Eco Tourism

Hiking & walking, nature treks, eco tours and ecotourism - Ashburton, Mt Somers Conservation Area and Mount Hutt Conservation Area have it all!

Mountains, lakes, endangered birds, vast landscapes, rainforest, waterfalls, and braided rivers. Take a short walk to Sharplin Falls or Woolshed Creek and you will find yourself in a mountain beech forest surrounded by rata, filmy ferns, native orchids, honey dew, Bellbirds, Fantails, Tom Tits, Rifleman and New Zealand's native Wood Pigeon, the Kereru.

In contrast, drive inland from Mt Somers and visit the pristine lakes, which act as the main nesting area for the endangered Great Crested Grebe.

Lakes Heron, Emma, Camp, Clearwater and Maori Lakes also provide a fantastic chance to see New Zealand Scaup, Australian Coot, Black Swans and five species of duck.

A wide variety of alpine plants can also be found in their natural environments not far off the beaten track.

The Hakatere Conservation Park extends over some 50,000 hectares and will expand further in the future as new areas are added through land tenure changes. The park offers a range of recreational opportunities including swimming, boating, tramping, climbing, skiing, hunting, mountain biking, picnicking, camping, natural history appreciation, fossicking, horse riding and fishing.

The Mount Hutt Conservation Area is home to a fascinating variety including edelweiss, vegetable sheep, black cotula, alpine daisies and buttercup. Some great hiking and walking tracks can also be found around this fascinating area.

Professional guides are available for eco-tourism, bird-watching and photography tours.