Te Ara Pātaka Lambing Closures 2026

Lambing is in progress 8 August – 15 October 2026. Te Ara Pātaka crosses farm land in many places.

Te Ara Pātaka will remain open during the lambing period from Gebbies Pass to Hilltop and via Orton Bradley Valley Track.

The Packhorse Hut and Rod Donald Hut can be booked as normal.

Open Tracks

These tracks are Open during lambing (8 August – 15 October):

•                               Gebbies Pass to Packhorse

•                               Kaituna Valley to Packhorse

•                               Kaituna Valley to Packhorse via Tūpari Reserve Packhorse Hut Track

•                               Packhorse to Mt Herbert (South side of Mt Bradley)

•                               Mt Herbert to Port Levy Saddle

•                               Port Levy Saddle to Hilltop

•                              All Te Ahu Pātiki Tracks - including Faulkners Track from Packhorse Hut to Te Ahu Pātiki

•                               These Orton Bradley Park tracks: Valley (main track), Arboretum, Dunmallet

Closed tracks

These tracks are Closed during lambing (8 August – 15 October):

•                               Diamond Harbour to Mt Herbert (Mt Herbert Walkway)

•                               Monument Track (North) from Purau Saddle

•                               Summit Link Track (short cut between summit of Little Mt Herbert and Monument North Track)

•                               All other Orton Bradley Tracks (note different dates: 17 August – 16 October)

‍ ‍Closed due to slips (not lambing) caused by the February 2026 extreme weather event:

•                              Monument Track (South) to Kaituna Valley

Behaviour during lambing (where tracks are open during lambing):

Farmers keep a close eye on their livestock and are often in the area. Please respect these rules when crossing farm land:

•                               No dogs

•                               Do not touch lambs or calves

•                               Give animals plenty of space

•                               Please stay on marked track

•                               Mountain bikers – slow to walking pace or dismount.