Ahuriri Conservation Park

Ahuriri Conservation Park
Photograph of Ahuriri Valley, taken near Omarama
Ahuriri Valley, as viewed from Omarama
New Zealand relief map
New Zealand relief map
Ahuriri Conservation Park
LocationCanterbury Region, New Zealand
Nearest cityChristchurch
Coordinates44°20′S 169°40′E / 44.333°S 169.667°E / -44.333; 169.667
Area49 hectares (120 acres)
Established2004
Governing bodyDepartment of Conservation

Ahuriri Conservation Park is a protected area of 49,000 hectares including tussock grasslands, forest, and river habitat, located in Canterbury, South Island, New Zealand, and centred around the headwaters of the Ahuriri River.[1][2]

The park includes trails and huts.[3][4][5] The mountains, forests, tussock lands and river valleys are used for tramping, fishing kayaking, horse riding and hunting.[6]

Both the park and neighbouring Ben Avon Station are located near the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, a dark-sky reserve, and are used for astronomy.[7]

The town is serviced by the tourist town of Omarama.[8][9]

  1. ^ "Speech: Opening of Ahuriri Conservation Park". The Beehive. New Zealand: Government of New Zealand. Retrieved 2019-09-15.
  2. ^ "Ahuriri hunting block". National Library of New Zealand. Retrieved 2019-09-15.
  3. ^ "Ahuriri Conservation Park". www.doc.govt.nz. Government of New Zealand.
  4. ^ "Ahuriri Conservation Park" (PDF). New Zealand: Government of New Zealand.
  5. ^ "Ahuriri Conservation Park: Discover Omarama". Retrieved 2019-09-15.
  6. ^ Thornber, Lorna (28 July 2021). "NZ's top winter towns: Where to go in August for a last-minute escape". stuff.co.nz. Stuff Travel.
  7. ^ Wallace, Sue (1 October 2020). "Dark skies and designer lodges in the Ahuriri Valley". New Zealand Media and Entertainment. New Zealand Herald.
  8. ^ Waterworth, Kerrie (25 November 2020). "A quieter time for Omarama this year". Allied Press. Otago Daily Times.
  9. ^ Editorial (24 May 2018). "Omarama at a crossroads". Allied Press. Otago Daily Times.