Braeburn Range facts for kids

The Braeburn Range is a mountain range in the Tasman Region of New Zealand. It is located on the South Island. This range lies to the west of Lake Rotoroa. A large part of its eastern side is inside the Nelson Lakes National Park. The range stretches from the northwest to the southeast. It also has some parts that curve towards the west.

High Peaks of the Braeburn Range

The tallest point in the Braeburn Range is Mount Murchison. It stands at 1,469 meters (4,819 feet) high. This peak is at the northern end of the range. From Mount Murchison, you can see the Buller River.

At the southern end of the range is Mount Hutton, which is 1,400 meters (4,593 feet) tall. The even higher Ella Range is located further south. Other important peaks in the Braeburn Range include:

• Mount Pickering (1,249 meters or 4,098 feet)
• Mount Cotton (1,256 meters or 4,121 feet)
• Mount Baring (1,127 meters or 3,698 feet)
• Twins (1,152 meters or 3,780 feet)

The bush line in this area is around 1,350 meters (4,429 feet). The bush line is the elevation where trees stop growing. This is usually because it gets too cold or windy higher up. So, only Mount Murchison and Mount Hutton are tall enough to have areas above the trees. There is also a radio and television tower on top of Mount Murchison.

Special Wildlife and Plants

The area above the bush line on Mount Murchison is home to a very special animal. It is a large land snail known as Powelliphanta "Nelson Lakes". This snail is a carnivore, meaning it eats other small creatures. It lives under plants like tussocks and mountain flax. These snails have survived even when sheep and cattle grazed in the area. However, wild pigs are still a danger to them.

Another type of snail, Powelliphanta "Matakitaki", lives in the bush south of Mount Murchison. You can find it above 1,200 meters (3,937 feet).

The Braeburn Range is also the only known home for a small plant called Veronica societatis. This grassland hebe was first found by members of the Nelson Botanical Society in 2002. It was named after their society.

Fun Activities in the Range

The Braeburn Range is a popular place for outdoor activities.

Hunting

Many people enjoy hunting here. You can find animals like red deer, pigs, chamois, and goats in the range.

Tracks and Trails

There is one main track that you can drive on with a four-wheel-drive vehicle. It is called the Braeburn Track. This track connects the outlet of Lake Rotoroa with the upper Mangles River valley. It goes over a saddle that is 650 meters (2,133 feet) high.

Another popular path is the Tiraumea tramping track. This track crosses a saddle at the southern end of the range. It follows the Tiraumea River. Tramping is a New Zealand term for hiking or trekking.