Things to do in Kahurangi National Park

Hike one of NZ's Great Walks, The Heaphy Track

The Heaphy Track is New Zealand’s longest Great Walk and offers hikers unparalleled freedom and discovery in the remote wilderness of the Kahurangi National Park. There is nothing quite like the feeling of connecting with the stunning natural landscapes that envelop you from all sides as you traverse lush forests and untracked wilderness, cross rocky riverbeds and ascend the rolling ridges that lay before you. Whilst plenty of guided options are available, this track is not for the faint-hearted and is best suited to experienced hikers only. A selection of smaller walks from the four gateway towns that surround the national park can cater to the curious day-tripper.

Go mountain biking in the off season

Much like everything else in the Kahurangi National Park, the mountain biking tracks are nestled deep in the backcountry, but their remoteness makes them all the more extraordinary. The Heaphy Track is a multi-day ride spanning 78.4km, and nothing else in New Zealand can quite compare. Suitable for those with advanced skills and accessible by mountain bikers from May through November, the track meanders across diverse terrain, suspension bridges, rocky riverbeds and steep slopes. Alternatively, the Kill Devil is an advanced return track measuring 37.4km, open to riders all year round. A challenging track that lives up to its name, riders will navigate 58 switchbacks, with over 800 metres of climbs and a series of gnarly descents.

Look out for wonderful wildlife

The Kahurangi National Park is a place of majestic beauty and wonderful wildlife. Home to more than 18 species of native birds, giant carnivorous snails, the nocturnal weta, large cave spiders, and the great spotted kiwi, the park is teaming with an array of fascinating creatures. When trekking the Gouland Downs area in particular, keep your eyes peeled for the newly introduced flightless bird, the takahē. A rare relic of the indigenous bird that was once thought to be extinct, the takahē’s beauty is best admired from a distance but is something that very few people will ever get to experience.

Explore dry canyons

Experience the thrill of exploring the deep marble canyons in the majestic Kahurangi National Park on a canyoning adventure with Abel Tasman Canyons. The trips start at Courthouse Flat carpark with a beautiful walk amongst nature. You'll be surrounded by lush native forest and karst landscapes before you begin your canyoning journey, abseiling down dry chasms until you reach the crystal clear resurgence as you exit the canyon.

Have a heli adventure

The Kahurangi National Park is New Zealand's second largest national park, so make sure you see as much of its beauty as you can by taking to the skies. You're spoilt for choice when it comes to scenic flights and helicopter trips, from heli-fishing, heli-hiking and heli-biking adventures to relaxed picnics at remote alpine lakes and immersive experiences in picturesque Lord of the Rings locations.

Lord of the Rings film locations

Nestled in the heart of the Kahurangi National Park is Mt Owen, the majestic mountain range where, distraught from the loss of Gandalf, the remaining members of the fellowship escaped the mines and threw themselves to the ground in grief in the famous Peter Jackson movie. A helicopter tour with Helicopters Nelson promises the ultimate Lord of the Rings experience, as well as stunning views of the glaciated marble karst landscape in this harsh alpine environment. Top tip: double up your tour to incorporate the pinnacle rock formations that adorn Mt Olympus, the site of the “South of Rivendell”.

Challenge yourself to climb Mount Arthur

The saying “nothing worth having ever comes easily” rings true once you master the trek to the summit of Mount Arthur. The challenging 9.2km climb over rolling ridges and through waving tussock fields will treat you to glimpses of the panoramic views that await you at the top. The glaciated marble outcrops and limestone landscapes surrounding you will leave you fascinated. An extraordinary picnic spot (although you might want to make that a light picnic when journeying that far), make sure you take the time to breathe in the fresh alpine air and enjoy the 360-degree views out over Kahurangi National Park, Tasman Bay, and the neighbouring tablelands.

Go fishing for brown trout

Kahurangi is the source of the pristine Wangapeka River, a nationally recognised fishery known for its plentiful supply of brown trout. The wild upper reaches of the river are the most scenic and although fish numbers here are slightly less than in the lower reaches, many of the fish are of trophy size. The upper reaches can be accessed from the Wangapeka Track, which weaves through a stunning forest canopy of red and silver beech trees and looks down on the aquamarine pools below. Note: anglers will require a licence from Fish & Game New Zealand.

Go on a whitewater rafting adventure

Known as the white-water capital of New Zealand, Murchison’s ‘four rivers plain’ offers an endless array of water-based experiences, from rafting down the mighty Buller River to jetboating through pink granite rock passages, searching for treasure in the gold-flushed riverbed or casting a line in fly-fishing paradise. Top of our list is a multi-day rafting trip from the headwaters deep in the valleys of the Kahurangi National Park, journeying down the length of the mesmerising Karamea River and rolling through some of New Zealand’s most challenging rafting rapids.

Visit the Riuwaka Resurgence

The source of the Riuwaka River is an underground spring known as the ‘Resurgence’, a name that clearly reflects the peace and tranquillity of this special place. The crystal-clear springs are considered wahi tapu (sacred) by the people of Te Atiawa and Ngati Rarua, and emerge from the depths of the Tākaka Hill in the Kahurangi National Park, fed by the limestone passages and marble cracks that have formed within the cave over many years. Hugged by lush native forest and sheltered by the deep fold in the mountain, the Riuwaka Resurgence is situated just off the Riwaka Valley Road and is a 20-minute return walk from the grassy carpark.

Top things to do in Kahurangi National Park