Mt Arthur (Wharepapa) is one of the highest points on the Arthur Range (1795 m) and forms part of the iconic skyline on Nelson’s western horizon. Protected within Kahurangi National Park, Mt Arthur and the neighboring Twins (1796 m and 1809 m) comprise fascinating karst landscapes, with glacially-molded cirques, spectacular outcrops of ancient marble, and rolling tussock ridges. The mountain is riddled with caves and sinkholes, and is the location of New Zealand’s deepest cave systems (Nettlebed and Ellis Basin), the exploration of which are ongoing. The mountain and wider area contain rare and nationally-significant ecosystems, which are home to a high number of threatened endemic species. Mt Arthur is named after Captain Arthur Wakefield, who played a significant role in the European settlement of Nelson, though it was known as Wharepapa to local Maori, due to its flat summit resembling the roof of a meeting house. Mt Arthur and the surrounding ridges and valleys are dissected by a network of tracks that are high popular among day walkers and overnight trampers.
Mt Arthur
Walking and trail running
Lodestone
Walking
Gordon’s Pyramid and Cloustons Mine
Walking and trail running
Salisbury Lodge and the Tableland
Walking and trail running
Asbestos Cottage and Barron Flat
Walking, trail running and MTB
Leslie-Karamea Track
Walking
1 hr from Nelson
Flora car park is the starting point for Mt Arthur Track, Lodestone, and multi-day tramps to the Tableland, Cobb Valley, and Leslie-Karamea Track. Flora car park is located at 930 m elevation, at the end of Graham Valley Road, southwest of Motueka. Graham Valley Road begins off Motueka River West Bank Road near Ngatimoti, and is approximately 65 km from Nelson and 21 km from Motueka. The car park is located 10 km up Graham Valley Road, at the road end. Be aware that Graham Valley Road is steep and unsealed, and can be icy and snowy in winter. A 4WD vehicle is recommended, especially in winter. The road is also prone to slips, so check DOC Alerts webpage for road access updates. All tracks on Mt Arthur are located entirely within Kahurangi National Park.
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Mt Arthur (Wharepapa) is one of the highest points on the Arthur Range (1795 m) and forms part of the iconic skyline on Nelson’s western horizon. Protected within Kahurangi National Park, Mt Arthur and the neighboring Twins (1796 m and 1809 m) comprise fascinating karst landscapes, with glacially-molded cirques, spectacular outcrops of ancient marble, and rolling tussock ridges. The mountain is riddled with caves and sinkholes, and is the location of New Zealand’s deepest cave systems (Nettlebed and Ellis Basin), the exploration of which are ongoing. The mountain and wider area contain rare and nationally-significant ecosystems, which are home to a high number of threatened endemic species. Mt Arthur is named after Captain Arthur Wakefield, who played a significant role in the European settlement of Nelson, though it was known as Wharepapa to local Maori, due to its flat summit resembling the roof of a meeting house. Mt Arthur and the surrounding ridges and valleys are dissected by a network of tracks that are high popular among day walkers and overnight trampers.
1 hr from Nelson
Flora car park is the starting point for Mt Arthur Track. Flora car park is located at 930 m elevation, at the end of Graham Valley Road, southwest of Motueka. Graham Valley Road begins off Motueka River West Bank Road near Ngatimoti, and is approximately 65 km from Nelson and 21 km from Motueka. The car park is located 10 km up Graham Valley Road, at the road end. Be aware that Graham Valley Road is steep and unsealed, and can be icy and snowy in winter. A 4WD vehicle is recommended, especially in winter. The road is also prone to slips, so check DOC Alerts webpage for road access updates. All tracks on Mt Arthur are located entirely within Kahurangi National Park.
Mt Arthur Hut is located at the end of Mt Arthur Track. One of the most popular destinations in Kahurangi National Park, the hut is great as a day walk or an easy overnight tramp from Flora car park, and is perfectly located just below the tree line.
| Details | |
| Distances (to Mt Arthur Hut) | 4 km from Flora car park; 2.8 km from Flora Hut; 8.7 km from Salisbury Lodge (via Gordon’s Pyramid); 6.4 km from Ellis Basin Hut |
| Time Required (to Mt Arthur Hut) | 1 hr 20 min from Flora car park; 1 hr from Flora Hut |
| Trail Type | Walking track |
| Physical Difficulty | Moderate |
| Uses | Walking and trail running |
| Direction | Either |
| Start Elevation | 930 m (Flora car park) |
| Max Elevation | 1300 m |
| Dog Access | Dogs are prohibited in Kahurangi National Park |
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1 hr from Nelson
Flora car park is the starting point for Mt Arthur Track. Flora car park is located at 930 m elevation, at the end of Graham Valley Road, southwest of Motueka. Graham Valley Road begins off Motueka River West Bank Road near Ngatimoti, and is approximately 65 km from Nelson and 21 km from Motueka. The car park is located 10 km up Graham Valley Road, at the road end. Be aware that Graham Valley Road is steep and unsealed, and can be icy and snowy in winter. A 4WD vehicle is recommended, especially in winter. The road is also prone to slips, so check DOC Alerts webpage for road access updates. All tracks on Mt Arthur are located entirely within Kahurangi National Park.
Begin by following the 4WD Road (Flora Track) from Flora car park. This will take you to Flora Saddle (975 m), where Mt Arthur Track forks to the left. The well-graded track has a gentle gradient as it climbs onto a ridge in a southwest direction, and soon enters a notable stand of dracophyllum traversii along the top of the ridge. The track steepens a little and winds up through tall, elegant silver beech trees. You will reach Mt Arthur Hut after around 1 hr 20 min. The hut is located just below the tree line, at 1300 m. There are great views of Tasman Bay and the Arthur Range from just uphill of the hut.
Mt Arthur Hut is popular given its easy access. It is not a large hut, so do not be surprised to find it full. There is space for only a couple of tents outside, though you can also erect tent flies among the trees just downhill of the hut.
| Mt Arthur Hut | |
| Hut Type | Serviced Hut |
| Capacity | 8 bunks |
| Bookings | Not required; first in, first served |
| Fee | 1 Serviced Hut Ticket |
| Facilities | Woodburner, mattresses, limited space for tents outside |
| Altitude | 1300 m |
On the return leg, you can retrace you steps back the way you came. Alternatively, you can return via Flora Hut. For the latter option, continue just uphill of the Mt Arthur Hut to a track junction, where you can turn off to Flora Hut. It is 2.8 km to Flora Hut and downhill most of the way. The first kilometre passes through tussock, which allows good views of Mt Arthur and Gordon’s Pyramid. The track then enters beech forest, through which it continues for the remainder of the decent to Flora Hut. The track is tramping grade and is certainly more challenging than Mt Arthur Track, so it would be wise to wear decent outdoor footwear if you intend to do this circuit. Once at Flora Hut, head back along the 4WD road for 2 km back to Flora car park.
Be sure to indicate your intended route in the visitor book at Flora Kiosk. Mt Arthur Track reaches a high elevation and is exposed above the tree line, so proper outdoor clothing is essential. Check the alpine weather forecast before you go. Do not rely on weather forecasts for the nearest town, Motueka, as the alpine weather may be drastically different. Summer, or snow-free trips are relatively straight-forward, though winter trips are a more serious undertaking.
Mobile phone coverage is possible at Flora car park and above the tree line on Mt Arthur, though it is intermittent at best throughout the remainder of the area.
See the Mountain Safety Council website for useful information on preparing for the outdoors.
Mt Arthur Hut is located at the end of Mt Arthur Track. One of the most popular destinations in Kahurangi National Park, the hut is great as a day walk or an easy overnight tramp from Flora car park, and is perfectly located just below the tree line.
| Details | |
| Distances (to Mt Arthur Hut) | 4 km from Flora car park; 2.8 km from Flora Hut; 8.7 km from Salisbury Lodge (via Gordon’s Pyramid); 6.4 km from Ellis Basin Hut |
| Time Required (to Mt Arthur Hut) | 1 hr 20 min from Flora car park; 1 hr from Flora Hut |
| Trail Type | Walking track |
| Physical Difficulty | Moderate |
| Uses | Walking and trail running |
| Direction | Either |
| Start Elevation | 930 m (Flora car park) |
| Max Elevation | 1300 m |
| Dog Access | Dogs are prohibited in Kahurangi National Park |
1 hr from Nelson
Flora car park is the starting point for Mt Arthur Track. Flora car park is located at 930 m elevation, at the end of Graham Valley Road, southwest of Motueka. Graham Valley Road begins off Motueka River West Bank Road near Ngatimoti, and is approximately 65 km from Nelson and 21 km from Motueka. The car park is located 10 km up Graham Valley Road, at the road end. Be aware that Graham Valley Road is steep and unsealed, and can be icy and snowy in winter. A 4WD vehicle is recommended, especially in winter. The road is also prone to slips, so check DOC Alerts webpage for road access updates. All tracks on Mt Arthur are located entirely within Kahurangi National Park.
Begin by following the 4WD Road (Flora Track) from Flora car park. This will take you to Flora Saddle (975 m), where Mt Arthur Track forks to the left. The well-graded track has a gentle gradient as it climbs onto a ridge in a southwest direction, and soon enters a notable stand of dracophyllum traversii along the top of the ridge. The track steepens a little and winds up through tall, elegant silver beech trees. You will reach Mt Arthur Hut after around 1 hr 20 min. The hut is located just below the tree line, at 1300 m. There are great views of Tasman Bay and the Arthur Range from just uphill of the hut.
Mt Arthur Hut is popular given its easy access. It is not a large hut, so do not be surprised to find it full. There is space for only a couple of tents outside, though you can also erect tent flies among the trees just downhill of the hut.
| Mt Arthur Hut | |
| Hut Type | Serviced Hut |
| Capacity | 8 bunks |
| Bookings | Not required; first in, first served |
| Fee | 1 Serviced Hut Ticket |
| Facilities | Woodburner, mattresses, space for a few tents outside |
| Altitude | 1300 m |
On the return leg, you can retrace you steps back the way you came. Alternatively, you can return via Flora Hut. For the latter option, continue just uphill of the Mt Arthur Hut to a track junction, where you can turn off to Flora Hut. It is 2.8 km to Flora Hut and downhill most of the way. The first kilometre passes through tussock, which allows good views of Mt Arthur and Gordon’s Pyramid. The track then enters beech forest, through which it continues for the remainder of the decent to Flora Hut. The track is tramping grade and is certainly more challenging than Mt Arthur Track, so it would be wise to wear decent outdoor footwear if you intend to do this circuit. Once at Flora Hut, head back along the 4WD road for 2 km back to Flora car park.
Be sure to indicate your intended route in the visitor book at Flora Kiosk. Mt Arthur Track reaches a high elevation and is exposed above the tree line, so proper outdoor clothing is essential. Check the alpine weather forecast before you go. Do not rely on weather forecasts for the nearest town, Motueka, as the alpine weather may be drastically different. Summer, or snow-free trips are relatively straight-forward, though winter trips are a more serious undertaking.
The karst landscape is riddled with caves, sinkholes and bluffs. Do not deviate off the track, especially in winter, when snow will disguise the true ground surface.
Mobile phone coverage is possible at Flora car park and above the tree line on Mt Arthur, though it is intermittent at best throughout the remainder of the area.
See the Mountain Safety Council website for useful information on preparing for the outdoors.
