Part 1 - Land Information New Zealand

RELEASED UNDER THE OFFICIAL INFORMATION ACT
Backcountry skiers periodically use the Cardrona – Cromwell Pack Track to access the Pisa
Plateau. Both the newly renovated public Deep Creek Hut and the Meg Hut which lie near the
PL boundary can be used as a base for ski touring and summer excursions.
The Pisa Range has provided a venue for adventure racing and Rogaine events on a semi
regular basis.
Heli biking is undertaken on adjoining pastoral leases.
Gold workings and associated mining relics set in a superb backcountry setting, particularly in
the vicinity of Mitre Creek provide for a high quality historical appreciation experience
Rabbit numbers can be high. Some rabbit shooting takes place. There are limited hunting
opportunities for goat, deer and chamois.
With landholder permission four wheel drivers use the various access farm tracks to access the
Pisa Range. Inappropriate use of four wheel drive vehicles (i.e. not keeping to the track) can
lead to damage to sensitive areas, including wetlands and historic sites.
2.9.4 Significance of Recreation
The PL forms a ‘wedge’ into the Pisa Conservation Area and is therefore highly significant in
providing a recreational linkage along the spine of the Pisa Range.
There are excellent opportunities to advance CMS objectives on the PL. The Otago CMS
objective for recognising mountain biking as an increasingly popular activity is “to make improved
provision for mountain biking in rural and backcountry settings in Otago including on land administered by the
department provided adverse effects on natural, historic and cultural resources and other recreational resources are
avoided or minimized”. The network of tracks on the Pisa Range (including the PL) and its natural
setting, provides excellent opportunities for mountain biking.
The PL also provides important opportunities for horse trekking. The Otago CMS objective for
horses is “To provide opportunities for access into land administered by the Department by
horses and pack animals where natural, historic and recreation values are unlikely to be
adversely affected”. Cardrona Valley is a known destination for horse trekking, with
commercial outfitters operating elsewhere in the valley. With the growth in Cromwell and
Wanaka, there is a likely increase in demand for interesting day trips on horseback, within easy
travelling distance of these towns.
The Objective for the Pisa Special Place, of which the PL is a part, reads: “To protect
representative low altitude lands and high altitude lands in the area for their landscape, nature
conservation and historical values; the latter lands on an extensive basis providing enhanced
DOCDM-924126 - Lowburn Valley CRR - 2012
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