Locked Gates Ahead: Potential changes inbound for Macetown

There are few high-country tracks in Aotearoa that stir the imagination quite like Macetown Road. With 22 river crossings in just 15 kilometres, towering schist gorges, and a destination steeped in gold-mining history, it’s the kind of trail that defines why we own 4WDs. But that freedom to explore could soon come with a keypad, a permit, and a hard limit on how many vehicles are allowed through.

On 7 July 2025, a public meeting will be held in Arrowtown to discuss the future of Macetown Road — and it might be the most important conversation this track has faced in its 140-year history.

A track without protection

Despite being maintained and driven for generations, Macetown Road isn’t legally a gazetted public road. That makes it vulnerable. Currently, it's traversed by walkers, cyclists, horse trekkers, conservation volunteers, and of course, 4WDers. The terrain is beautiful but harsh — and it’s taken a toll. Weather events, river scouring, and off-track driving have led to major damage over time. And while QLDC has done basic repairs, there’s been no formal system to manage access, responsibility, or maintenance.

Enter the Mahu Whenua Access Advisory Group, a coalition of landowners, access advocates, government agencies (including DOC and LINZ), and the NZ 4WD Association. Their mission: protect access, not restrict it — but they’re facing hard realities.

The proposal: permits, cameras, and capped access

The draft plan being put forward includes a locked vehicle gate near the start of the road, with a squeeze barrier alongside it for walkers and cyclists. Vehicle users would apply for a permit online, pay a fee, and receive a gate access code. Automatic number plate recognition cameras would monitor traffic flow, and seasonal caps would limit the number of vehicles on the track during vulnerable periods.

Fees would fund an annual maintenance program. Any illegal driving or damage would be traceable — a key tool in stopping the behaviour that’s put the route at risk in the first place.

“This system will not only help monitor the number of vehicles using the road and its seasonal patterns, but it also facilitates implementing caps on vehicle numbers during peak times,” says Richard Ryall, Herenga ā Nuku’s Queenstown Lakes and Southland regional field advisor. “Our goal is to extend the life of this important track, which officially isn’t classified as a road.”

Community vs closure

If this sounds dramatic, it is. According to Ryall, the current arrangement isn’t sustainable — and the consequences could be permanent.

“Without intervention, the road’s condition will worsen, and no one is available to repair it. We need to take proactive steps to prevent that from happening,” he says.

This is about more than just one track. The system being trialed here could become a model for other remote, multi-user routes across the country. But only if the local community helps shape it.

“If we lose access irretrievably it will be a loss of national significance,” Ryall adds.

A place worth protecting

Macetown itself is a ghost town — but one with a story. The road was built in 1884 to link Arrowtown with the bustling gold settlement upstream. Today, little more than stone ruins remain, but the journey is the real treasure. It’s become a bucket-list track for locals and overseas visitors alike, with a reputation for technical challenge and timeless scenery.

For the 4WD community, it’s sacred ground. And while the thought of locked gates and plate recognition systems might feel like bureaucracy gone mad, the reality is this: a managed track is better than a lost one.

What happens next

The public meeting will be held Monday 7 July, 5:30–6:30pm at the Arrowtown Rugby Clubrooms. It’s open to all — and if you care about Macetown Road, this is your chance to be part of the solution.

Even if you can’t make it, spread the word. Engage with your local club. Stay informed. Because the future of this trail — and others like it — will depend on how we show up today.

Public Meeting Details

When: Monday 7 July 2025, 5:30–6:30pm
Where: Arrowtown Rugby Clubrooms
Why: To discuss proposed managed access system for Macetown Road