Hey Bluey, Deep creek track entrance is at -41.774579, 172.142891 and Manuka Flat entrance is at -41.810322, 172.102288. Manuka flat entrance is a lot easier to see and find. Deep creek is quite a narrow and steepish entrance. Also you have to be careful as the entrance is kind of on a blind corner on the Upper Buller Gorge road. There are numerous side tracks and dead ends. Quite good fun exploring the area. Deep creek is more technical and Manuka is more picturesque. Don't let the length of the tracks put you off. You can easily spend the day there exploring side tracks and interesting views. Then go stay at Lyell campground and the next day tackle the Iron Bridge to Denniston route. One of my favourite 4wd tracks.

Yes, first time we took a stock Hilux with standard size tyres (AT) and no lift in. If you go, just walk any water that look deep, don't just drive in. A while back there was a Hilux drowned and it took a group of 15 or so 4wd's and a lot of digging one weekend to get it out. Just be sensible when you cross the rivers. Check the depth and the bottom for big rocks and if there is a pebble bar, check if it is soft before you drive over it.

Thank you, this was over new years, height of summer. Let me know if you want any additional information.

Currently the Godley valley track is very tricky. The Godley river has changed and now the main channel flows hard against the right side of the valley and is only fordable when the river is in low flow periods. If you are keen to explore, make sure you go with another vehicle and that both vehicles have winches, in case you need to rescue a vehicle. Walk any major crossings, to ensure it is fordable. The Godley valley is one of my favourite valleys. Absolutely gorgeous, but very dangerous. Tip: look at what the weather does on the coast and check the ecan water flow data before heading out. The catchment for Godley are impacted by the West Coast rainfall. All I’m saying is, it is doable. Just that you should be careful and evaluate the situation before attempting to cross the main channel. Water flows might look calm, but once you walk it, you quickly realise if it’s doable or not.

@@explorewithmarcus nice thanks so much for the advice mate. Last time we went to Macaulay hut by ourselves single vehicle so I was worrying get stuck at somewhere all the time. Next time I’ll get a friend to go together. Thanks bro

@@user-rb5fj2pe2t if you have a winch, get yourself a land anchor if you want to travel solo. Then you have the ability to get out of any situation. They weigh about 15-25kg and cost around $250 or so. PM me, as I’ll be selling my brand new one I’ve bought a year ago. If you interested of course.

How do you get access up the godley river

@@lesmondk3376 you have to cross the main channel twice. That’s why it’s critical that the river flow is low.

If you don’t know about it, it’s a bit scary. 😂

For real?

@@explorewithmarcus Still researching this he was a pilgrim Canterbury settlement…. But didn’t stay long en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Jackson_(Bishop-designate_of_Lyttelton)#:~:text=Thomas%20Jackson%20(1%20September%201812,and%20instead%20returned%20to%20England.

It’s pretty easy once you’ve done a bit of 4wd’ing. Major things on the track is the river crossing. Just walk the crossing and if you can, then you’ll be good. But if the river is up, please don’t attempt to cross, because you have to be at work on Monday. There are numerous examples of utes stuck and buried for weeks in the Macauley river, because people did stupid things. Would be best to have a mate go with you and ensure you have a snatch strap or something, if you get in trouble. For the main Macauley crossing at the end of the gravel road, use the well worn track. The gravel bars can be very soft and you can sink your truck to the chassis. But in general, the track is pretty easy and the first time out there is always very magical. Send me a PM if you need more info.

Awesome, sounds like you had a lovely adventure.

Hey thanks mate, great to hear you enjoying the vids. In terms of Black Birch road, no permission required, it is public access.

My pleasure. A Toyota Land Cruiser would be fine. Normally around xmas the water levels in Macauley is not to deep, but can rise quickly after a rain storm in the catchment of the river.

No, sorry. Not yet.

I’ll do a video in the future

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for the sub.

Yeah, New Zealand is great country to explore.

Yes, the Havelock track is easy compared to Macauley and a lot easier than Godley. To get to Growler Hut, you basically drive past the hut and then turn back up the hill to where the hut is located. The track to this point is very easy to follow. The hut is beautiful and there is a nice little stream running behind the hut. You can also camp close to the hut, there is nice open flat areas. Check the ECan Rangitata River Flows and make sure it's below 100 m3/s (www.ecan.govt.nz/data/riverflow/sitedetails/69302) if you want to be very safe. If you feeling a bit more adventurous, you could cross the main channel at 150m3/s flows. Above that I wouldn't attempt it if I'm solo. The track get harder past Growler Hut, as you driver towards Mistake Flat Hut and you have to cross the Havelock River to get to Curtis Memorial Hut. One bit of advice, check what the weather is doing on the West Coast, as the Havelock and the Clyde Rivers has catchments effected by rainfall on the West Coast.

Thank you so much Marcus, your help is much appreciated. Can't wait to give it a go.

Yeah, it is on the todo list.

No worries, they are quite good fun to drive.

Yeah, very little / close to nothing remains of the actual Godley glacier now. I packrafted up the lake to pt 1346 in April 22

You are right, afterwards I realised I had it wrong.

@@davidr1000 Wow, that sounds like a good adventure!

Yes, you can. The Mackley river might be an issue that time of year, with high water levels. So you might not be able to do the New Creek to Denniston track. The Mount Rochfort area aren't to badly effected by snow, as far as I know. So if you come in from the Westport side most of the tracks should be doable. The Mount Frederick track is sand stone and drivable in rain, etc. That area is fantastic and worth an explore. Also check out the Manuka Flat & Deep Creek tracks which you'll find just before Lyell campground. Not massively long, but very interesting and fun little side diversions. (Next time, I'd probably wild camp in there, instead of Lyell campground, which is rife with sandflies) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fr2JpJB0u-CXYYU.html The end of August is pretty cold down here. So I'd suggest 12v electric blankets or diesel heater to keep the tent warm. If you're using a swag, I find it's a bit easier to warm the swag up. What route are you guys thinking of doing? Keep in mind many tracks are closed until labour weekend. So I would almost suggest to delay the trip a bit. But if you guys are coming down for snow, then it's a perfect time.

We need to be in Queenstown from the 30th of August to 1st of September 2024. So week prior and week after will be exploring/ 4x4 / remote camping. I have already built a 3000w inverter into my FJ to run the electric blankets 😁. Diesel heaters are on the list, will appreciate if you have some remote campsites to suggest. We were thinking of touring down the West Cost as my sister stays in Greymouth and back the East.

The idea is also to try and camp in the snow.

On the Denniston plateau, there are numerous little camping spots. You'll see them as you explore the area. Then I can recommend Punakaiki Beach Camp and the area. Quite a few things to do and see around there. If you are going through Reefton, then do yourself a favour and head up to the Big River track. There is a nice hut up the hill at the end. But I'd rather camp by the river as carrying your stuff up the hill to the hut is a chore. If you haven't done Napoleon Hill track before, that is absolutely gorgeous with two tunnels you have to go through. Well worth the effort and price of entry.

Appreciate your help, ek geniet jou videos.

Yeah, incredible achievement.

Not as far as I know.

Yes, it is. In December during school holidays it is not uncommon to have up to 40 people staying there.

I’ve been up the Branch river to Greig’s hut. I still want to explore the other side.

Thank you

I explored the area. Next time I’ll camp there as well. The sandflies at Scottie’s hut is atrocious!

@@explorewithmarcus they are not racist them sandflies they liked us Maori’s also bloody little bast - ards

I don’t remember, that trip was back in Dec 2019 and I haven watched that vid in a long time. I did do a more recent video.

Yeah, it was so stunning back then. Now it is a real struggle to get in there. That river changed course and most of the track is gone.

Yes, that’s true. I tried to go back up there 3 months later in March and could not make it up. Track was completely destroyed and washed out.

It is Manuherikia River West Branch track - www.patreon.com/posts/manuherikia-west-77935515 Absolutely a fantastic track close to Omarama.

@@explorewithmarcus Thank you Marcus. Will add that to our list👍

I bought www.trademe.co.nz/trade-me-motors/car-parts-accessories/other-accessories/auction-4269251863.htm to replace my old two piece anchor. Mud stuck has a special on theirs currently: www.trademe.co.nz/trade-me-motors/car-parts-accessories/other-accessories/auction-4269330723.htm These style ground anchors don’t take up much space, hence why I replaced the old one. I think they are very similar to the Lan-cor ones. You going to enjoy the trip next summer 🌺 great time to be out in the mountains 🏔️

Make sure to go check out the hot 🔥 pools. Just look for the track past the first obvious hot pool, about 50m down stream there are 3 gorgeous pools. Different temperatures in each pool…fantastic. Also, don’t skip Mt Patriarch…absolutely stunning.

@@explorewithmarcus Thanks Marcus. We enjoy your sensible, well thought out style of exploring, and we sure live in a great country.

@@gringo19860 thank you, much appreciated.

Thank you!

@@explorewithmarcusGood day when did you do this track I think I seen it before if you just done it recently it doesn’t look too bad I herd it’s taken a bit of a pounding lately

No this footage is from Jan 2022 and a re-edit of an older video. One of the videos I'm migrating. Been up there earlier this year and had to turn around as the main channel is now running on the left and stopped us from crossing. I loved it out there and want to go explore it some more.

@@explorewithmarcus yeah we love it also we heading down to Barn bay in October

This video is my first ever video I made for the channel. It has minor edits.

@explorewithmarcus sorry so is that a re-upload from the old channel or not? Haha

Yeah, I'm kinda thinking of doing a North Nelson trip (Abel Tasman, etc).

That's cool, the track is not to difficult. I see that old red zook body is still at the bottom of one of the drops.

Yeah mate, I do it monthly in my stock standard Mazda bounty 4x4 Ute, driven all the way in in 2wd last couple of times, light foot, right line. 4wd required to get out though, a couple of nasty bits just north of the hut now. Sad how much the tracks deteriorated since the Lange govt took power. I get the distinct feeling that DOC doesn’t want our back roads to be driveable any more.

Thank you, I’m happy you enjoyed it.

Thank you.

Yeah mate, they are worth the effort. Real fun to drive and not boring at all.

Thanks mate! Yes, It is just a nice track and camping next to the stream is awesome. I'm already thinking of going back and exploring the area a bit more. There is a few tracks I've noticed on this trip and want to go explore them a bit more. Are you guys planning another SI trip December?

@explorewithmarcus I had seen quite a few little side tracks to explore but I wasn't too keen been stuck in 2wd, we'd love to get back down your way this year but at this stage we will be back down in March planning a big trip I'll pm you the track list I've got at the moment and see if you have any suggestions!