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Mount Richmond Forest Park

Last Modified: 20-4-2023 12:10

Pine Valley Stream, Mount Richmond Forest Park
Pine Valley Stream, Mount Richmond Forest Park
© Christopher Cookson  License this image

Mount Richmond Forest Park is the second largest forest park in New Zealand at 166,000 hectares, including substantial beech forest and rugged mountain ranges. Larger than all but three of New Zealand's 13 national parks, it is named after Mount Richmond, a 1760m peak in the Richmond Range which forms the northern boundary of the Wairau Valley. The park was created in 1977.

The main entry points to the park are off the Northbank Road in Marlborough, at Onamalutu, Bartletts/Quartz Creek, Pine Valley, Top Valley, and the Goulter River. Acess is also possible from the Wakamarina Valley and from south of Nelson. Due to logging operations or weather events, various access points may be temporarily closed, sometimes for a number of months, so confirming available access points via the DOC website is always essential before visiting the park.

The park offers a range of recreation activities from short day walks and picnics to overnight or multi-day tramps, mountain biking, four wheel driving, and fly fishing. Part of Te Araroa Trail passes through the park. A network of  DOC huts are distributed throughout the park, with DOC's website listing 26 huts. All but one basic bivvy require pre-purchased hut tickets or a backcountry hut pass. None of the huts require bookings. A hut popular with families, due to its accessibility, the Pine Valley Hut was destroyed by fire in June 2014, and not replaced.

Lake Chalice, one of a handful of lakes in Marlborough, is located within the park.

Like all DOC reserves, drones are prohibited in the park unless with written permission from DOC. Dogs are permitted in most of the park with a free permit obtainable from DOC, however are not allowed inside huts.


 

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Cite this page

Mount Richmond Forest Park. (2023) Retrieved March, 19, 2024, from https://www.marlboroughonline.co.nz/marlborough/information/recreation/parks-and-reserves/mount-richmond-forest/

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