activities• national parks • kahurangi national park

Landscape
Kahurangi National Park offers an enormous range of landscapes: alpine tussock downs, caves, natural arches, sinkholes and water-worn outcrops to nikau forests on the West Coast. Wildlife includes the protected Blue Duck, giant land snail, largest cave spider, smallest giant weta, and the largest remaining population of Great Spotted Kiwi.

Walks and Trails
Kahurangi National Park encompasses ‘The Heaphy Track’ which is 82km.

Kahurangi - Longer hikes for several days or day trips include:

• Wangapeka track 3-5 days,
• Leslie/Karamea track 3-4 days,
• Tablelands Circuit (track) 2 days.

Kahurangi - Short Day Trips

• Mt Arthur Hut 1hr 15 mins
• Flora Hut 30 mins

Access
An hour's drive from Nelson is Motueka, and access point for Kahurangi National Park. Takaka, Karamea, Tapawera and Murchison are the National Park's gateway towns. Roads from all the gateway towns lead into carparks within the park.

Transport
Regular bus services to Motueka, Takaka and, in summer, to the start of the Heaphy Track. On-demand transport to all other access points and main track ends, year round. Light aircraft and charter helicopters provide air access to the park and return transport for the Heaphy Track.

Activities
Tramping, rafting and kayaking (experienced kayakers), fishing, caving (experienced cavers), birdwatching, photography. See Department of Conservation for more information on Kahurangi National Park .

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