Winter view of Lake Heron and Arrowsmith Range © Warren Jowett

Wildlife refuges & nature reserves 

Duration All day

Walking time  A number of walks during the day from 10 to 30 minutes each.

Walking distance 3km

Track No tracks, unmarked routes over tussock land and river beds, easy walking. Locations visited include: the braided riverbed of the glacier-fed Ashburton River (South Branch); Maori Lakes Nature Reserve; Lake Heron Nature Reserve and ketle hole tarns; Lake Hill; Cameron River & wetland. (The Cameron River is one of the least modified braided rivers in New Zealand).

Highlights Birdwatching - southern crested grebe, wrybill, black fronted tern, black billed gull and many other wetland, tussock, pasture, and braided river bed species. Subalpine and tussock land native plants. Unpolluted & pure subalpine lakes. Mountain scenery and glaciated landscape, remnant glaciers.