Sabine River (New Zealand)

The Sabine River is in the South Island of New Zealand. It is located in Nelson Lakes National Park.

Sabine River
View up the Sabine Valley
Map
Route of the Sabine River
Sabine River (New Zealand) is located in South Island
Sabine River (New Zealand)
Mouth of the Sabine River
Sabine River (New Zealand) is located in New Zealand
Sabine River (New Zealand)
Sabine River (New Zealand) (New Zealand)
Location
CountryNew Zealand
DistrictTasman
Physical characteristics
SourceSabine River West Branch
 • coordinates42°04′12″S 172°38′35″E / 42.0700°S 172.6430°E / -42.0700; 172.6430
2nd sourceSabine River East Branch
 • coordinates42°05′20″S 172°43′19″E / 42.0888°S 172.7220°E / -42.0888; 172.7220
MouthLake Rotoroa
 • coordinates
41°54′20″S 172°40′29″E / 41.9055°S 172.6746°E / -41.9055; 172.6746
Basin features
ProgressionSabine RiverLake RotoroaTe Kauparenui / Gowan RiverBuller RiverTasman Sea
River systemBuller River
Tributaries 
 • leftCattle Stream
 • rightOpen Stream

There are two branches to the river—East Sabine and West Sabine. The West Sabine drains Lake Constance and the Blue Lake. The two branches join at the Sabine Forks, and flow into Lake Rotoroa. Apart from the upper reaches, which is open tussock and scrub, the river is set within unmodified beech forest. It is not a navigable river due to the rocky cascades along most of its length.

A tramping track runs along the river[1] and forms the western branch of the Travers-Sabine tramping circuit. This route usually starts from Saint Arnaud at the northern end of Lake Rotoiti. It follows the course of the Travers River, goes up over the sub alpine Travers Saddle (1787 metres), and then descends along the East Sabine Valley and Sabine Valley to Lake Rotoroa. A track also ascends the West Sabine to Blue Lake. This route continues over the Waiau Pass, eventually connecting with the St James Walkway and Lewis Pass.

Three tramping huts are located in the Sabine Valley: Sabine Hut (on the shore of Lake Rotoroa, near the mouth of the Sabine); West Sabine Hut (near the Sabine Forks); and Blue Lake Hut.

Ecology

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There is a diversity of flora and birdlife within the Sabine River Valley.

References

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  • Jim Dufresne. 2002. Tramping in New Zealand, 5th edition, Lonely Planet Series

Line notes

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  1. ^ Jim Dufresne. 2002