Braeburn walk

Nelson Lakes National Park NEW ZEALAND

Braeburn Walk (2 hr return) Published by:
Department of Conservation
Rotoiti / Nelson Lakes Visitor Centre
PO Box 55
St Arnaud 7053
New Zealand
May 2017

The Braeburn Walk leads along a wide and well graded track through a diverse remnant of beech and tall podocarp forest rich in bird life, then zigzags up to a picturesque mossy waterfall.
The track starts 400 metres west along Braeburn Road from the Gowan River Bridge. Initially the track follows the remains of a road constructed in the 1950s during the hydro-electric investigations. Flanking the flat section at the beginning of the walk is a grove of distinctive fuchsia trees forming a natural avenue. These are recognised by their flaky, paper-thin red bark, which peels away from the often gnarled and twisted trunks. Known to Māori as kōtukutuku, tree fuchsia is not only unique to New Zealand, but is the largest member of the fuchsia family in the world and one of New Zealand’s few deciduous native trees. In spring, the lifeless-looking trees produce new leaves, followed by green flowers that change to an attractive, deep burgundy. The flowers occur in two forms, a hermaphrodite flower (containing male and female parts), distinguished by its very unusual blue pollen, and a female flower. Both occur in the same area, but not on the same tree.
Fuchsias often grow alongside tracks and streams where there has been human or natural disturbance of the forest. Its presence also indicates relatively low numbers of introduced browsing animals, such as possum and deer, which have been responsible for the loss of these species in many forests elsewhere. The kererū (native wood pigeon) is often seen in this area.

AVISO. Las rutas descritas en WIKILOC por Carlos López Gutiérrez, así como los tracks para GPS son meramente orientativos. Queda bajo la RESPONSABILIDAD de quien las realice, las medidas de seguridad apropiadas para cada itinerario, que dependerán de las condiciones climatológicas, así como la preparación tanto técnica como física y mental de quienes realicen la ruta. Quede bien claro que todo lo indicado (track y comentarios) es meramente informativo, eximiéndose el autor de responsabilidad alguna, ante cualquier percance que pudiera sufrir quien por voluntad propia o inducida realice la ruta.