Located in the Otago region
The use of 4WD vehicles and trail bikes within Kopuwai is limited to the formed tracks marked on the Kopuwai brochure map. Keep to the formed tracks as vehicles have already done considerable damage to fragile areas. Recovery can take many years – if ever.
There are opportunities for cross country ski touring in the Kopuwai Conservation Area. The terrain may often appear non-threatening compared to that of steeper slopes. However, this is an exposed alpine area with an unpredictable climate – skiers venturing into this area require good alpine navigational and snow survival skills.
Early season information about this area from Ski Touring New Zealand.
When there's good snow conditions, these are good skiing trips:
Navigation can be tricky so always have good navigation tools and know how to use them. You can encounter icy and difficult conditions.
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.
The ridges of the area are relatively bare during winter due to strong winds. Snow is normally windblown down and caught in the gullies. The best time to venture into this area is after a big Southerly storm when it has brought a cold frigid air mass with snow from Antarctica.
Recreational use of snowmobiles is only allowed in a designated area within the Old Man/Kopuwai Conservation area.
Map showing where snowmobiles are allowed (PDF, 1,511K).
Ride responsibly to minimise your impact on this conservation area and the enjoyment of others.
The area has several entry points, for example:
Kopuwai has several vehicle entry points:
Several access routes cross private land. Respect livestock and property and follow the instructions on DOC signs. Leave gates as you find them and use stiles where they’re provided.
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.
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.
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.
Remember that all rocks, historic artefacts, native plants and animals are protected on public land. Tread carefully and take only photographs.
Kopuwai/Old Man and Old Woman Ranges run from north-west to southeast, creating a rain shadow that blocks and absorbs southerly fronts, making Central Otago New Zealand’s driest area.
Kopuwai became conservation land from tenure review outcomes and land purchase. The long summit crest is exposed and has an average annual temperature close to zero degrees celsius.
Kopuwai Conservation Area is around 20,000 ha and ranges from 800 m above sea level to 1,682 m. The highest point is at the Obelisk/Kopuwai on the Old Man Range. The ranges are dotted with distinctive schist rock tors and bisected by fields of freeze-thaw hummocks and mounds, creating a wave-like effect across the slopes and basins.
Nestled in the ranges are the headwaters and alpine basins of Campbell Creek and the Pomahaka and Fraser rivers. The ranges are also bisected by steep gullies that add to the area’s remarkable diversity. Hyde Rock is a short walk over a stile offers spectacular views.
The ground cover is dwarf, tundra-like vegetation of windblasted cushion plants. A low growing dracophyllum dominates these areas, along with several mountain daisies. Blue tussock is prevalent, with other small native grasses and occasional patches of taller, slim snow tussock. Lower down, narrow-leafed snow tussock is dominant.
Snow can linger for several months a year – wet snow banks host small cushion-forming herbs. There are larger wetlands of bogs, seepages and tarns in the headwaters of the Fraser River and Campbell Creek.
The lower altitude scrubland hosts the grey warbler/riorio, silvereye/tauhou, Californian quail and other introduced birds. In open tussock:
The Australasian harrier/kāhu is common and the rare New Zealand falcon/kārearea both nests here and soars overhead.
Kopuwai is a sub-alpine island for lizards and invertebrates includng beetles, grasshoppers, weta, spiders and moths, many found nowhere else in the world. Individually and collectively they help maintain the natural balance of this unique landscape.
The area is rich in Māori and European history. Find out about the legend of Kopuwai, and about the European history of gold mining and farming in the Kopuwai Conservation Area.
History and culture of Kopuwai Conservation Area.
Discover the historic Whites Hut built on an old gold mining site.
| Tititea / Mount Aspiring National Park Visitor Centre | |
| Phone: | 0272696871 |
| Fax: | 03 4437660 |
| Email: | wanakavc@doc.govt.nz |
| Address: |
1 Ballantyne Road Wanaka 9305 |
| Postal Address: |
PO Box 93 Wanaka 9343 |
| Full office details | |