Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Tableland Circuit
Duration
3 days
Distance
28km (17.4 miles)
Track Standard
Route, tramping track, easy walk
Difficulty
Moderate
Start/End
Flora car park
Nearest Towns
Nelson (
Click here
)
, Motueka (
Click here
)
Transport
Shuttle bus
Summary
This loop around the fascinating tableland packs in plenty of eye candy, from
freaky alpine plants to twittering forest, odd rock forms and a grand peak, as well as wide
open views to lands way, way below.
The Arthur Range is one of three significant mountain ranges in Kahurangi National Park.
Its highest peak is Mt Arthur (1795m), the summit of which can be reached by fit trampers
without any special equipment in good weather. To the west of the mountain is the great up-
lifted plateau known as the Mt Arthur Tableland, a fascinating area with strange and ancient
rock formations, diverse plant life and relics from the pioneer era.
The tableland is also crossed by the long and remote Leslie-Karamea Track, which heads
southwest before connecting with the Wangapeka Track. It also lies adjacent to Cobb Valley
- yet more stimulating tramping territory, which is also accessible from Golden Bay.
The gently rolling tableland is a remnant of a once extensive sea-level plain that stretched
across NZ over 45 million years ago. As the land sank below sea level, thick quartz gravel
and then limestone were deposited on the ancient plain. In the last 14 million years, the
plain has been uplifted, mostly buckled and folded into mountains, its limestones and quartz
gravels eroded away. But here and there remnants have survived, and can be seen here.
There's something otherworldly - almost magical - about this place, and this three-day
adventure is sure to leave you with indelible memories.
