Onamalutu/Northbank - Marlborough 2/9

[Taz]

Have some time off tomorrow so going to have a bit of a fang up the Onamalutu and see if I can make it over to Northbank then back out (maybe down the river? Just have to check access). Been about 15 years since I was up there so I'm sure somethings changed

If you haven't been up there it will probably just be gravel roads from memory. Most likely won't even need 4wd so it's more for a nose than anything too exciting. But if you know of anything knarly up there let me know

If anyone is keen to come along or knows any tracks or access limitations up there give me a yell.

Cheers,

Taz.

[DaveM]

Last time we were up there, road had locked gate at the Onamalutu end due to logging.

[Taz]

Aww man. The old man used to have a farm up there so will wander up and take a gander anyway.

Have you done the bike track through to the Wakamarina? Good ride?

[DaveM]

Doing through to Wakamarina this summer. Have gone to Fosters clearing and back to carpark a couple of times, which is a good ride itself.

[slide]

a bit of a fang up the Onamalutu and see if I can make it over to Northbank then back out

Hmm. Was just looking at this track on googlemaps earlier in the week. Was trying to figure if it was forestry roads and if would be locked gates?
Let us know,
I may end up heading that way later in the year if I can find time
Nath

[Taz]

a bit of a fang up the Onamalutu and see if I can make it over to Northbank then back out

Hmm. Was just looking at this track on googlemaps earlier in the week. Was trying to figure if it was forestry roads and if would be locked gates?
Let us know,
I may end up heading that way later in the year if I can find time
Nath

Yeah it's all locked up so nothing to see apart from a few really nice houses that have sprung up down there. Good to see some people still have taste.

Went up Northbank as far as the Goulter hut carpark, nice wee drive but nothing of interest 4wd wise. Had a look up the hill to but ran out of time to check out the road that I believe leads to Mt Partridge? Few gates up down there too and plenty of small slips to keep an eye out for. Shoved a few rocks off the road.

Might talk to DOC and see if it's OK to try drive up the river to the hut if possible otherwise going to walk to it for a night when things warm up and dry out.

If I can cross over from the highway will have another look in a few weeks as I want to have a nose around Lake Rotoiti and Rotoroa first.

Regarding the forestry roads, you may be able to negotiate access with the company on a weekend? I assume the Blenheim 4x4 club does just that. Wouldn't hurt to try anyway.

[Suza]

a bit of a fang up the Onamalutu and see if I can make it over to Northbank then back out

Hmm. Was just looking at this track on googlemaps earlier in the week. Was trying to figure if it was forestry roads and if would be locked gates?
Let us know,
I may end up heading that way later in the year if I can find time
Nath

Yeah it's all locked up so nothing to see apart from a few really nice houses that have sprung up down there. Good to see some people still have taste.

Went up Northbank as far as the Goulter hut carpark, nice wee drive but nothing of interest 4wd wise. Had a look up the hill to but ran out of time to check out the road that I believe leads to Mt Partridge? Few gates up down there too and plenty of small slips to keep an eye out for. Shoved a few rocks off the road.

Might talk to DOC and see if it's OK to try drive up the river to the hut if possible otherwise going to walk to it for a night when things warm up and dry out.

If I can cross over from the highway will have another look in a few weeks as I want to have a nose around Lake Rotoiti and Rotoroa first.

Regarding the forestry roads, you may be able to negotiate access with the company on a weekend? I assume the Blenheim 4x4 club does just that. Wouldn't hurt to try anyway.

If the river isn't up I cross the river at the Argile spill way and then drive 100m or so up a small creek (not sure of its name) and onto the North Bank Road.

If you are comin through my way and want some company give me a yell

[Taz]

Will do mate. What are your days off?
Would be keen to check out a few local tracks if you have time or where some are if you don't haha.

Doesn't seem to be many around that are public up here.

[imsohi]

a bit of a fang up the Onamalutu and see if I can make it over to Northbank then back out

I assume the Blenheim 4x4 club does just that. Wouldn't hurt to try anyway.

Yea the blenheim 4x4 club has just been up there we had a working bee on the 25th august and trip on the 26th. as you say lots of small slips and heaps of fallen trees on the tracks. You need a permit to get in there from merril and ring.