What to Expect:
Experience McDonald Downs by travelling along our private farm road through a working high-country station.
The journey begins at 438 McDonald Downs Road (Hawarden/Waikari end) and takes approximately one hour to reach our locked gate at the station boundary. Once your booking has been paid for, you will receive a confirmation email containing the gate code and further travel information.
The route is clearly marked with directional arrows where the track branches, making it easy to follow.
From the locked gate, you can:
Turn right to continue through Lees Valley and on to Oxford.
Turn left to travel towards Loburn and Rangiora.
You can also travel the route in reverse, entering from the Lees Valley/Okuku Pass side and exiting at McDonald Downs Road, provided this option has been selected when booking.
Please allow plenty of time to enjoy the scenery, creek crossings, rolling hills, and unique high-country landscapes along the way.
Track Conditions
The tracks at McDonald Downs are private formed routes. They are not maintained to public road standards and are not managed as public roads.
Conditions can change quickly. Hazards are not individually signposted or marked. The track is not inspected or maintained daily and extreme care is required at all times.
Access may be closed at short notice due to:
Adverse or forecasted bad weather
Flooding or unsafe river levels
Extended dry conditions or drought where the track becomes too dusty, unstable, or poses a fire risk
Any other safety concerns at our discretion
If we need to cancel or postpone your booking due to track or weather conditions, you will be offered the opportunity to reschedule to a suitable alternative date.
Potential Hazards
Visitors must be prepared to encounter, without warning:
Loose gravel and potholes
Rockfalls and large rocks
One-lane bridges
River and stream crossings
Blind corners and limited visibility in places
Oncoming vehicles and motorbikes
Livestock and potential wildlife
Weather conditions may rapidly affect surface quality, water levels, and visibility.
Vehicle & Driver Requirements
4WD or high-clearance vehicles only permitted on the farm track
Drivers must travel at a speed that allows them to stop safely at any time
Recommended speed: 30km/h in open terrain
If you are unsure of your ability to safely navigate these conditions, you must not proceed
Drivers must keep left at all times
Take all rubbish and belongings with you
There is no mobile phone coverage on the property. Visitors must be self-sufficient and prepared for sudden weather changes or emergencies.
Property & Farm Etiquette
McDonald Downs is a working farm. All visitors must:
Leave gates exactly as found
Respect livestock, property, and staff
Dont block roads, gateways, tracks, or entrances
Responsibility & Liability
By entering McDonald Downs and proceeding with payment, all visitors acknowledge and accept responsibility for their own safety and wellbeing.
Visitors enter and use the property, including all farm areas, private tracks, roads, and surrounding land, at their own risk. To the fullest extent permitted by law, McDonald Downs, its owners, employees, and representatives accept no liability for any injury, illness, loss, damage, accident, or theft affecting any person, animal, vehicle, or property while on the property or using its facilities and accessways.
All visitors are expected to exercise reasonable care, follow any instructions provided and be aware that farming activities, livestock, uneven terrain and changing weather conditions may present inherent risks.
Address
McDoanld Downs
438 MacDonald Downs, Hawarden
North Canterbury 7385
South Island - New Zealand
Contact
infomcdonalddowns@gmail.com
+64 27 475 6008