Kelly Range Ramble

This route requires a car drop or a short hitch back to the start.

Start at the layby after the first bridge after the Otira Township. There is a parking spot on the left after the bridge (about 100m off the road). Head up to Carroll hut from here. This is an approximately 3km 600m climb.

From the hut continue up and along the tops. On a nice sunny day there are some nice tarns and views to keep you distracted along the way but it can also be very cold and claggy so be prepared for all weather! The track along the tops is well marked and the track is mostly easy to follow.

After about 4kms take the track that leads down to the Taipo River (which on a good day you should be able to see in the distance). From here the track starts off fairly straightforward but then becomes increasingly steeper as you head down towards the scrub and bush. It is about a 1000m drop back down to the river bed.

When you reach the river it is a short diversion up the Taipo to bag a couple of huts (The historic Dillions Homestead and the new Dillions Hut, both popular with hunters). You can explore further up the valley or turn around and head down the Taipo towards the main highway.

After crossing 6 mile creek you can follow the 4WD track all the way back and it is an easy exit out back to the car or catch a ride back to the start.