Lake Sumner Forest Park

Stretching across the Southern Alps' northern flanks, Lake Sumner Forest Park is a wild, untamed slice of New Zealand's backcountry. This vast wilderness, anchored by the shimmering Lake Sumner and fed by the Hurunui River, offers a genuine escape into nature. Here, beech forests blanket the hillsides, alpine peaks reflect in glacially fed lakes, and the only sounds are birdsong and rushing water. It's a place for those who crave solitude and raw, unpolished landscapes.

Highlights & What to See

• Lake Sumner – The park's centrepiece, a deep blue lake perfect for kayaking, fishing (brown trout and salmon), and picnicking on its shores. The Lake Sumner Road offers dramatic views as it winds around the lake.
• Hurunui River & Hot Pools – Follow the river to the natural Hurunui Hot Pools, a series of rock-lined thermal pools set beside the river. It's a sublime spot to soak after a hike, with the water temperature varying from pool to pool.
• Hiking Trails – The park is crisscrossed with tramping tracks ranging from short walks to multi-day adventures. The Lake Sumner Track (3–4 days) circles the lake and crosses tussock tops, while the shorter Waterfall Track leads to a cascading 20-metre drop.
• Nina Valley – A lesser-visited gem, this valley offers a gentle walk through ancient podocarp forest, with chances to spot native birds like kererū and tomtits.
• Alpine Views – The park's eastern boundary touches the Southern Alps, providing stunning vistas of peaks like Mount Isabel. The views from the Lake Sumner Saddle are particularly memorable.

Suggested Time to Spend

To truly appreciate Lake Sumner Forest Park, plan for at least two full days. This allows for a day of hiking or kayaking on the lake, and another to explore the Hurunui Hot Pools and a second trail. If you're short on time, a day trip from Hanmer Springs (1.5 hours drive) can cover a walk and a soak, but you'll miss the park's deeper solitude. For trampers, multi-day trips of 3–5 days open up the backcountry and remote huts.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Hanmer Springs – Just over the Lewis Pass, this alpine village is famous for its thermal pools and spa, plus adventure activities like bungy jumping and mountain biking.
• Lewis Pass National Reserve – Adjacent to the park, this reserve offers more hiking and the chance to see the Maruia Falls.
• Kaikōura – A 2-hour drive east, Kaikōura is renowned for whale watching, dolphin encounters, and its seafood (especially crayfish).
• Molesworth Station – New Zealand's largest farm, accessible via a 4WD route from the park, with historic homesteads and vast tussock landscapes.
• Blenheim & Marlborough Wine Region – About 2.5 hours north, this is the heart of New Zealand's sauvignon blanc country, perfect for a wine tour after your wilderness fix.

Please check official sources for current details.