Mount Robert, Mountain summit in Nelson Lakes National Park, New Zealand
Pourangahau / Mount Robert is a 1,421-metre summit in Nelson Lakes National Park, Tasman District. A five-hour loop, the Mount Robert Circuit, climbs the steep Pinchgut Track to a ridge near the top, passes Bushline Hut, and descends by the gentler Paddy's Track, with views over Lake Rotoiti and Saint Arnaud.
The mountain was originally part of private Lake Station land under John Kerr, then came under Crown management after his death in 1898. This change opened the summit to public access and shaped its later use.
The mountain received its dual name Pourangahau / Mount Robert in 2014 through a Treaty settlement, acknowledging Māori heritage. This naming reflects the place's importance to the local community.
Access to the summit starts from the car park at 880 meters elevation, where the Pinchgut Track climbs steeply and Paddy's Track offers a gentler option. Both routes require good preparation and appropriate clothing for changeable mountain conditions.
A rope-tow skifield once operated on the northern side of Mount Robert; the tows were removed in 2005 and moved to the Rainbow Ski Area, with lack of snow given as one reason. A helicopter shuttle was sometimes used to reach the field.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,424 contributors worldwide.