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​

Kahurangi National Park

Kahurangi National Park is the country’s second largest national park. It was established in 1996 and is 4520km2 in area. Its pristine forest remains a place where the presence of ancient Gondwanaland…

Te Urewera

Te Urewera is the home to one of New Zealand’s greatest forests. Almost every bird species native to the North Island is to be found in this eastern pocket of lush bush and tucked away hidden amid the dense green growth is the stunning Lake Waikairemoana…

Tongariro National Park

Tongariro is an active land where fire challenges the idea that geological change is slow. The mountain is a stratovolcano that stands 1987 metres tall with 12 cones that frequently erupt. It is composed of layers of both lava and tephra…