Big Bush
Conservation Area

Teetotal Flat car park and campsite is located 2 min west of St Arnaud along State Highway 63. St Arnaud is 75 km southwest of Nelson. At the car park there are toilets and an information panel with a map and trail details. The car park is also used for the nearby ice skating rink.

You can also get to the car park from St Arnaud by following the track that begins at Rotoiti Lodge Road and runs alongside State Highway 63, around the base of Black Hill.

Length	3.5 km
Uses	Walking, trail running and MTB
Direction	Either
Physical Difficulty	Easy
Technical Difficulty	Easy

An easy loop track starting and finishing at Teetotal Flats car park, that can be done in either direction. Heading in a clockwise direction, the track crosses Teetotal Road and heads through kānuka forest on the western side of the council wastewater pond. Rattler Rim connects on the left, after which it crosses Teetotal Road and heads alongside a swampy area behind an old moraine mound. Along the native forest edge at the base of the ridge, it connects with Kākā Track (from which Sidewinder begins), then heads back across the grassy flats to where you began the loop.

Length	3.1 km
Uses	Walking, trail running and MTB
Direction	Either
Physical Difficulty	Moderate
Technical Difficulty	Advanced

Sidewinder begins a short distance from the bottom of Kākā Track. Follow Skating Pond loop from the car park and turn right onto Kākā Track. Sidewinder undulates along the base of the ridge through red beech forest, dipping in and out of a few small creeks. Note that the beech tree roots that the track crosses are very slippery when wet and can make riding difficult. Out of the beech forest the track passes through kānuka and grass clearings, and then re-enters beech forest at the bottom end of Flying Moa. The western end crosses grass to connect with Teetotal Road at the start of Nelson Forests Loop.

Length	3.4 km
Uses	Walking, trail running and MTB
Direction	Either
Physical Difficulty	Easy
Technical Difficulty	Intermediate

Rattler Rim begins at the western end of Teetotal Road, a few hundred metres beyond where Sidewinder ends. The trail heads through a mix of tall grass and kānuka forest, through which it makes a tightly-weaving path. Hummocky terrain, exposed rocks and the sawn-off stumps of kānuka trees make for a ‘rattly’ ride. Keep an eye out for the white plastic markers that guide the way. The track runs directly parallel with Teetotal Road on the edge of an old terrace of the Buller River. At several points you can cut back through to Teetotal Road and in one section Rattler Rim crosses to the other side of the road. The eastern end of the track connects with Skating Pond Loop.

Length	1.8 km
Uses	Walking, trail running and MTB
Direction	Either
Physical Difficulty	Moderate
Technical Difficulty	Intermediate

Kākā Track provides the most straightforward access to Big Bush Track and the other downhill tracks that descend from the ridge. The track climbs through mature beech forest with mossy undergrowth. The track is well-graded and suitable for walking and riding.

Length	2.2 km
Uses	MTB
Direction	Downhill only
Physical Difficulty	Moderate
Technical Difficulty	Intermediate
Start Elevation	850 m
Finish Elevation	600 m

Flying Moa descends from Big Bush Track to link with the western end of Sidewinder. It can be accessed by climbing the ridge via either Robin Banks Track or Kaka Track. Flying Moa winds down the ridge through lush beech forest. The track is quite rooty which can make it very slippery when wet.

Length	5.2 km
Uses	Trail running and MTB
Direction	Either
Physical Difficulty	Moderate
Technical Difficulty	Easy

Nelson Forests loop begins at the western end of Sidewinder. The loop follows a forestry road that climbs gradually up the ridge on the right, through pine forest. After 1.5 km, you’ll reach the edge of the native bush at Big Bush Conservation Area, where Robin Banks Track begins on the right. Follow the white markers as the road descends, weaving in and out of gullies and across skid sites. Once back on the flats, the road heads east back to where you started.

Length	4.4 km
Uses	Walking, trail running and MTB
Direction	Either
Physical Difficulty	Moderate
Technical Difficulty	Intermediate

Big Bush Track is the original DOC tramping track that traversed the ridge that runs parallel to Teetotal Flats, with all other recently developed MTB trails branching off it. It is an integral part of most circuits in the trail area.

Length	1.3 km
Uses	MTB
Direction	Downhill only
Technical Difficulty	Expert
Start Elevation	860 m
Finish Elevation	605 m

Length	1.9 km
Uses	MTB
Direction	Downhill only
Technical Difficulty	Advanced
Start Elevation	870 m
Finish Elevation	610 m