Ōtoko River

Ask permission to cross private land to access the valley – on the true left Ben Monk, 03 751 0899, and on the true right Thomas Condon, 03 751 0864.
Highway via Paringa River to Ōtoko River
Either bank of the Paringa River can be followed to the Ōtoko confluence, although in normal flow it is easiest to begin on the true left on a farm road, then cross to the true right 1km from the highway. This avoids a nasty vegetated bluff. Easy travel on flats and open bush sidles leads to the confluence.
If sticking to the true left, a couple of thick bush sidles are needed initially, where the river has cut in close to the bank, and at a small bluff just before Stew Creek, which has a lightly-marked route around it (2020).
Time: 2.5 hrs
Ōtoko River to Stag Flat
From the confluence, follow cattle tracks through clearings and drop into an incised creek at BY14 219 494 where the river makes a distinct bend. Head down the creek to the river and follow the river to BY13 237 492. Here boulders block the river. Climb up onto bush terraces (there is an old, very overgrown track) to Reynold Flat and Stag Flat (good camping).
Times: confluence to Reynold Flat: 3 hrs; Reynold Flat to Stag Flat: 3.5 hrs
To the valley head
Continue by the river for 500m, then sidle on deer trails 50–100m above the river to a small clearing at BY14 313 454. Travel from here to the large gravel fan at Harker Torrent is easier by the river. Ascend Harker Torrent to the 720m contour and sidle up valley to reach a stream draining Mt Matheson at 730m (BY14 339 443). Follow this creek to the 810m contour, then sidle into the main river. Boulder and bush travel leads to the gravel flats at the head of the valley.
Time: 8hrs