Oxford Forest Conservation Area covers an area of 11,350 hectares with tracks through the tawai/beech and scattered podocarp forests. Choose from day walks, overnight tramps or mountain biking (permitted on the Wharfedale Track only). Lighting of fires is prohibited during periods of extreme fire risk, and some areas or tracks may be closed.

Access:

Coopers Creek car park – at the western end of Oxford, take Woodside Road. 8km northwest turn right into Mountain Road to the Coopers Creek car park.

 

View Hill car park – from Oxford drive west on Inland Scenic Route 72 for about 2kms, then turn right into Woodstock Road, travel approx 10kms, turn right up Ingrams Road, which turns left into Perhams Road. An AA signpost indicates the turn-off to the start of the Wharfedale Track and the View Hill car park

Lees Valley – at the eastern end of Oxford, turn into High Street, which becomes Ashley Gorge Road and travel 6kms north to the Lees Valley Road.

Coopers Creek to Ryde Falls Track

This well formed track initially crosses cleared private land with views of the plains and surrounding hills. It enters the beech forest and finally descends to Coopers Creek to view the five tier Ryde Falls. Return the same way

Note: No dogs allowed on private land and walkers must keep to the track. “Rydes Tramway” route is not maintained and is overgrown.

Time:  3 hours one way (7 km)

View Hill to Ryde Falls Track

Turn off the Wharfedale Track about 20 minutes into the forest from the car park. Descend to Coopers Creek to view Ryde Falls.

Time: 2 hr one way (3 km)

Link Track - View Hill to Coopers Creek Track

To take this link track turn off  Wharfedale Track about 10 minutes into the forest from the car park and join Ryde Falls Track. Follow this track east to Coopers Creek car park.

Time: 3 hours one way (7 km)

Tramping Tracks:

Wharfedale Track

This long, easy graded track was used as a stock route in the 1890s and now provides access for trampers. The Wharfedale Hut is a basic 10-bunk hut, sited on the true right of Dobson Stream.

This track is also popular with mountain bikers - Grade 3 track.

Time: 5 hours one way (15 km)

Mt Oxford Track - Coopers Creek carpark to Mt Oxford summit

Mt Oxford Track takes you from the Coopers Creek car park to the summit of Mt Oxford.

Start from Ryde Falls Track, cross the west branch of Coopers Creek and climb gradually through scattered pockets of  beech forest, and then more steeply through snow tussock. From the summit of Mt Oxford (1364 metres) there are good views.  An alternative descent returns to the car park at View Hill via the Wharfedale Track.

Time: 4 hours one way

Black Hill Track - Wharfedale Track to Black Hill Hut Track

Begin at Wharfedale Track (see Mt Oxford Forest walking tracks) junction north of the saddle between the Eyre and Townshend catchments (Grid Ref 308764). Climb steeply onto the ridge between Foster and Dobson Streams. The hut is a one-ticket hut with 6 bunks and a woodstove.

From the hut further unmarked routes give access to Salmon Creek and the Puketeraki Range.

Time: 3 hours one way

Townshend to Black Hill Track

Start at the confluence of the Townshend River and Dobson Stream (Grid Ref 334789) and climb a beech-covered ridgeline to Black Hill Hut.

Time: 3 hours one way

View Hill to Mt Oxford Track - View hill carpark to Mt Oxford Summit

Branch off the Wharfedale Track (see Mt Oxford Forest walking tracks) about 20 minutes from View Hill car park (Grid Ref 328729) and follow a forested ridge that opens onto tussock grassland around Mt Oxford.

Time: 4 hours one way

Townshend Track – Wharfedale Hut to Lees Valley Road

Mountain biking, grade 2

This is an extension of the Wharfedale Track. It crosses tussock flats, mostly on a four wheel drive track, returning to Lees Valley Road 1.5 km north of the Ashley River/Rakahuri bridge.

If you wish to drive vehicles over this section of track you must contact Mt Pember Station.

An alternative route exists between Shifton and Storm streams (route 5). It is not well marked but avoids the need to cross the Townshend River in times of high river levels.

Time: 3 hours one way