Mount Owen

Experience The Best of Nature At Mount Owen

Mount Owen, located in the Tasman district, South Island, is 1,875 meters tall and features the longest cave system in the entire New Zealand. To be a little more precise, the Mount Owen is the largest peak of the Marino mountain ranges, which is further a part of the Kahurangi National Park.

The Owen plateau is classified as the finest examples of glacial karst in the Southern Hemisphere and it is this marble karst area which houses a number of caves, including the Bulmer Cavern- which as already hinted above, is the longest cave system in New Zealand, with a length of 64 kilometers.

Mount Owen Hiking Tracks

Well-nigh all the accessible trails to Mount Owen, are rough and steep. But the best part of the track is undoubtedly the Granity Pass. A guided trail through the pass generally takes two days, with overnight staying facilities arranged at the Granity Pass Hut. Visitors can cross the path at any time of the year, but a little more care and attention are required in the winters, as snow hiding sinkholes become a common occurrence during this season.

Once you reach the top of Mount Owen, you will be surprised to find that this area features the most versatile varieties of alpine flora in New Zealand. Nonetheless, you will also have encounters with a number of rare bird species such as Rock Wren, Kea, Kaka, and Falcon.

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