Braeburn Range
Encyclopedia
The Braeburn Range is a mountain range in the Tasman Region of New Zealand
's South Island. It lies to the west of Lake Rotoroa and much of the eastern flank of the range is within the Nelson Lakes National Park
. The range runs south-southeast, with a westwards curve at the northern end and several westward-trending spurs.
The northernmost and highest peak of the range is the 1469 metres (4,819.6 ft) Mount Murchison
overlooking the Buller River
. The southern endpoint of the range is Mount Hutton (1400 metres (4,593.2 ft)) above the Tiraumea Saddle. The higher Ella Range lies to the south. Other peaks include Mount Pickering (1249 metres (4,097.8 ft)), Mount Cotton (1256 metres (4,120.7 ft)), Mount Baring (1127 metres (3,697.5 ft)), and Twins (1152 metres (3,779.5 ft)). The bush line is around 1350 metres (4,429.1 ft) in this area, so only the two highest peaks are not covered in bush. There is a radio and television transmission mast on top of Mount Murchison.
The area above the bush line on Mount Murchison is one of three isolated habitats for an as-yet unnamed species of large alpine
carnivorous land snail
, currently known as Powelliphanta "Nelson Lakes". Living beneath tussocks and mountain flax, these snails have survived summer grazing by sheep and cattle in the past. Pigs are still considered a threat. A more widespread variety, Powelliphanta "Matakitaki" is found in bush above 1200 metres south of Mount Murchison.
The area is popular for hunting, with red deer, pigs, chamois and goats to be found. The range is crossed by one track navigable by four-wheel-drive vehicles, the Braeburn Track, which connects the outlet of Lake Rotoroa with the upper Mangles River
valley via a saddle at 650 metres (2,132.5 ft). The Tiraumea tramping track
crosses the saddle at the southern end of the range, following the Tiraumea River
.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
's South Island. It lies to the west of Lake Rotoroa and much of the eastern flank of the range is within the Nelson Lakes National Park
Nelson Lakes National Park
Nelson Lakes National Park is located in the South Island of New Zealand.It was formed in 1956 and covers some 1,020 km². It is centered at two large lakes, Rotoiti and Rotoroa. The park also includes surrounding valleys and mountain ranges...
. The range runs south-southeast, with a westwards curve at the northern end and several westward-trending spurs.
The northernmost and highest peak of the range is the 1469 metres (4,819.6 ft) Mount Murchison
Mount Murchison
Mount Murchison may refer to:In Antarctica* Mount Murchison , Antarctica* Mount Murchison , the highest peak in the Mountaineer Range, AntarcticaIn Australia* Mount Murchison In Canada* Mount Murchison...
overlooking the Buller River
Buller River
The Buller River is in the South Island of New Zealand. One of the country's longest rivers, it flows for 170 kilometres from Lake Rotoiti through the Buller Gorge and into the Tasman Sea near the town of Westport...
. The southern endpoint of the range is Mount Hutton (1400 metres (4,593.2 ft)) above the Tiraumea Saddle. The higher Ella Range lies to the south. Other peaks include Mount Pickering (1249 metres (4,097.8 ft)), Mount Cotton (1256 metres (4,120.7 ft)), Mount Baring (1127 metres (3,697.5 ft)), and Twins (1152 metres (3,779.5 ft)). The bush line is around 1350 metres (4,429.1 ft) in this area, so only the two highest peaks are not covered in bush. There is a radio and television transmission mast on top of Mount Murchison.
The area above the bush line on Mount Murchison is one of three isolated habitats for an as-yet unnamed species of large alpine
Alpine
The term alpine refers to the Alps, a European mountain range.Alpine may also refer to:- Geography and geology :* Alpine tundra, the biological community that occurs above the tree line at high altitude...
carnivorous land snail
Land snail
A land snail is any of the many species of snail that live on land, as opposed to those that live in salt water and fresh water. Land snails are terrestrial gastropod mollusks that have shells, It is not always an easy matter to say which species are terrestrial, because some are more or less...
, currently known as Powelliphanta "Nelson Lakes". Living beneath tussocks and mountain flax, these snails have survived summer grazing by sheep and cattle in the past. Pigs are still considered a threat. A more widespread variety, Powelliphanta "Matakitaki" is found in bush above 1200 metres south of Mount Murchison.
The area is popular for hunting, with red deer, pigs, chamois and goats to be found. The range is crossed by one track navigable by four-wheel-drive vehicles, the Braeburn Track, which connects the outlet of Lake Rotoroa with the upper Mangles River
Mangles River
The Mangles River is in the South Island of New Zealand. It feeds into the Buller River near the town of Murchison. The river is popular destination for kayaking....
valley via a saddle at 650 metres (2,132.5 ft). The Tiraumea tramping track
New Zealand tramping tracks
In New Zealand, long distance walking or hiking for at least one overnight stay is known as tramping. There are a number of walkways in New Zealand, however most of these are relatively short and can be walked in a day or less. Many are also an easy walk, with well formed footpaths...
crosses the saddle at the southern end of the range, following the Tiraumea River
Tiraumea River (Tasman)
The Tiraumea River is a river of the Tasman Region of New Zealand's South Island. The river has its source on the slopes of Mount Hutton at the southern end of the Braeburn Range, and runs northwest from the Tiraumea Saddle . It reaches the Tutaki River 10 kilometres southeast of Murchison. The...
.