Mt Thomas Forest Conservation Area is an excellent area for day trips, with two picturesque picnic areas and several walking tracks around the two main summits, Mt Thomas (1023m) and Mt Richardson (1047m). Mt Thomas Forest Conservation Area covers 10,800 hectares, between the Ashley and Okuku Rivers, and contains extensive exotic plantations, which in the case of Mt Thomas itself extend right to the summit. From the summits there are views over the Canterbury Plains to Pegasus Bay, into the Lees Valley and the upper Okuku River.

Note: Lighting of fires is prohibited during periods of extreme fire risk, and some areas or tracks may be closed.

Access for all walks is from the Wooded Gully camping and picnic area which is located at the end of Hayland Road.  Hayland Road is reached off the Oxford to Loburn Road, near to the Garry River.

Detailed panels are located at the start of each track or a copy of the Foothills forests brochure is available from the Department of Conservation or Kaiapoi i-SITE Visitor Centre.

Kereru Track via Wooded Gully/Red Pine Track

From the picnic area follow Wooded Gully Track for 30 minutes, until you reach the junction of Kereru Track. Turn left to follow this track which links up with Red Pine Track.Turn left onto Red Pine Track to return to the car park. This track is suitable for family groups.

Time: 1 hour return (2.2 km)

Forest Track via Wooded Gully/Summit Tracks

From the picnic area follow Wooded Gully Track for about 45 minutes until you reach the Forest Track turn-off. Follow Forest Track though beech forest to join up with Summit Track. Return to the picnic area via the lower section of the Summit Track.

Time: 2 hours return (2.8 km)

Red Pine Track via Wooded Gully Track

Red Pine Track starts on the western side of Wooded Gully stream, at the campground end of Wooded Gully picnic area. The track follows beside the stream through beech forest for about 1½ hours until it joins up with Wooded Gully Track. Return to the picnic area via Wooded Gully Track.

For a shorter walk, take the Kereru Track link to reach Wooded Gully – this will give you an hour-long loop walk.

Time: 3 hours return (5 km)

Wooded Gully Track

From Wooded Gully picnic area walk up Wooded Gully Track through beech forest to the saddle west of the Mt Thomas summit.

From here you have two options:
- Climb to the summit of Mt Thomas and return via Summit Track
- Follow Ridge Track back to Wooded Gully picnic area past the Bob’s Camp Bivvy turn-off.

Time: 3 hr one way to summit (5.3 km)

Summit Track – to Mt Thomas Summit

From the picnic area follow the Summit Track up a steep ridge to the summit of Mt Thomas (1023 m) for sweeping panoramic views of the Canterbury Plains, Banks Peninsula and the Southern Alps. Come back the same way or return to the car park via either Wooded Gully or Ridge tracks, which are clearly signposted from the summit.

Important note: the plantations are privately owned – please do not light fires and take extra care in periods of extreme fire danger.

Time: 3 hours one way to summit

Ridge Track – to Mt Thomas Summit

From the western side of Wooded Gully picnic area (campground side) follow the forestry road uphill for 800 metres until a sign directs you north along a ridge; firstly, through a plantation forest, and then beech forest as you climb. The high point of this track is the Bob’s Camp Bivvy track junction. From here you can descend via Wooded Gully Track or continue on over the summit of Mt Thomas before taking Summit Track back to the picnic area.

Time:  3 hr to Bob’s Camp Bivouac Route turnoff, 4 hr to Wooded Gully turnoff, 5 hr to Mt Thomas summit (all times one way)

Pinchgut Track - Pinchgut Hut via Okuku River

Access this track from the Loburn – Whiterock Road, left into Taaffes Glen Road and park your car near Fox Creek.

Walk along the gravel road for a further 300 metres then take a track that drops down to Okuku River. Cross Okuku River, picking up a marked track leading to a clearing. Turn right and follow another short section of marked track.  Turn right onto a vehicle track, following it for 400 metres, then left onto a benched track above Okuku River.  Two large landslips are bypassed by walking along the edge of the river. 

Beyond Whare Stream the track climbs steeply, then sidles along the hillside to Pinchgut Hut.

If you intend to stay, you will need to buy your hut ticket before setting out from the Department of Conservation or Kaiapoi i-SITE Visitor Centre.

Time: 5 hours one way