I’ve just finished a leisurely tour of a few ZL3/SL one-pointers, and though there’s nothing exciting about the trip I’ll post accounts of the summits and access routes here in case anyone else wants to explore the region. I’ll add links on the summit pages to this topic. Feel free to contribute.
I realise that the sotadata allows articles to be uploaded against each summit - but I can’t see any way of including maps & images there (correct me if I’m wrong).
ZL3/SL-322 - Riverton/Aparima
A short walk half on-track, half off-track to a low summit in native rata forest above Riverton. Bush is mostly quite open, but requires some skill at off-track navigation.
This unnamed summit lies in rich coastal rata forest in a council-owned Mores Scenic Reserve (ZLP/SL-0097) above Riverton. There’s a grassy picnic area and parking at the end of Richard St, with enough room for motorhomes / busses if not too busy. Camping is not allowed.
Two tracks start from the picnic area - the main track is the Ta Araroa Trail, and is well signposted - that’s not the one we need however. Instead - nosing around in the grassy picnic area to the right of the main track, a small signpost marks the start of the Mores Lookout Track. This well gravelled track leads through lush forest to the westernmost of the two 171m highpoints and ends. From there you need to nose your way 800m NNW through untracked but reasonably open bush, crossing a gentle saddle to reach the 200m SOTA summit. A map+compass or GPS is advised and the terrain isn’t quite as simple as the maps indicate.
The sea-stunted rata forest is quite open and running a 40m EFHW was straight forward. We were there in flowering season, and the entire bush was carpeted in the fine red strands of rata flower.
ZL3/SL-281 - Otautau
An easy-to-access summit on the boundary between pine forest and DOC native bush west of Otautau. Requires 300m of off-track navigation to reach the summit. Access may be closed at any time due to forestry operations.
This summit lies in the Longwoods Forest Conservation Area on the way to the Pourakino Picnic Area. This conservation area is accessible through private forestry via PAE’s (public access easements) along forest roads. Note that unlike normal access easements, PAE’s can be closed at the forest-owner’s discretion for ‘operational reasons’, so check the DOC website before going.
From Otautau, follow Knutsford Road past the commercial forest boundary, stopping at the second turn-off on your left. The DOC reserve starts about 80m up this road. The old road line (shown in the topomap) that loops round to the east side of the AZ, is overgrown, but you should be able to see where 4-wheelers have been accessing it. Alternatively, follow the new maintained track (grey) that runs along the DOC boundary to where it diverges from the native bush, and then follow the boundary between the native and the pines (red) for 300m to the summit. The boundary line has been cleared in the past and is reasonable open if you stick close to the pines.
Camping is permitted at the Pourakino Picnic Area, which is 5km further west along gravel forestry roads (i.e. Longwoods is not on the list of places where freedom camping is prohibited).
ZL3/SL-298 - Otautau
An uninspiring summit lying in commercial forestry, apparently accessible via PAE’s (public access easements) along forestry roads. Straight-forward walk along forestry roads.
This unnamed summit is accessed from the summit of the Scotts Gap - Feldwick Road. A large turn-in at the entry to commercial forestry gives ample access for parking. This is part of the Te Araroa Walkway, so their website is the best spot to look for track closures due to forestry activities, or you could contact Matariki Forests directly.
The signpost at the entry-point lists the rules. No vehicle access, stick to the PAE roads, and wear hi-viz being the main points.
Both the trig point and the higher southern summit lie within the AZ.
Twinlaw [ZL3/SL-249] - Ohai
An enjoyable half-day climb to the summit of Twinlaw along the marked, sign-posted Te Araroa Trail. About 4.5km each way and a 300m climb. The pine-forest-edge provides great views north towards the Takitimu Range and east across the Southland plains. A pleasant day’s trip with a bit of radio to boot.
A DOC signpost and 3 orange-topped warratahs (Y-posts / star-posts) is all that marks the start of this section of Te Araroa off the Birchwood Wairio Road, south of Ohai. There is limited parking on the verge opposite the track - fitted two motorhomes when I was there!
The Te Araroa Trail follows the western boundary of commercial eucalyptus forest 1km south before cutting east along a farm track for a further kilometer. Crossing a stile, the poled track then follows fencelines to the base of Twinlaw Hill through farmland before making a 300m climb, again along fencelines, to the summit ridge. Current topomaps show this section of the track incorrectly - see red line on the above map for correction. The trail enters commercial pine forestry just east of the summit, passing 100m east of the summit itself and avoiding commercial masts on the summit.
Pretty much everything from the forest boundary onwards is within the AZ, so there’s no need to leave the Public Access Easement to climb to the very top.
If you have a pick-up arranged then you could continue another 8km south along Te Araroa to the Scotts Gap Feldwick road. Otherwise return the way you came.
Forest Hill [ZL3/SL-306] - Winton
An easy walk on gravel walking tracks through beautiful lush rata forest to the low summit of this range east of Winton. 1km walk (each-way), 150m climb. The most enjoyable SL 1-pointer so far.
A DOC carpark lies at the end of Forest Hill Crossing Road, south of Winton. A low branch 500m for the carpark meant that I was unable to reach the carpark in the motorhome, though cars and utes were making it all the way.
From the carpark a gravel track climbs gently through cool lush rata and fern forest to the summit of Forest Hill range. At the saddle, turn left then right to take the loop track to the summit where a viewing platform looks east across the Southland plains with views to the Catlins.
At quiet times you could probably string a dipole along the track corridor, or run a vertical from the platform. But as I visited at New Year and the tracks were busy (which is to say 2 people passed me) I opted to cut off the walking track onto one of the marked traplines and set up 10m off the track in a section of open bush. This involved a bit of throwing antenna wires over branches and bushes, but was reasonable.
ZL3/OT-526 - Chaslands
A short off-track scramble through open rata forest to reach a prominent limestone summit cleaved by cracks and sink-holes. OK - officially in Otago, but only 2km from the boundary!
Driving west along the Southern Scenic Route from Owaka towards Invercargill, a large gravel pull-in 200m before the Samson Hill Scenic Reserve provides good parking.
Follow the highway to the DOC boundary where commercial eucalypts end and mature native bush begins. Follow the boundary fence-line uphill, cutting left out into open rata forest once away from the scrub near the road. The climb is moderately steep, but open in untracked bush. You’ll soon hit the base of the limestone bluffs that ring the summit: follow their base right (east) until they end and allow you to attain the ridgeline. Follow the ridgeline back west to the summit. The combination of open cool, dark rata forest and classic limestone geography is spectacular, with deep cracks and sinkholes on the flat plateau of the summit.
ZL3/SL-321 - Omaui
A easy walk on well maintained tracks through regenerating and mature native forest to a bush-clad summit near Bluff. One of the best SL 1-pointers.
Drive through Omaui and find the council carpark beyond at the start of the track. The walking track heads south through regenerating bush, soon entering cooler mature forest. The track does not pass over the summit itself, but does pass through the activation zone, so you’ll need to find an open enough section of track to string an antenna around the high-point.
Beyond the ridgeline the track continues to the bushedge and picnic tables, where farmland gives views over the South Coast and across to Stewart Island. Sadly the picnic tables are not in the AZ.
…thanks Matt, all walks a great read with terrific photos. 
Cheers 
Geoff vk3sq; happy new year to you.
Thanks Matt for the great details.
Would be great to have the tracks and description shared for the future also on the sotamaps system:
Tracks - view, create or upload tracks or routes to SOTA summits - sotamaps.org
(File needs to be a gpx Track type)
That way they will also show up on https://sotl.as
Thanks and 73 Joe
Sorry - running on map+compass so no .gpx. The lines above were hand-drawn.
EDIT:
I see that sotamaps does support hand-drawing. Could we get the NZ public access (Walking Access Mapping System) map layer added? It would be both useful when planning trips, and make hand-drawing easier.
Happy to provide URL details for the XYZ tilestack if I know who to PM.
