Features
View of Mount Fishtail as seen from the
summit of Mount Richmond, Richmond
Range
The Richmond Range, an irregular mountainous ridge with several rocky 'island' peaks rising above 1700 m, forms the backbone of the park, separating the north bank tributaries of the Wairau River from other river systems.
A number of lesser ridges lie along the western sector of the park separated by the major west-flowing rivers, the Waimea and Motueka, and the east-flowing Pelorus River.
The park has an interesting history, particularly of mining (gold and chrome) and timber milling. Maori occupation of the sheltered coastal sites around Nelson and Marlborough is well known. Maori use of the less accessible backcountry areas was probably limited to the use of tracks around the perimeter and the working of a number of argillite quarries within the park. Argillite is a very hard metamorphosed mudstone used by Maori to make tools and weapons.
Contacts