Nelson Lakes National Park

Nelson Lakes Overview

Nelson Lakes National Park, known in the Māori language as Kahurangi o Te Tau Ihu, is a breathtaking protected area in the northern reaches of New Zealand’s South Island.

Encompassing approximately 397 square miles (1,020 square kilometers), the park is renowned for its striking alpine landscapes, glacial lakes, and lush beech forests. Located near the town of St. Arnaud, it forms part of the greater Southern Alps, offering visitors a mix of rugged mountain peaks, pristine waterways, and diverse ecosystems.

The park is centered around two stunning lakes, Rotoiti and Rotoroa, both formed by glacial activity and now serving as tranquil highlights for visitors. The surrounding mountains, including Mount Robert and the Travers Range, add to the park’s dramatic beauty, while waterfalls and rivers carve through the terrain, offering spectacular scenery throughout.

The park’s terrain varies from rolling foothills covered in beech forest to high alpine ridges where rock and tussock dominate. The lower elevations are thick with red and silver beech trees, providing crucial habitats for a variety of bird species.

As visitors ascend into higher altitudes, the vegetation shifts to alpine shrubs and hardy grasses, with snow-capped peaks forming a striking contrast against the deep blue lakes below. The park’s waterways, including the Travers, Sabine, and D’Urville Rivers, are essential components of the landscape, feeding into the lakes and sustaining a complex ecosystem. Lake Rotoiti, with its famous jetty, is particularly popular for photography, while Lake Rotoroa is a quieter, more remote alternative for those seeking solitude.

Nelson Lakes National Park is home to an array of wildlife, particularly bird species that thrive in its varied habitats. The park is a stronghold for native New Zealand birds, including the kea, an intelligent alpine parrot known for its curiosity and mischievous nature.

Other bird species include the bellbird, tui, and rifleman, as well as the elusive great spotted kiwi, which can occasionally be heard calling at night. The forests and wetlands also provide refuge for the South Island robin and kaka, another native parrot species.

While large mammals are not native to New Zealand, introduced species such as red deer and possums can be found in the park, though they are managed to prevent ecological imbalance. The park’s lakes and rivers are also home to brown and rainbow trout, making it a favorite spot for fishing enthusiasts.

One of the most popular features of Nelson Lakes National Park is its extensive network of hiking trails. The park offers a range of walks, from short lakeside strolls to multi-day backcountry adventures. The Travers-Sabine Circuit is one of the most well-known routes, taking hikers through breathtaking alpine scenery and along picturesque river valleys.

The climb to the summit of Mount Robert provides panoramic views of Lake Rotoiti and the surrounding mountains, while the more challenging Angelus Hut route leads trekkers to an idyllic alpine lake. Water-based activities such as kayaking and boating are also popular on the lakes, offering a peaceful way to experience the park’s beauty. In winter, the nearby Rainbow Ski Area attracts visitors for skiing and snowboarding.

Nelson Lakes National Park faces conservation challenges, primarily related to invasive species that threaten native wildlife. Efforts to control introduced predators such as stoats and rats are ongoing, with trapping programs in place to protect vulnerable bird populations.

The park is also part of New Zealand’s broader conservation initiative, with the Department of Conservation working alongside local community groups to restore native ecosystems. Successes include increasing populations of native birds through predator control and habitat restoration, as well as improved visitor education programs that encourage responsible tourism.

As a result, Nelson Lakes National Park continues to be a sanctuary for New Zealand’s unique flora and fauna while offering unforgettable experiences for those who explore its landscapes.

Park Map

Nelson Lakes National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Nestled in the northern reaches of New Zealand’s South Island, Nelson Lakes National Park is a stunning alpine landscape featuring rugged mountains, glacial lakes, and native forests. The park is home to a variety of unique wildlife, including endemic reptiles, amphibians, and mammals that thrive in this cool and forested environment.

New Zealand Long-Tailed Bat
One of New Zealand’s only native land mammals, this small, nocturnal bat plays a crucial role in controlling insect populations. It roosts in tree hollows and caves, using echolocation to navigate through the dense beech forests.

South Island Tūtara
A living relic of the dinosaur age, this ancient reptile can be found in select areas of Nelson Lakes National Park. It prefers cool, shaded environments and can live for over 100 years.

Alpine Gecko
This cold-tolerant gecko is uniquely adapted to survive in the alpine zones of the park. It is nocturnal, feeding on insects and small invertebrates, and its skin coloration helps it blend into rocky terrain.

Nelson Green Gecko
Bright green with striking gold and blue markings, this arboreal gecko is found in the forested regions of the park. It is highly agile, using its prehensile tail to move through branches while hunting for insects.

South Island Kōura (Freshwater Crayfish)
These small freshwater crustaceans inhabit the park’s streams and lakes, playing a vital role in the aquatic ecosystem by feeding on decaying plant matter and small organisms.

Nelson Lakes Giant Wētā
A large flightless insect, the giant wētā is a relic of New Zealand’s prehistoric past. It thrives in undisturbed forested areas, where it feeds on leaves and small insects.

Southern Bell Frog
An introduced species that has established populations in wetland areas, this frog is known for its loud, bell-like call. It is often seen near lakes and streams within the park.

Common Skink
These small, fast-moving reptiles are frequently spotted basking in the sun on rocky outcrops. They primarily feed on insects and help control local insect populations.

Powelliphanta Snail
These giant carnivorous snails are unique to New Zealand and can be found in the damp forest floors of Nelson Lakes National Park. Unlike typical snails, they feed on earthworms, using their powerful radula to consume prey.

Shortfin Eel
A key species in New Zealand’s freshwater ecosystems, the shortfin eel is found in the park’s lakes and rivers. It undertakes an incredible migration to the Pacific Ocean to spawn before returning to freshwater environments.

Birds

The diverse landscapes of Nelson Lakes National Park provide an important habitat for a wide array of native and endemic bird species. From deep beech forests to alpine meadows, the park is home to some of New Zealand’s most iconic birds.

Kea
The world’s only alpine parrot, the kea is highly intelligent and known for its mischievous nature. Found in the park’s higher elevations, it often interacts with visitors and is famous for its curiosity and problem-solving abilities.

South Island Kākā
A close relative of the kea, this forest parrot is known for its raucous calls and striking red and brown plumage. It is most active in the early morning and evening, searching for nectar, fruit, and insects.

Rifleman
New Zealand’s smallest bird, the rifleman is an energetic insect-eater that flits through the park’s beech forests. Its high-pitched call and rapid wing beats make it a delight to spot.

Tūī
Recognizable by its iridescent blue-green feathers and distinctive white throat tuft, the tūī is a vocal bird with a wide range of calls, mimicking other sounds in the forest. It thrives in forested areas, feeding on nectar and insects.

Bellbird
Another talented songbird, the bellbird is named for its melodic, bell-like song that echoes through the park’s forests. It plays a key role in pollination, feeding on nectar from native flowers.

New Zealand Falcon (Kārearea)
A powerful and agile predator, the kārearea is often seen soaring above open areas in search of prey. Unlike the more common harrier, this falcon is known for its speed and precision hunting skills.

Yellowhead (Mohua)
Once widespread but now rare due to habitat loss and predators, the mohua is a bright yellow songbird that thrives in the park’s mature beech forests. It forages in small flocks, searching for insects beneath the bark.

Fantail (Pīwakawaka)
Easily recognized by its fan-shaped tail and friendly behavior, the fantail flits energetically through the forest, catching insects midair. It is one of the most commonly seen birds in the park.

Great Spotted Kiwi
This nocturnal, flightless bird is one of New Zealand’s most iconic species. It is elusive but can be found in the dense forested areas of the park, where it uses its long beak to probe the soil for insects and worms.

Morepork (Ruru)
A small native owl, the morepork is named for its distinctive call, which echoes through the park’s forests at night. It is a stealthy predator, hunting insects and small mammals under the cover of darkness.