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Hakatere Conservation Park

Canterbury region

Looking across the Swin River to the Taylor Range, Hakatere Conservation Park

Looking across the Swin River to the Taylor Range, Hakatere Conservation Park.

Map showing location of DOC's Canterbury region.

Hakatere Conservation Park covers nearly 60,000 hectares of rugged mountain country, tussocklands, beech forest and sparkling clear rivers and lakes between two mighty rivers the Rakaia and Rangitata.

The Nature Heritage Fund purchase of Hakatere Station in October 2007 added a further 9,000 hectares to the park, with more additions likely over the next few years as lands are surveyed or progressed through tenure review. The park has the potential to grow to become the largest conservation park in New Zealand.

Location

Hakatere Conservation Park is inland from the mid-Canterbury town of Ashburton, about 2 hours drive south of Christchurch, South Island.

Features

This remote alpine landscape, with its kettlehole wetlands, tussock grassland, beech forest and lakes and rivers, is home to many rare plants and animals.

Activities in Hakatere Conservation Park

The new park offers a vast range of recreational opportunities including boating, swimming, tramping, climbing, skiing, hunting, mountain biking, picnicking, camping, horse riding, and fishing.

Places to stay

There are a number of huts and bivouacs throughout the park, including the new Woolshed Creek Hut on the very popular Mt Somers Track.

Plan & prepare

Find out how to get to the Park and what you need to do to be well-equipped and prepared for your visit.

Highlights:

Guides and commercial tourism providers

Find businesses that are DOC-approved to provide activities and services in Hakatere Conservation Park.

LEARNZ virtual field trips

Find out how we brought Ō Tū Wharekai wetlands into schools across the country through our LEARNZ project.

Ō Tū Wharekai (Ashburton lakes/upper Rangitata River, Canterbury)

Ō Tū Wharekai is one of the best examples of an inter-montane wetland system remaining in New Zealand, and is nationally important for wildlife.

Find out more

Publications

Hakatere Conservation Park brochure and map (PDF, 1314K)

Weather

Maps

New Zealand topographic maps are available from DOC Visitor Centres

Learn more

Stop the spread of didymo

Check, Clean, Dry all items before entering, and when moving between, waterways.

Hakatere Conservation Park expands - media release

Decision reached on vehicle access at Lake Heron - media release

Safety

Follow the Outdoor Safety Code:
1. Plan your trip
2. Tell someone
3. Be aware of the weather
4. Know your limits
5. Take sufficient supplies

Contacts

Raukapuka Area Office
Phone:	+64 3 693 1010

Email:
Full office details

Christchurch Visitor Centre
Phone:	+64 3 341 9113
Address:	31 Nga Mahi Road Sockburn Christchurch 8042
Email:
Full office details