Water Intake Track: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

This track links Water Intake Road to Hogs Back Track (Easy Up)

This DOC directory entry covers Water Intake 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: 500 m one way
• Walking time: 10 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

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

Description

Please note that this track is not well marked, and Water Intake Road does not exist on many maps.

From Thomas Bush carpark, follow the gravel road (Water Intake Road) for 1 km, keeping right at the road fork. The road ends at the Thomas River (Water Intake).

There is presently no sign or markers marking the Water Intake walking track. There is a small sign on a tree indicating the “Marbar Track”. Follow this track, taking the slightly uphill right branch 80 m from its start.

The track slowly climbs for a further 300 m until it meets the Hogs Back Easy Up Track. Turning right, it is 1.2 km (20 min) back to the Thomas Bush carpark. Turning left it is 1.6 km (25 min) to the Hogs Back track junction.

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 the Hogs Back Easy Up Track.

Know before you go

This track is not marked/signposted

There is no DOC signage or markings through this track. The track also takes a slightly shorter route than is shown on the current topographic map. Water Intake Road (where the track starts) also does not exist on many maps.

For a marked track, we recommend a walk on Thomas River Track instead.

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.

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.