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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

New Zealand National Parks[edit]

National Park Location Info Details
Abel Tasman National Park Tasman Established: 1942
Area: 225 km²
• Contains the Abel Tasman Coast Track, one of New Zealand's Great Walks
• New Zealand's smallest National Park
• Popular spot for its scenic beaches and sea kayaking
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park Canterbury Established: 1953
Area: 707 km²
• Large portion of International Dark Sky Reserve (2012)
• Contains tallest mountain in New Zealand
• Part of Te Wahipounamu South Westland World Heritage Site
• Many tall mountains, huge glaciers, and stunning views
Arthur's Pass National Park Canterbury Established: 1929
Area: 1143 km²
• Crossed by the TranzAlpine railway
• Connects Canterbury to the east with the West Coast
• Located at the heart of the Southern Alps
Fiordland National Park Southland Established: 1952
Area: 12,500 km²
• New Zealand's largest National Park
• Contains three New Zealand Great Walks: Kepler Track, Milford Track, and Routeburn Track
• Significant part of Te Wahipounamu South Westland World Heritage Site
• Glacier-formed topography, including Mitre Peak, Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound, as well as diverse wildlife
Mount Aspiring National Park West Coast Established: 1964
Area: 3555 km²
• Contains the Great Walk Routeburn Track
• On the "great divide" of the Southern Alps
• Third largest National Park in New Zealand
• Formed through glaciation
• Film location for Isengard
Tongariro National Park Manawatu-Wanganui Established: 1887
Area: 796 km²
• Famous for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, part of the longer Tongariro Northern Circuit, a Great Walk
• Contains three volcanoes: Mount Tongariro, Mount Ngauruhoe, and Mount Ruapehu, all of great importance to the Maori
World Heritage Site (1990)
• Home to Whakapapa Village and ski fields
•Mordor, as well as other bits of Middle Earth
Westland Tai Poutini National Park West Coast Established: 1960
Area: 1175 km²
• Features Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier, which move up to four meters a day
• Abundant birds, including kea, kererū, and New Zealand fantail
• Lots of rain! Lovely green, lush vegetation