Southern Alps / Kā Tiritiri o te Moana, Mountain range in Mackenzie District, New Zealand.
The Southern Alps form a mountain range stretching 500 kilometers along New Zealand's South Island, home to more than 3000 glaciers and peaks reaching heights up to 3724 meters (12,218 feet). The western flank receives heavy rainfall from the Tasman Sea, while the eastern side remains much drier and forms gentler valleys.
Captain James Cook documented these mountains in 1770 during his Pacific voyages and coined the European name Southern Alps. Gold seekers and sheep farmers reached the valleys in the mid-19th century and established early settlements along the river banks.
The name Kā Tiritiri o te Moana comes from the Māori language and translates literally as "steep peaks of the ocean", describing how these summits appear to rise from the sea when viewed from the coast. Local iwi consider these mountains a spiritual landmark and many peaks carry traditional names passed down through generations of oral history.
Several national parks within the range offer marked hiking trails, mountain huts, and guided climbs for visitors with different levels of experience. Weather can change rapidly, so bringing warm clothing and rain protection is advisable even in summer.
The Tasman Glacier extends for 23.5 kilometers (14.6 miles) and forms the longest glacier in this mountain system. At its end lies a lake with floating icebergs that break directly from the glacier front.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
