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AustralAsia > New Zealand > Kahurangi National Park >Introduction
| K A H U R A N G
I N A T I O N A L P A R K |
| Kahurangi means 'treasured
possession' in Maori and lives up to its name. The park is famed for its geological
diversity - in altitude, rock formations, mountainous areas, rivers and lowlands. |
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The youngest amongst
the designated conservation areas in NZ, Kahurangi was formed in 1996 and includes some of
the last natural land tracts in the north-west of South Island. The flora and fauna is
equally rich in its biodiversity, as Kahurangi is home to many of NZ's unusual native
species, some of them rare, others endangered. This 500,000 hectare national park is NZ's
second largest and has over 100 bird species, 50% of NZ's plant species and 80% of all
alpine plant species in the country and the largest known cave system in the southern
hemisphere. Kahurangi is the last bastion of such vulnerable indigenous species as
the Great Spotted Kiwi, the giant carnivorous land snail, the Powelliphanta and the
enormous Nelson cave spider. 18 varieties of native birds like the falcon, rock wren,
kiwis and blue ducks can be seen here.
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Wharaiki Beach is a lovely walk with
fantastic rock formations, a seal colony and little islets. It's a pleasant and quiet
retreat, perfect for a holiday away from the hustle and bustle opf the city. |
Collingwood, with a population of 250 people
is a good place to shack up while you're staying in the area. From here you can start out
on treks, tours and guided walks all over the park.
| Take trip to the Farewell
Spit, one of the best wetlands and renowned bird sanctuaries. Birds from the
Arctic Tundra find a home here in the summer. The long beach here has fabulous views of
sand dunes and thousands of birds nest here. Take a guided tour otherwise walk on your
own. Bus services also run in the area. |
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Getting there
and around: Access to the park is most convenient from Nelson or the West Coast
of South Island. It is also easier in summer than in winter. Bus services, charter tours,
day tours and rental vehicles are just a few ways to get to this enormous park and its
unique wilderness areas. There is even special transportation available for trampers and
trekkers. The Kahurangi National Park Bus Services provides transportation in alliance
with private operators.
When to go: As it rains fairly heavily all year round
because the park is on the west side of South Island, the best time to visit Kahurangi is
in the drier summer months between November and January.
Where to stay: Nelson is the closest
town to Kahurangi and has many hotels and resort style complexes for outstation visitors,
but the national park has plenty of accommodation (cabins and wildlife lodges) inside the
park boundaries too. Places to stay are limited to motor camps, inns, cottages and motels.
Book in advance for the summer season, the most popular time for visitors.
Things to do: Some of the best walks are the Heaphy
Track, Wangapeka & Leslie Karamea Tracks, Cobb Valley &
Mt. Arthur Tablelands and the Kaituna Track. The Aorere Goldfield, the
first major one in the country is an interesting walk, but sorry, there's not much gold
left to find now! For information contact one of the many VI Centres in the area for some
of the best, guided walks around the place.
For more country and visitor
information, see New Zealand. |
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