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New Zealand
> Nelson - Westland > Murchison
The town of Murchison (pop 750) is near the junction
of the Matakitaki and Buller Rivers, surrounded by
rugged mountain ranges, and is situated on the Buller Gorge
Heritage Highway some 125km south of Nelson and
300kms northwest of Christchurch.
The town was
founded on gold and saw milling and is now an
important service centre for the traveling public as
well as the local farming, forestry
and recreation community.
In 1929 ten people
died during the Murchison earthquake and the
Murchison Museum has a special display about this
disaster. In the quake the settlement was lifted
almost half a metre, and the Murchison falls were
formed, (just off the Sanandoah highway).
Recreational Activities include:
 Fishing with a wide range of outstanding
rivers and streams well stocked with brown trout with
rainbow trout a possibility in the upper Maruia
River.
Hunters will find Red Deer and Chamois on the tops
and remote valleys, while in lower valleys, wild pigs
are plentiful and small game can be found, (hares,
opossums & ducks in season). Permits are
required, and hunting competitions are sometimes held
for some species.
The Buller River and its tributaries offer
breathtaking experiences for skilled canoeists and
kayaking for family fun with rafting from grades 2 to
5.
There are many tramping and climbing opportunities
from the easy valley walks or more strenuous climbs to
the rugged tops. The Nelson Lakes region, the
Matakitaki Valley and the Matiri ranges are the more
popular walking areas which now have improved services
and access to the Kahurangi National Park. There are
a pleasant and interesting variety of bush walks are
to be found within a short distance of the township,
from 20 minutes to two hours, where you can see some
of the history, flora and fauna of the region.
Gold Panning is an activity as old as
the township itself - a relaxing way to spend a few
hours on the river bank. (There are several
commercial mining operations still working in the
area, but not open to the public).
You will also find
a nine hole golf course, a tennis and a squash club,
hire mountain bikes, go bowling, take a 4WD
adventure, go caving, (the Mount Owen region has some
of the largest systems of underground caves in the
Southern Hemisphere).
There are a few motels, backpackers and
a camping ground and several cafe's and a petrol
station with good Accommodation at St Arnaud, the base to
explore Nelson Lakes National Park.
Getting there:
Drive from Westport, Nelson or
Christchurch. Drivers Guide
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