Deep Stream – Fisherman’s Bend
4 October 2026
Four of us left Oamaru at 8am and it was good to see The Flying Pig open going through Duntroon. The Deep Stream is situated half a kilometre up the road on the other side of the Aviemore Dam. We started walking at 9am in sunshine though a chilly wind which we were soon out of as we walked up the gorge. Tizzy and John’s hand saws were put to use further up the track where there is a tendency to have windfall. At 2km, we crossed the Deep Stream and with the Landowners permission continued on their farmland. We spent an hour sidling up through Matagouri to try to get above it which we did and then up and down a few hills before reaching a 4WD track. Ideally, and in the past, it is better to stay down and walk along near the true left of the stream for an hour. However, adventures are to be had. At the north end of the short valley, we reached our lunch spot at Deep Stream 3 hours after starting out. The Himalayan honeysuckle is fairly toxic to stock and had died down over winter but at the lunch spot, it was rapidly shooting up spring growth. After a relaxing lunch by the water, at 12.30pm we back tracked along the 4WD track and followed it towards the east, reaching the saddle and gate 1 hour later. This saddle overlooks Fisherman’s Bend. Again, following the 4WD track down and towards the south, we bypassed ruins of a stone house. Through a couple more gates, and 1 hour after leaving the saddle, we reached the entrance to the Fisherman’s Bend camping area. Half an hour later, back at the car with some recycling and looking forward to an ice cream at Kurow after a warm sunny day out.
Thanks for your company, Kathryn, Tizzy and John.
Bess
