Nelson Lakes National Park Beech Forest Walk
Explore the pristine beech forests and mountain lakes of Nelson Lakes National Park — a 2-hour drive from the city, but another world entirely.
- 1
St Arnaud Village
The gateway village to Nelson Lakes National Park sits at the end of Lake Rotoiti — a small alpine community surrounded by mountains and native forest.
- 2
Lake Rotoiti Shore Walk
The shore of Lake Rotoiti is one of the finest walks in the park — beech forest meets the clear glacial lake, and the reflections of the mountains are perfect.
- 3
Kerr Bay Picnic Area
The park's main picnic area has direct lake access for swimming and kayaking — the water is cold, clear, and fed by snow melt from the surrounding ranges.
- 4
Honeydew Beech Forest
The beech forest at Nelson Lakes is famous for its honeydew ecosystem — scale insects on beech trees produce honeydew that feeds native birds and insects.
- 5
Black Hill Track
A climb through red beech forest to an alpine tarn reveals the Southern Alps stretching north and south — a glimpse of New Zealand's mountain backbone.
- 6
Lake Rotoroa Viewpoint
The second of Nelson Lakes' two major lakes is even more remote — its shores are barely touched by tourism, a perfect wilderness for those who want solitude.