WARNING there is a possibility that the road from big carpark to the gate has had a massive slip...not sure if it has been fixed... 15.3.2026
I think this is Southlands (Southland proper) heighest elevation that there is a road to it. Bald Hill at 805m in the Longwood Range.
The Highest elevation in Southland is one of the peaks in the Takitimu Mountains 1634 m.
The pass on the Borland Road is 990 m, but that is Fiordland. (which is actually part of Southland)
On top of this hill is the geodtic survey marker B7PA. (Trig)
For years I have had this large container ready to go up there. After all who goes way up there and plants a 35mm container. It is a big hill so deserves this real large black container.
At times there will be snow here and driving rain and lots of wind so plan your trip into the mountains well.
Roads to get here. The usual way is from Otauatu. Take Knutsford Road going past the scout camp and into the forest towards the picnic grounds. At a T intersection instead of the left to the picnic grounds take the right follow the road past tree felling area and UP and UP and then more UP way UP and some more. Take care dont race up take it slow. The forestry roads are not named well if at all now take the main well used road to a quary area. You can choose to park here. Marked as WP Big parking. The road continues off to the right and your car trip ends at a very secure locked gate. Here there is ample parking for two cars but there are also several spots lower down. WP Gate Park.
From here you use shanks pony and walk around the gate and up the road. Did I say UP yes UP and more UP so much UP that you question is is really worth it.
Soon you get to the top where it is treeless and the VIEWS are breathtaking that is if you have any more breath left.
Remember this is rather exposed to the weather up here. So come prepared with a wind/rain coat or sun hat and drinking water, camera.
At the top there is a massive communication structure and several smaller ones. Also the trig a little higher at the real top.
The cache. The really big cache has a smaller container with the logbook and a pen. It is a little distance away from the trig in the middle of a small shrub. It there is snow here when you go for it you may have to dig it out of the snow.
A funny thing happened when placing this cache I placed a pen in it at the start of an afternoon of planned caching. Got down the hill for my first and no pen anywhere in the car. Had to buy a couple at the shop.
Road conditions. This is a working forestry road so the trucks can make road holes especially in winter time. Today the road was OK. At times this access may be closed due to logging opperations and access will be from one of the other 2 entrances. There is a map at the entrances explaining this.
You can take a two wheel drive car all the way to the top gate. I have personally done this with a 323 Mazda. But far more plesenter with a 4x4.
Of course you could bike up or take a day hike up one of the DOC tracks.