Hunter Mountains facts for kids
The Hunter Mountains are a cool mountain range in New Zealand, located near Lake Manapouri. These mountains got their name from a surveyor named James McKerrow. He named them after a famous doctor, John Hunter. The Hunter Mountains stretch out between the South Arm and Hope Arm of Lake Manapouri, all the way down to the Green Lake.
Mountain Peaks
The Hunter Mountains have many impressive peaks. Some of the well-known ones include Cone Peak, which is 1,495 meters (about 4,905 feet) tall, and Mount Moturau, standing at 1,497 meters (about 4,911 feet). Other tall peaks are Mount Crescent (1,639 meters or 5,377 feet) and Mt Burns (1,645 meters or 5,397 feet). Eldrig Peak reaches 1,695 meters (about 5,561 feet).
The highest named point is Mt Flat, which is 1,749 meters (about 5,738 feet) high. The very highest point in the range is an unnamed peak that reaches 1,804 meters (about 5,919 feet).
You can reach Mount Moturau by using the Bicycle Spur Track from Hope Arm. Mt Burns is also quite easy to get to using the Borland Saddle Road. This road was built in the 1960s through Fiordland National Park. It was originally made to help build the power lines for the Manapouri Hydroelectric Power Station. Today, the road is open for everyone to use during the summer months.
.jpg)
Animal Life
The Hunter Mountains are home to some unique animals. This section will tell you about some of the interesting creatures you might find here.
Giant Snails
In the Green Lake area of the Hunter Mountains, you can find giant snails known as Powelliphanta spedeni. These snails are much larger than the garden snails you might be used to seeing!
Skinks
A type of skink, called Oligosoma nigriplantare polychroma, lives in the tussock grasslands. These grasslands stretch from Lake Manapouri to Lake Monowai. Skinks are small lizards, and this species is related to the Chatham Islands skink.
Short Horned Grasshopper
The Short Horned Grasshopper, known scientifically as Alpinacris tumidicauda, can be found all over the Hunter Mountains. Grasshoppers are insects known for their powerful jumping legs.
Endemic Moth
An endemic moth species, Pyrgotis consentiens, also lives in the Hunter Mountains. "Endemic" means that this moth is found only in this specific area and nowhere else in the world!
