Thomas River Track: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

From the Water Intake Road to Castle Hill Village

This DOC directory entry covers Thomas River Track in Canterbury, within Craigieburn Forest 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: 2 km one way
• Walking time: 30 min
• DOC grade: Intermediate

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

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

Description

From the carpark, follow the gravel road (Water Intake Road) for 850 m, keeping right at the road fork. The road slowly descends to the Thomas River and the track starts in the small clearing beside the river.

Cross the river if it is safe to do so. However, this river can rise extremely rapidly during rainfall, not to attempt to cross it if the river is running high or discoloured.

The track immediately turns left, following the forested lower river terrace downstream. The track crosses the St Andrews College Lodge Rd after 550 m. The track then continues along the higher river terrace for 500 m, then meeting the Leith Hill Loop track junction.

From here, descend the steep zig zag track to the river, crossing it, then climb up another step zig zag on the other side that leads into Castle Hill Village.

The track ends at Trelissick Loop Rd. Turn left and walk 220 m to Castle Hill Drive, turn left again and walk 300 m to return to the carpark.

Getting there

You can start this track from Water Intake Road, reached by walking from Thomas Bush car park. The carpark is located about 200 m beyond the end of the Castle Hill village (houses) on Castle Hill Drive.

It can also be started from Trelissick Loop Rd.

Know before you go

Be careful when crossing unbridged streams/rivers

There are unbridged crossings of Thomas River on this track. The river can rise fast during wet weather. Do not cross if the river is running high or is discoloured.

A bridge crossing is available on the St Andrews College road; it can be accessed half way along the Thomas River track. From here it is 300 m back to the Thomas Bush carpark.

Be ready for alpine weather

This is an alpine area and people should be prepared for extremes of weather. Always check the forecast before you go. Weather forecasts for Mt Cheeseman and Canterbury High Country

Carry warm layers, a waterproof raincoat and sun protection. Find packing lists here.

Expect wasps, especially in summer and early autumn

Wasp populations reach high numbers from January to March – wear light coloured clothing and carry antihistamine cream/tablets as a precaution.

Shared use area

This track is used by walkers and mountain bikers – be respectful of other users. Mountain bikers should go slow and be ready to encounter walkers.

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 published in DOC's official route gallery with an explicit reuse licence. Its original caption and credit are retained; it does not establish current track conditions.