Mount Aspiring National Park
Find freedom and challenges in a wilderness of mountains. Named for Mt Aspiring, one of New Zealand's highest peaks, this park is a dreamland of mountains, glaciers, river valleys and alpine lakes. In the past, Maori trekked through the region on their way to the pounamu fields of the west coast; Europeans visited to map, name and explore geographical features of the area; settlers attempted to farm and mine some of the valleys - the relics have blended into the stunning scenery.
For wilderness lovers, the park offers an extensive choice of valley journeys - including the Routeburn Track. In summer, it's possible to walk from one valley to another over spectacular mountain passes.
In straddling the 'great divide' of the Southern Alps, the Mount Aspiring National Park presents a breathtaking range of landscapes. At its heart is a massive area of wilderness - glaciers, snowfields, mountains, valleys and wildlife habitats that require days of hiking to reach. To the west of the divide, where rainfall is plentiful, the beech forest comes with a sound track of birdsong and waterfalls. Deep in the glacier-gouged valleys of the east, grassy river flats are hemmed by imposing mountains. And above the tree line, subalpine gardens of tussock, lichens and dainty flowering herbs survive against all odds.
Rock forms are an unforgettable feature of the park. From the curiously coloured slopes of the Red Hills to the brittle grey schist of the alps, ice ages and huge tectonic upheavals have created beauty with a hard edge.
Summer is the best time to walk the 3-day Routeburn Track, which runs between Lake Wakatipu and the Te Anau-Milford Road. The Rees-Dart track, a 5-day tramping circuit, follows the Rees River and the Dart River through the southern end of the park. From Wanaka, popular short walks include the Aspiring Hut walk (1 ½ hours) and the Rob Roy track (1 ½ hours). Good short and long walks can also be accessed from Makarora.
Some of the park's rivers such as the Dart, the Wilkin, and the Matukituki River are navigable by jet boat. Often jet boat trips are combined with a valley walk, to create a well-rounded adventure.
The park provides mountaineers with a wide choice of ascents - from Mt Awful to Mt Aspiring. Local guiding companies provide instruction for would-be mountaineers. Exceptional heli-skiing can be found on the Northern Buchanans and Albertburn.
