An easy getaway
Discover Kahurangi: Adventure, History, and Wild Beauty in Nelson Tasman
We’re pretty lucky here in the Nelson Tasman region. Surrounded by national and forest parks, we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to wild places to explore. But if we had to pick a favourite, Kahurangi National Park would be right up there—especially the magic trio of Mount Arthur, Cobb Valley, and the Tablelands.
Why This Area? Easy Access, Big Adventure
One of the best things about this part of Kahurangi is how easy it is to get into real wilderness, fast. With access roads leading to Flora Saddle (975m elevation) for drop-off and Cobb Valley (835m) for pick-up, you can string together some epic through-trips—perfect for intermediate to advanced hikers and mountain bikers.
Flora Saddle is just a 1.5-hour drive from Nelson airport, and there’s even a hut (Flora Hut) just a 30-minute walk from the carpark. That makes it super easy for weekend warriors: finish work a bit early on Friday, jump in the Scottish Express, and you’re on the trail by sunset. You’ll have a couple of full days to roam before a Sunday afternoon pick-up in the Cobb Valley.
What Makes This Place Special?
The geology here is ancient and wild—think marble peaks riddled with caves (some you can actually sleep in!), and gravel plains uplifted into the Tablelands, before you drop down into the glacier-carved Cobb Valley. There’s a real sense of history and drama in the land itself.
And it’s not just the landscape—there are loads of huts scattered through the area, some tucked into caves, all with their own stories. Whether you’re after a classic Kiwi hut night or something a bit more adventurous, you’ll find it here.
A Place Steeped in Stories
Māori History
Māori history runs deep in these hills. Mount Arthur and its Tablelands are known as Tu Ao Wharepapa, named by the rangatira(chief/leader) Turakautaki after a lost love. According to legend, Turakautaki fell for a beautiful wahine(woman) named Tuao Wharepapa. Already married, he had to leave his pā (fortified village), and as he journeyed to Kawatiri (the Buller River), he passed the mountain and named it after her.
Ngāti Rārua history also speaks of the Nei Nei plant, which our tūpuna (ancestors) used to make rain capes. There are also several tomo (sacred caves) found within Tu Ao Wharepapa, adding another layer of cultural significance to the landscape.
European History
The reason we have those handy alpine access roads is rooted in European exploration and industry. Thomas Salisbury was the first European to discover the Tablelands. One of three brothers from Lancashire, he settled in Pokororo in 1854. The brothers ran cattle and then sheep, but in 1863, Thomas went searching for more pastureland. Climbing a hill near his property, he spotted what would later be named Flora Saddle, Mount Arthur, and Lodestone. He got lost, made it back home, and later returned to climb Lodestone, from where he saw the rolling tussock land soon to be known as “Salisbury Open” (the Tablelands)—and, crucially, evidence of gold. The short-lived gold rushes and alpine grazing that followed helped shape the roads that now make adventuring here possible.
The Cobb Valley’s history is just as layered. It was named after prospector John Cobb, and its story is well documented thanks to the mining of asbestos deposits and the fascinating characters who ventured here in the early days. (You can read more about that here.)
Perhaps the main reason the Cobb Valley access road exists today is the construction of the Cobb Valley Dam for hydroelectric production. With electricity demand booming in the 1920s, regional authorities needed a reliable supply, and the Cobb Valley’s geography was perfect. The dam boasts the highest hydraulic head in New Zealand—an almost 600-metre fall from dam to turbines! To build and maintain the dam, a purpose-built access road was constructed, running 37km from Upper Takaka deep into the heart of Kahurangi National Park. (More about the dam and Nelson’s electrical supply here.)
Our Transport Package: Born from Local Adventure
We first trialed our transport service back in March 2023, aiming to help locals make the most of their weekends. It was a hit—people loved being able to finish work, hop in the Scottish Express, and start their adventure at Flora Carpark. Some even pre-ordered our Real Meals adventure food to have waiting for them!
We had a few surprises, too. Some folks just wanted a ride to Cobb Valley, which worked out perfectly—we could drop them in Motueka for dinner before heading up to Flora saddle for the initial drop off and then picking them back up in Motueka and whisking them away to the Cobb Valley. We also realised our vehicle was often empty on the return leg, so we started offering car relocations—helping people link up their own trips with less hassle and a lighter environmental footprint.
Since then, we’ve seen all sorts of creative uses for the service: people finishing the Dragons Teeth Route, others summiting Mount Arthur and riding the Barrons Flat track out to Upper Takaka. It’s awesome to see how people make these adventures their own.
Go Your Own Way—Or Let Us Help
We love sharing these stories because this part of Nelson Tasman is still a bit under the radar, overshadowed by some of our more famous neighbors(Abel Tasman). Whether you book our Kahurangi Express Package (with airport transfers and all the logistics sorted), or you plan your own mission, we just want to see more people out here making memories.
If you’ve read this far—thank you! Please share this with your adventure crew, check out our monthly specials page to see if there’s a Kahurangi Express deal for individual travelers coming up, or get in touch to book your own custom trip.
See you out there—Kahurangi is waiting!
References
Mount Arthur – The Prow
Ngāti Rārua Ᾱtiawa Iwi Trust – Te Ipukarea: The Maunga Are Here
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