Getting there

Mt Thomas is about 60 km northwest of Christchurch by road and is reached through Rangiora and Loburn, or Oxford and the Ashley Gorge.

The major access point into the forest is Hayland Road, which turns off Birch Hill Road. Wooded Gully picnic and camping area is at the end of Hayland Road.

Description

From Wooded Gully Picnic Area, follow Wooded Gully Track (see Mt Thomas walking tracks) until you reach the saddle at the head of the valley.

Turn left and follow Ridge Track until you reach the sign marking the start of Bob’s Camp Bivouac Route.

From the sign follow the marked route along the ridgeline, dropping steeply into beech forest. Follow the undulating route northwest along the ridgeline until you reach a tussock clearing above Cattle Peak Stream. From here follow the poled route down to Bob's Camp Biv.

Water can be obtained from the upper tributaries of the Cattle Peak Stream east of the biv.
Total times:

From Wooded Gully Picnic Area to turn-off onto Ridge Track - 3 hours.
From Ridge Track to Bob's Camp Biv - 2 hours.