Nelson Lakes National Park

Nelson national park’s existence is directly dependent to the gigantic transformation caused by glaciers in the ice age producing the landscapes, the lakes Rotoiti and Rotoroa are descendants of the old shape of the glaciers.

In Maori mythology, chief Rakaihaitu digging holes in ground formed these lakes with Rotoiti (big waters) and Rotoroa (small waters). It is famous for its inspiring and magical honeydew beech forests, beautiful native birds and amazing landscapes.

Honeydew (a kind of melon) is the most abundant food grown here. The view of hundreds of honey dew melons shining due to intense sunlight is well worth seeing. It is synthesized by scale with insects who convert sugar from trees.

Honey dew is a good food for insects and birds, and so attracts them in huge numbers. The department of conservation is responsible for a pest free environment within the park and they are actively working on a balanced environment.

For accommodation purposes, “serviced”, “standard”, and “basic” huts are available to hikers by the same department. The serviced huts are provided with almost all facilities such as mattresses, heating, cooking, toilet, etc.

The standard huts have only mattresses, toilet, and water supplies. The standard hut provides limited facilities including shelter. However, motels, camping grounds, and lodges at ST.Arnaud (nearby village) and at Lake Rotoroa camp ground.

The major activates in the park are walking and hiking, trout fishing and snow skiing. The walkers can follow numerous tracks revealing beauties of the park. Lake Angelus and Travers-Sabine circuit leads to more remote lakes, and an alpine pass.

At Lake Rotoroa, an eighty year old fishing base, which is accessible by road, is famous for brown trout fishing. Snow skiing at rainbow ski field is quite a great adventure as it is usually done at night when non-members can also participate