Embassy, wellington tongariro, new zealands oldest national park, has been chosen as the site for a celebration to mark a century of u. Its name derives from its location just outside the boundary of tongariro national park, new zealands first national park, and its only national park from its creation in 1887 until 1900. I use our local national parks very very frequently and would like to see charges to use them. The national parks of new zealand are protected areas administered by the department of. The beautifully manicured gardens and memorial are a tribute to michael joseph savage, new zealands first labour prime minister. We will provide an overview of the character, striking features and wildlife of each park, and will outline the major walking and tramping tracks. Kaka and other threatened native birds and wildlife are thriving due to tiakina nga manu the largest ever predator control programme in docs history, the minister of conservation. Thankfully weve pulled together a list of our top 5 national parks in new zealand for you to check out and get planning. There are all kinds of national parks in new zealand. The abel tasman is quite simply paradise and new zealands only coastal national park. New zealand is also home to dense undergrowth of shrubs and ferns, lichens and herbs.
New zealand offers vast areas of natural heritage full of wildlife and the natural flora and fauna of new zealand for exploration. New zealand national parks 6 of the best national parks in new zealand and the rest. Visit the nts 24 national parks, and 73 nature reserves, conservation areas, historical reserves and marine parks to see the important heritage and natural environments and native plants and animals they protect. Investigation of proposals to add to parks or establish new parks. They are administered under legislation designed for the purpose of preserving in perpetuity as national parks, for the benefit and enjoyment of the public, areas of new zealand that contain scenery of such distinctive quality or natural features so beautiful or. Some people wanted to set up national parks to preserve beautiful scenery, and to save native plants and animals. New zealand has amazing national parks so picking which ones to explore is. Come summer or winter, the two national parks on its doorstep are major drawcards. The abel tasman national park is an easilyaccessible coastal paradise. How many car parks there are looked like about 5 in sections up the mountain and you can drop off people at the top and go down to park the distance to walk we walked a few. At that time in new zealand, the native forest was being cleared for farms. The institute of public works engineering australasia has released the parks management. Tongariro national park department of conservation.
Long stretches of deserted golden beaches, turquoise clear waters. The north islands tongariro national park, for example, is a world heritage area of natural and cultural significance, while in the south island the four national parks in westland, aoraki mount cook, fiordland and mount aspiring form another world heritage site. Fmc travel club we exist to provide members with the opportunity to join a small group of likeminded travellers to enjoy a tramping based holiday overseas, while also supporting fmc. This is how the author of the book mountains of water the story of fiordland national park described this stunning national park. This site is produced by the research and publishing group of the new zealand ministry for culture and heritage. Explore national parks, national wildlife refuges, and fish hatcheries to have safe and enjoyable fishing trips. New zealand holiday parks and campgrounds are equipped to please a wide range of people for a minimal cost and most have attractive landscaped settings, often beside a beach or lake. Although the national parks contain some of new zealands most beautiful scenery, the first few established were all focused on mountain scenery. Entry fees to our national parks and scenic wonders. A short drive or scenic walk along the waterfront from downtown auckland, this park is the spot for gorgeous views across the harbour and out into the hauraki gulf. You can choose to explore the park from land, on the water, or in the air, with tour operators aplenty offering cruises, water taxi services, kayaking options, helitours and sailing catamarans. This change has since been confusing, as there are many national parks in new zealand. New zealands national parks are treasured with countrys most unique and diverse landscapes.
New zealand parks, gardens and reserves highlights. What are the must visit national parks in new zealand and why. Plan, share, relive or imagine your time in new zealand nature better. Visit new zealands national parks if youve ever seen amazing photos of new zealand beauty and wondered if it was real, chances are it was taken in one of our national parks. Aorakimt cook national park is new zealands great alpine national park. Tours featuring visits to new zealands national parks. The new zealand national parks contain some of the most beautiful places on earth, and provide opportunities for adventure and enjoyment that will appeal to people of all ages. The proposed national park links four district councils, traverses or neighbours many iconic highcountry stations and is the treasured hinterland of many communities.
National parks are central to both tourism in new zealand itself and to its tourist image. New zealand has 14 main national parks which cover more than 30,000 sq kilometres as well as many regional parks which you can access for recreational purposes. Tongariro is new zealands oldest national park and a dual world heritage area. See new zealands highest mountain right up close and take the flight of your life over the glaciers in our national parks. While focusing on tramping, there are normally walking and sightseeing opportunities included as we travel through an area. Below the map there are brief descriptions of all the parks with links to further information about each national park in nz along with activities and attractions. The town is a convenient setting off point for adventures in whanganui national park, including canoe trips on its mighty river and rides on the mountains to sea cycle trail. Take in the views from a rugged clifftop or settle in for a picnic on a goldensand beach.
Until the 1940s, new zealands national parks were managed as places for recreation and tourism. Arthurs pass national park is a mountaineering mecca, offering a huge choice of classic climbing routes, including specialised challenges for ice climbers and rock climbers. Your visit to aotearoa will be incomplete without visits to our famous new zealand national parks and encounters with the natural wonders they contain. Great value holiday parks offering a huge variety of accommodation options at 41 beautiful locations throughout new zealand. New zealand national parks and wildlife, guided tours and. Trails range from 15minute scenic walks to demanding multiday hikes, ice or mountain climbs you need to don a pair of hiking boots to explore. Plan, share, relive, imagine your time in new zealand nature better. These vast wilderness areas are home to new zealands most breathtaking scenery from lush rainforests to rugged alpine passes, our national parks represent the very best of new zealands landscape. Everyone must stay at home and put recreation on hold. Enjoy the majestic scenery of the south island, try or watch.
Find businesses that are docapproved to provide activities and services in conservation areas. Stroll across rolling grasslands or trek through dense native rainforest. New zealands gardeners and conservationists are famous for their energy and perfectionism. New zealands 14 national parks cherish stunning landscapes and natural vistas from forests to wildlife and glaciers to beaches, everything inspires, excites and captivates visitors. Fiordland national park destination fiordland, te anau, nz. Established in 1952, fiordland national park is now over 1. There are numerous regional parks to enjoy but the main national parks are the ones ill focus on plus an additional one which is actually the largest national park in new zealand. This guide to national parks compiled by new zealands information network as a means of introducing you to our top natural attractions. The worlds first national park was yellowstone, set up in the united states in 1872. More than onethird of new zealands land area is protected in reserves or regional and national parks. National parks engage communities through recreation, conservation, historic and cultural preservation. We have created a booklet that is filled with information on the national parks. Spend time in new zealands national parks and youll begin to understand the soul of this place. Though every park offers something different, but alike, they represent the best of new zealands natural beauty.
Constitution of other national parks and addition of land to national parks. Visit new zealands national parks moatrek nz tours. Photographer accidentally runs afoul of conservation. National park access charges otago daily times online news. This activity is from the aorakimt cook kiwi ranger booklet but could be done anywhere. National parks 1966 encyclopaedia of new zealand te ara. New zealands national parks cover more than 30,000 square kilometres, full to the brim with beautiful, natural scenery ready to explore. The nt is the only australian state with two world heritagelisted national parks. The national parks of new zealand are protected areas administered by the department of conservation doc.
The remarkables national park campaign, launched in june 2017, seeks to. Shu itos like no other booklet included photos he took as a hobby while walking in egmont national park. New zealands national parks are a spectacular collection of wilderness areas. New zealands national parks are vast protected areas of our natural heritage, forest, wildlife and landscapes and are largely untouched by man.
Beautiful places and created spaces let you enjoy nature, culture or the fruits of somebody elses obsession. The remarkables national park campaign was launched in june 2017. Would be nice to have annual use tickets for nz residents and frequent users, and a locals rate. National parks nzhistory, new zealand history online. This status recognises the parks important maori cultural and spiritual associations as well as its outstanding volcanic features.
Our national parks are treasured and preserve our natural heritage, forests, wildlife and landscapes, close to if not exactly, as it was before people arrived here. Inventories, condition, and performance grading practice note 10. Overcrowding a growing issue in new zealands national parks. All text is licensed under the creative commons attributionnoncommercial 3. New zealand national parks regional walking and tramping. National park jobs in new zealand 200 vacancies jora.
Covering 72,164 hectares, it contains 19 peaks along the eastern side of the southern alps, including new zealands highest mountain, aorakimt cook 3,754 metres and nearby mt tasman 3,498 metres. Arthurs pass national park christchurch new zealand. In the early 20th century, axis and red deer were released in tongariro national park and wapiti in fiordland to provide sport for hunters. There are national parks and they feature 12,000 kilometres of walking tracks and 1,000 huts for overnight stays. Kiwi ranger is found at several places such as arthurs pass, mt aspiring, paparoa and nelson lakes national park, orokonui ecosanctuary in dunedin and denniston historic reserve, with more being created. National park, new zealands first national park photo. Explore national parks northern territory, australia. Aucklands parks are the perfect way to discover the diversity and beauty of our landscapes. Key tips before you embark on a walk, let someone responsible know where you are going, and when you intend to return. More specifically, new zealands 14 national parks cover almost 12% of the country.
New zealand national parks costs to visitpasses fodor. New zealand parks and gardens, parks and reserves new zealand. Ten national parks have been constituted in new zealand, covering 5,019,388 acres, onethirteenth of the countrys land area. General policy for national parks department of conservation. Detailed virtual tours of new zealands national park day walks. Right from the vistas of volcanic landscapes to canoeing your way to spot rare. Map showing stewart islandrakiura, new zealand and halfmoon bay oban. Tane mahuta is the giant of waipoua forest, and the giant of new zealand a massive, inspiring link with history just a 5 minute walk along an elevated track from the highway that anyone can navigate with easy ev.
Get reeled into fishing with the new junior ranger lets go fishing. The national parks map shows where all the parks are located in the north and south islands. Guided tours to see new zealand penguins, seals, albatross and native birds. Apr 25, 2017 new zealand has miles and miles of lush evergreen forests such as the giant kauri and podocarp. They contain everything from volcanic plateaus, to snowcapped mountains, white sand beaches and native bush. New zealands national parks contain some of our most treasured wilderness areas. Guided day trips in our national parks and coastal sanctuaries.
Trails range from 15minute scenic walks to demanding multiday hikes, ice or mountain climbs you need to don a pair of hiking boots to explore some of the most pristine corners of new zealand. New zealand has miles and miles of lush evergreen forests such as the giant kauri and podocarp. Some tourists do pay doc, through the services of national park concessionaires should they use them, and it should be pointed out tourists yield substantial gst. National parks in new zealand things to see and do in new. Expect to see more stories in the media, and more of the incredible secrets of this place revealed. In 1926 the new zealand railways renamed the railway station as national park. All nontext content is subject to specific conditions. One major practical quandary of charging will be distinguishing between tourists and locals. One is tongariro national park, the other comprises parts of westland, fiordland, mount cook and mount aspiring national parks. Increased environmental concerns in new zealand have led to the establishment of national parks to protect its biodiversity.
New zealand is in a covid19 level 4 state of emergency. National park is a small town on the north island central plateau in new zealand. New zealand national parks a complete guide new zealand. Around 30% of the entire countrys area is made up of national parks and other protected areas, that means these areas are protected by laws making it really hard to. Great savings on hotels in national park, new zealand online. National parks new zealand main national parks of nz. Visit the otago peninsula, stewart island, the catlins, abel tasman, fiordland and other bird sanctuaries.