Are you a thrill seeker? Then Murchison has to be on your itinerary. The Murchison four rivers plain offers some of the best all-grades white water kayaking and rafting in New Zealand, and has been named as one of the top 10 white water destinations in the world.

Murchison’s a place which is rich with history. It’s had its share of natural upheaval, after almost being destroyed by an earthquake in 1929, but the landscape has also provided great riches, including a goldrush in the 19th century. To this day, you can still try your hand at panning for gold in the Buller River, using pans and shovels. Find out more at www.visitmurchison.nz or explore the visitor guide (PDF).

From the Gowan to the Mangles, Matiri to the Matakitaki, and Maruia to the Buller, you’re truly spoilt for choice when it comes to water-based activities. Whether you’re jetboating through pink granite canyons, navigating fast-flowing rapids on board a white-water raft, walking across New Zealand’s longest swing bridge, or knee deep in premier brown trout rivers, there truly is something for everyone in this quaint, but beautiful, little village.

Murchison is a fantastic access point for world-famous fly-fishing destinations and is very close to the stunning lakes of Nelson Lakes National Park. Plus, as it’s less than two hour’s drive from Nelson, Murchison is a convenient gateway to other popular South Island destinations such as the West Coast, Hanmer Springs and Christchurch. If you’re planning a motorcycle tour, you’ll love the sweeping curves on the road through the Buller Gorge, which is easily accessed from the Murchison township.

The places that make up the Nelson Tasman region are each remarkable in their own right, and if you have the time to explore, you'll discover a wealth of extraordinary experiences right at your fingertips.

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