Kahurangi National Park
Diverse and wild, Kahurangi is an enticing world of marble mountains and peaceful, palm-fringed beaches. In the Maori language, Kahurangi means 'treasured possession', a clue to the attractions of New Zealand's second largest national park. Within its boundaries lie some of the oldest rocks, strangest plants and rarest birds in the country. While much of the park is untracked wilderness, other areas are laced with a network of walking tracks that allow you to explore high plateaux and coastal palm forests. The Heaphy Track is the park’s most famous and accessible treasure, followed by more than 4000 walkers each year. A ‘Great Walk’ by every definition, the track covers 78km of subtropical rainforest, tussock high country, river valley and coast. For hundreds of years the route was used by local Maori tribes on their way to the pounamu (greenstone) resources of the west coast. Key Activities Long and short walks The beautiful Heaphy Track is a 3 to 5-day walking experience that explores a diverse range of forest, beaches and tussock downs. The Wangapeka Track traverses the park from east to west, also taking between 3 and 5 days. There are many shorter walks in the park, which begin at access roads leading from Karamea, Tākaka, Murchison and Motueka. Caving The Kahurangi national park's famous cave systems attract spelunkers from all over the world.Some of the finest caving in New Zealand can be found inside Mount Owen, which still has many unexplored passages. Caving expeditions usually involve the use of helicopters to transport equipment, supplies and cavers to the entry point. River fun Remote, wild rivers are a feature of the park. Many are suitable for experienced kayakers only, but commercial rafting tours are available. The Karamea River is known for good trout fishing.
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