Things to Do in Murchison

• Watersports
  The Buller and its tributaries offer excellent jetboating, kayaking and whitewater rafting. Options include Ultimate Descent rafting and kayaking, White Water Action Rafting; New Zealand Kayak School, and Buller Experience Jet.
• Whitewater World Cup Kayak Races & Bullerfest
  Held annually in February on the Buller River and its tributaries, these events draw hundreds of kayakers and rafters to Murchison.
• Fishing
  With over a dozen rivers and streams, the town is a fisherman's paradise. Brown trout averaging 1.6kg. Guided fly fishing is available - contact the information centre for details.
• Goldpanning
  There is gold panning on the Buller River, and at Lyell Creek and Howard Valley. The information centre hires pans and shovels.
• Buller Gorge Swing Bridge
  New Zealand's longest swing bridge. Take the flying fox across the Buller River, pan for gold or enjoy one of the many walks in the area. Open every day.
• Mountain biking
  Moutain bike trails in the area include the Matakitaki (16km return) and the Upper Matakitaki (76km return). Bikes can be hired at Murchison Mountain Bike Hire.
• Walks
  A walking track leads up Matiri Valley to Lake Matira in Kahurangi National Park. Shorter tracks include the 20 minute Kahikatea and the 30 minute walk at Kawatiri. There is also the Lyell Walkway in the Buller Gorge and several walkways surrounding the town of Murchison, including the Skyline Walkway with its spectacular views, the Six Mile (taking in New Zealand's oldest hydro power station) and the Johnson Creek walkways.
• Murchison District Museum
  Goldmining history along with displays on the Murchison earthquake, which destroyed the settlement in 1929.
• Kahurangi National Park
  Covering 400,000ha of wilderness, Kahurangi is an ecological treasure with more than 100 bird species, 50% of all New Zealand's plant species and 80% of the country's alpine plants. Operators include Kahurangi Guided Walks, featuring the Heaphy Track, Chaffey Cottage, Aorere Goldfields and Cobb Valley.
• Nelson Lakes National Park
  Centred around Lakes Rotoiti and Rotoroa, this park offers watersports, lakeside walks and mountain-hiking routes. There is skiing during the winter at Rainbow Skifield, which overlooks Lake Rotoiti.
• Maruia Falls
  A 9m waterfall 22km southwest of Murchison. The falls were created by the 1929 earthquake.