/Mount Aspiring National Park Visitor Centre.

Know before you go

Roads are unmetalled, rough, and often wet – make sure you have experience in tough conditions.

• Stay on the formed marked roads and do not widen them. This is a fragile natural environment.

• 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.

Vehicle use, motorbikes, and 4WD are allowed within Kopuwai on the formed roads marked on the map in the Kopuwai Conservation Area brochure (PDF, 1,935K).

Weather

Weather and fog: Temperatures at this altitude can change suddenly even in mid-summer. Take warm and windproof clothing. Fog can roll in quickly – take a map and GPS to help with navigation during the fog.

Avalanches: Be avalanche aware as this area has ‘simple’ avalanche terrain.

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.