Is there a locked gate and permit system in place now?
Yes the gate has now been installed and will be locked from 1st April 2026.
Don’t I have legal rights to use Macetown Road without a permit? Isn’t Macetown Road a legal road or paper road?
No. Macetown Road is a very popular 4WD track and, despite its name, is not a legal road or paper road and there are no legal easements for ongoing vehicle access. Macetown Road runs from Arrowtown to the Macetown Historic Reserve alongside and crossing the Arrow River. It primarily crosses private land (pastoral leases for Glencoe, Mt Soho and Coronet Peak stations held by Soho Property Ltd that are subject to the Mahu Whenua Covenants overseen by QEII National Trust) and traverses various other property parcels including QLDC land, DOC marginal strips and hydro parcels (Crown riverbed managed by LINZ).
Why do we need a Managed Access System?
- The Macetown Ruins and Reserve, Scholes Tunnel, the Macetown Road itself and various archaeological and historical features along and accessible via the 4WD Tracks are listed as Heritage Features to be protected within QLDC’s District Plan.
- The Macetown Historic Reserve is listed as an Historic Feature for DOC’s Western Lakes and Mountains / Nga Puna Wai Karikari a Rakaihautu Place as a ‘Local Treasure’ with 4WD access. The DOC listing notes the area is subject to visitor impacts from vehicles and vandalism.
- The Managed Access System aims to address numerous issues including:
- No existing easements providing for enduring public vehicle access.
- No funding for maintenance or repairs.
- Ongoing environmental damage and vandalism by 4WD vehicles and off-road motorcycles.
- Off-road vehicle traffic volumes causing accelerated deterioration of the track.
- Safety due to hazards and risks especially for inexperienced drivers.
- Potential liability for property owners.
- Increased occurrence of weather-related slips requiring remedial maintenance.
- Potential damage to archaeological sites and risk of potential unlawful modification or destruction of archaeological sites.
- If nothing is done, Macetown Rd will deteriorate over time, become inaccessible for vehicles and be closed.
What is the Managed Access System?
- A combination gateway structure incorporating a ‘squeeze barrier’ structure providing unrestricted access for walkers and cyclists and an opening vehicle gate secured by a combination padlock.
- A camera surveillance system with image capture and number plate recognition capability.
- An online fee-based system to process permit applications for vehicle access to the 4WD Tracks (Online Permit System).
- An annual programme to protect and preserve the 4WD Tracks including regular track condition assessments, track maintenance and improvements, management of contractors for upgrades or improvements, and hosting the online permit system.
- Easements over Crown Riverbed and Crown Pastoral Lease lands (to be registered on the land titles).
Who is the group implementing the Managed Access System?
The Mahu Whenua 4WD Tracks Access Advisory Group (4WD Access Advisory Group) has been established to ensure Macetown Road 4WD tracks are managed efficiently and effectively without undue negative impacts on the surrounding land. Their purpose is not to close Macetown Rd but to preserve enduring public vehicle access. The group includes QEII National Trust, Soho Property Limited, The Department of Conservation, Queenstown Lakes District Council, Arrowtown Village Association, Queenstown Trails Trust, Herenga ā Nuku Outdoor Access Commission, New Zealand Four Wheel Drive Association, the Shotover Four Wheel Drive Club and Arrowtown Charitable Trust.
Why do we have to pay to get a permit?
Permit fees are required to fund the annual work programme.
What will a permit cost?
- Individual 4WD vehicles or off-road motorcycles fees will initially be set at $40 per trip.
- Local residents (living within the QLDC boundaries) can access an Annual Pass for $100 allowing unlimited trips. The Annual Pass is not transferable and applies to a specified vehicle.
What happens to the money from permits?
Permit fees go into a dedicated Macetown Rd account managed by Arrowtown Charitable Trust. The funds collected can only be used to fund the annual work programme or specific costs associated with slip repairs or projects related to preserving and protecting Macetown Rd.
How do I get a permit?
The permit system will be accessible from https://permit.nzfwda.org.nz and QR codes on signage at the track start. Further publicity will advise on where to get the permits.
Will there be an easement ensuring future access and who is responsible for that?
Yes. QLDC is the applicant and nominated grantee for the easements.
Does my vehicle need registration and warrant of fitness?
Yes, that is a condition of the permit.
What about horse riders?
Horse riders continue to have free access. For further information see the information link for Horse Riders’ Here .
Where is the gate?
The gate structure is approximately 3 kms from the track start and about 750 metres uphill from the turn-off to Scholes Tunnel track at Britannia Terrace.
Is a permit required to travel only as far as the gate?
No.
Is there a place to turn around before the gate?
Yes, there is a safe turn-around place at the start of the Scholes Tunnel track / Britannia Terrace.
What about Commercial Operators? Will they be required to contribute to the costs of maintaining Macetown Rd?
Commercial operators are required to pay for and hold a concession from DOC and a Recreation Permit from LINZ. They must also have a leaseholder consent agreement. The leaseholder agreement will specify the Managed Access System permit fees to apply and the fees will be paid directly into the Macetown Rd account with Arrowtown Charitable Trust. The 4WD Advisory Group does not receive any funds from DOC or LINZ.
Is there a recommended UHF channel to use if you have a UHF radio?
Yes, we recommend users tune to Channel 15 when on Macetown Rd.
Who has funded the project?
Generous donations have been received from Community Trust South, Central Lakes Trust, QLDC, NZFWDA, Scope Surveying, ACL Communications Limited, Shotover 4WD Club, Raymond Keys, NZFWDA Southern Zone, Otago Recreational 4WD Group, Nelson 4WD Club, Central Otago 4WD Club, Otago Land Rover Club, Queenstown Lions Club and the Wanaka and Districts Lions Club.
Why do walkers, cyclists and horse riders get free access and no permit fee?
Walkers, cyclists and horse riders have very little impact on the road and do not cause the same deterioration from usage as occurs with 4WD vehicles or motorcycles. The road needs to be maintained to a much higher standard for vehicles vs the other users. Mountain bikers, riders and walkers only require a poled or lightly cut route if parts of the road have slips, washouts or rockfalls. This would not meet the needs of vehicle users. The annual work programme is aimed at maintaining the road to a standard suitable for vehicles.
When will the permit system be operational?
We anticipate the permit system will be operational by late February 2026. There will be public notices announcing the start date for permits to apply.
What is the annual pass for local residents and how do I get one?
Annual Passes will be available when the permit system is operational. These are available to residents within the QLDC boundaries and can be issued to an individual. The pass is not transferable and is restricted to using a specific nominated 4WD vehicle or motorcycle. It must not be used for commercial purposes. Register your interest in getting an Annual Pass by clicking on this link. More information regarding Annual Passes is here
Does the permit fee cover insurance or public liability for users?
No, users must arrange their own insurance cover.
Why are motor bikes the same cost as a 4WD?
The initial permit fee is set the same for individual vehicles, being 4WD vehicles or motorcycles, regardless of the number of passengers or size of the vehicle. The permit fees will be reviewed at least once per year. The review will consider actual annual costs, permit volumes and behaviour by vehicle type. Lower fees for motorcycles can be considered as part of the review.
Will permit fees be reduced if a surplus is generated?
Permit fees are required to adequately fund the annual work programme. There are several sections of the track prone to slips and / or rockfalls, especially following heavy rainfall and weather events. The group must also build a contingency fund to meet the costs of repairing a significant slip or rockfall if that occurs. A single significant slip could cost $80,000 to $100,000 to repair. Actual annual work programme costs and the level of any surplus generated will be considered at the annual review of permit fees.
Will there be consequences for vandalism or misuse of the system?
Day-to-day issues relating to misuse of the 4WD Tracks will be addressed by the 4WD Access Advisory Group to determine the response on a case-by-case basis. Vandalism or serious misconduct may be reported to the Police and may also result in persons and / or vehicles being unable to get permits in future. In serious cases a legal remedy may be considered by the 4WD Access Advisory Group, in consultation with the Commissioner of Crown Lands.
How will gate codes be issued?
The online permit system will be operational by April 2026. It will be accessible from multiple websites, or directly to https://permit.nzfwda.org.nz, and from QR codes on signage at the track start. Further publicity will advise on where to get the permits. Permits are required for each time a vehicle requires entry. When applying for a permit, the user will enter their email address and the system will send a one-time passcode to the email to verify the user’s email address. Confirmation of the permit will be sent to the user’s email address. To avoid problems if the gate code is changed between the permit application and entry date, the gate code will be sent to the user’s email address 24 hours before entry.
Can the gate code be changed while I am camping at Macetown for a few nights?
This should not happen. You will have received a gate code valid for the period from date of entry to date of exit. The permit system is designed to record entry date and exit date for each permit. Before a gate code change occurs, the system will be checked to review permits issued and a date to change the code can be identified that does not occur between entry and exit dates for a permit. Users need to make sure they enter and exit on the dates recorded for their permit.
What happens if I’ve been delayed getting out or the gate code is inadvertently changed between my entry and exit dates and I’m stuck on the wrong side of the gate?
We will review having a number to call on the website. Our gate code change process will provide some leeway number of days after last permit exit date to provide a margin for delays.
Can I still drive on Macetown Road without a permit after the system is operational?
Yes, but only for about 3 kilometres from the beginning of the track from Bush Creek Ford at Arrowtown through to the gate located just above Britannia Terrace. There is a safe turn-around area below the gate. You will need a permit to travel past the locked gate.
Can I make a donation to contribute to the costs of maintaining Macetown Road?
Yes, all donations are gratefully received. You can donate to the Arrowtown Charitable Trust’s Macetown Rd Access account at BNZ Bank. The account number is 02-1265-0020909-010. If you would like a tax-deductible charitable donation receipt please email [email protected] with details of your name, the amount and date of the donation. A receipt will be sent to your email address.
What if I get stuck or have a breakdown and can’t drive out?
Remarkables Towing have a 4WD recovery vehicle and have experience doing recoveries of vehicles from Macetown. They can be contacted on Ph 027 603 4140.