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Key facts
- Distance
- 1.5 km one way
- Walking time
- 1 hr one way
- Track grade
- Intermediate
- Location
- Mount Thomas Forest Conservation Area
- Dog access
- Dogs on a leash only. 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
An extension to the Ashley Gorge Loop Track that gains 200 m in altitude to reach a giant totara tree, surrounded by large old matai, fuchsia and broadleaf trees.
This DOC directory entry covers Totaranui Track in Canterbury, within Mount Thomas Forest 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: 1.5 km one way
- Walking time: 1 hr one way
- 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 on a leash only. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
The Totaranui Track is an unformed, relatively steep, but well-marked, link between the easier Ashley Gorge Loop Track and the Waterfall Track. Combining all three makes for a 2 1/2-hour loop. It is best walked in a clockwise direction as it can be slippery and muddy after rain.
It has some notable totara and matai trees. On the climb up, look out for a large burl on a broadleaf tree.
Beware of steep bank drop offs near some track sections.
The Ashley Gorge Tracks have been built and are maintained by the voluntary community Ashley Gorge Tracks Group in partnership with DOC.
Getting there
This track starts from the Ashley Gorge Holiday Park and Reserve (9 km from Oxford), which have toilet and picnic facilities.
Follow the road down to the public car park and picnic area at Williams Flat. From the car park, follow the "Walks" signs which bring you across the Ashley River bridge. The walk starts on the other side of the river.
Know before you go
Wasp populations reach high numbers from January to March – wear light-coloured clothing and carry antihistamine cream/tablets as a precaution.
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.
