Haven For Outdoor Recreation

Nelson Lakes National Park

Image © Shellie Evans

Haven For Outdoor Recreation

Nelson Lakes National Park was established in 1952 and as its name suggests has many lakes both big and small. The crystal clear waters of the deep lakes at this northern tip of the South Island of New Zealand reflect the immense mountain and forest scenery around them. Lake Rotoiti is a favourite place and offers hiking and mountaineering. Many of the first successful climbs of the park’s highest peaks were made by weekend adventurers from Wellington.

VIRTUAL TOUR

VIEW ON GOOGLE TOUR

PARK STORIES

Eel

Thriving within the lakes of Nelson Lakes National Park is the longfin eel. The eel was an important food source for Maori. It is also a creature shrouded in mystery. In Maori culture the supernatural creature known as Taniwha is often said to be embodied in the form of the longfin eel. Eel attacks on humans have long
been reported.

Image © Jon Sullivan

Trout

European settlers stocked many of New Zealand’s rivers with trout for the purpose of sport fishing, which very quickly became a popular past time. Today trout is the only introduced animals to be legally protected within National Parks, so that they are not over-fished. Many of the rivers in Nelson Lakes National Park are stocked with trout, providing locals and visitors alike with opportunities to fish.

Image © David Lambroughton, Tourism New Zealand

Didymo

A severe ecological threats to New Zealand rivers is Didymo, an exotic algal growth that clogs waterways. Once it is established it is almost impossible to remove. People using waterways, including fishers, boaters and kayakers, are required to clean any clothing or equipment they use to stop the spread of Didymo to other rivers and lakes.

Images © Fabio Salani (left), Reinderw (right)

previous arrow
next arrow
Slider

EXPLORE OTHER NATIONAL PARKS​

Nelson Lakes National Park

Nelson Lakes National Park was established in 1952 and as its name suggests has many lakes both big and small. The crystal clear waters of the deep lakes at this northern tip of the South Island of New Zealand reflect the immense mountain…

Arthur’s Pass National Park

Arthur’s Pass National Park is located in the heart of the South Island with an active alpine fault immediately below. It is nestled in an environment formed by those tectonic forces that pushed the earth up millions of years ago…

Paparoa National Park

Paparoa National Park on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island bridges the gap between seascape and landscape. Where the park ends a marine reserve begins, demonstrating the interconnectedness…