Black Birch Track (Ferny Gair Cons. Area, Marlborough)

"Negotiations around the partial  lease of Blairich Station in the Awatere Valley made public access available for the first time. The area of land which had become public did not have any access routes across it. An old track of about 6km within the reserve had also been opened up, with the help of the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association, and would also be used by both cyclists and trampers".

"The area was 'land-locked' as it was surrounded by private land so previously you had to get permission from landowners, or go in by helicopter. Now there will be access to this great back country area," he said.

I was unable to find out where the public easement begins but Blairich Station and Matt at Renwick DoC can inform you (03) 572 9100. In the meantime I've sent Renwick DoC an email asking them to update the DoC website.

There is a marginal strip up Black Birch Stream which allows access to the broad grassy terraces downstream of the Awatere Headworks. Continue along the true left of the stream and you will see your first orange triangle. Keep on the true left of the stream and soon you will be traveling between a deeply incised ferny yazoo stream parallel to the main stream and a fenceline.

Where you enter tall kanuka forest the track is well cut and marked. There are old alloy nameplates at some small streams (Schwass, Dick and Robert are still legible).

The track then crosses a larger sidestream that was formerly bridged. From here it rises gently to cross the crest of a spur at 400m a.s.l., then drops down to cross the northern tributary of Black Birch Stream. From this point it is well marked but only lightly trimmed. It climbs steeply to Pt 835 and continues a further 500m along the ridge to the Black Birch Bivvy.

An initially benched MTB trail has recently been cut down from the ridgeline to the true left of Schwass Stream. The bottom end will be cut in the first week of December, 2015. It is currently marked with pink cruise tape.