Mount Richmond Forest Park
Mounts Rintoul, Richmond, Fell and Fishtail, viewed from Gibbs Spur
New Zealand relief map
New Zealand relief map
Mount Richmond Forest Park
LocationSouth Island, New Zealand
Nearest cityNelson
Coordinates41°28′S 173°21′E / 41.47°S 173.35°E / -41.47; 173.35
Area165,946.5 hectares (410,063 acres)
Established1977
Governing bodyDepartment of Conservation

Mount Richmond Forest Park is a forest park in New Zealand, administered by the Department of Conservation.[1]

Established in 1977, the forest park is located between Nelson and Marlborough and consists of 1,659 km2 (641 sq mi) of conservation estate.[2][3] Around 80% of the area is covered in bush. The most notable peak in the forest park is Mount Richmond, which has an elevation above sea level of 1,760 metres (5,770 ft).[4]

The park covers 165,946 hectares (410,060 acres).[5][1]

History

The future park was the location of New Zealand's first deadly civilian aviation incident associated with regular passenger air service. On 7 May 1942, a plane flying from Wellington to Nelson hit Mount Richmond, causing both pilots and the three passengers to lose their lives. A subsequent investigation found a burnt out plane and no survivors on the upper slopes of Mount Richmond.[6]

The park was established in 1977.[5]

Te Araroa uses some of the 250 kilometers of tracks and huts in the forest park.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b "DOC Profile". doc.govt.nz. Department of Conservation.
  2. ^ "National and conservation parks".
  3. ^ "Data Table - Protected Areas - LINZ Data Service". Land Information New Zealand. Retrieved 2017-10-18.
  4. ^ "Mt Richmond routes".
  5. ^ a b Nathan, Simon. "National and conservation parks". Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
  6. ^ "Pre-war and Wartime Accidents".
  7. ^ "Marlborough". teararoa.org.nz. Te Araroa.
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