The Birchwood Picnic Area in Ahuriri Conservation Park
Located within the Ahuriri Conservation Park on Birchwood Road, deep in the Ahuriri Valley, the Birchwood Picnic Area is a beautiful alpine location with an interesting history. Before becoming a conservation park in 2004, the land was part of Birchwood Station, a working farm. Today, it features several historical buildings and a spacious grassy area ideal for picnics.
Historical Buildings and the "Spade Line"
The picnic area is home to several structures from its farming days, including a horse stable, a store shed, and a 1930s cottage. The store shed has been transformed into a picnic shelter, where you can find a wall panel detailing the "spade line," a quirky piece of local history.
This line marked the original boundary between the Canterbury and Otago provinces, defined in 1853 as the Waitaki River to its source in the Southern Alps. However, disagreements arose over the river's source: Otago claimed it was Lake Pukaki to the north, while Canterbury argued for the Ahuriri River to the east. Both provinces issued conflicting pastoral leases until 1861, when the New Zealand government established the boundary along the Ohau River to Lake Ohau, then a straight line to Mount Aspiring. The straight section of the spade line crosses several mountain ranges and valleys. In the Ahuriri Valley, the line is about one kilometre north of the picnic area.
Evolution of the Provincial Boundary
In 1899, a more practical boundary was introduced, running up Lake Ohau and the Hopkins Valley to the Main Divide in the Southern Alps, expanding Otago's mountainous region. Although provincial governments no longer exist, this historical boundary remains a curious aspect of the area's past.
How to Get There
To reach the Birchwood Picnic Area, take Birchwood Road from State Highway 8 at the head of the valley, between Omarama and Lindis Pass. From there, it is a slow 70-minute, 25 km drive. If you plan to explore further up the Ahuriri Valley to the end of Birchwood Road, a 4WD vehicle is necessary.
While in the valley, you can access the Ahururi River for fishing, and check out the Ben Avon Wetland and the Ireland Road Bridge.
