Owen River: River Landscapes and Whitewater

Owen River Recreation Reserve lies at the confluence of the Owen River and Buller River, also known as the Kawatiri River. The Owen River rises on the 1,875-metre slopes of Mount Owen, flows 20 kilometres through the landscape and joins the Buller River downstream of Owen River Tavern. This journey from mountain to confluence gives the destination a strong connection to the water. When choosing the area, you can first consider whether river activities or trails on Mount Owen should be the focus of your stay.

The Reserve at the Confluence

The Reserve is accessible via a gravel road beside Owen River Tavern. The reserve plan adopted in August 2025 lists a shelter open on one side, a toilet block with two prefabricated toilets, hot-water shower units and picnic tables. The campground is also described as having a small toilet block, a water supply and a basic shelter. This makes it easy to consider the Reserve as a destination in its own right for a stay by the river, separate from the Tavern’s excursion offerings.

River Activities and Excursions

Owen River Tavern & Motels serves meals and drinks in its bar and restaurant. The Tavern’s recreational offerings include trout-fishing trips as well as whitewater rafting and kayaking tours; kayakers and rafters also use the Reserve itself. This distinction is useful for planning: the Reserve is the designated place at the confluence, while rafting, kayaking and trout fishing are offered as Tavern excursions. The Tavern also offers tramping tracks to explore the area, horse rides and caving expeditions. Alongside water-based activities, trails, horse rides and caves therefore provide other themes to consider when choosing your trip.

Trails on Mt Owen

The southern access to Mt Owen leads from State Highway 6 near Owen River Tavern via Owen River East Road. The Sunrise Peak route to Mt Owen initially runs for about two kilometres across pastureland and then enters the forest. It then crosses the river several times and climbs along Sunrise Ridge to the treeline. The route therefore moves from an open stretch of pasture to forest, river crossings and a climb along the ridge. Check conditions and access requirements before setting out.

Murchison as an Alternative Excursion Base

Nearby, the Murchison District Museum focuses on photographs and accounts of the 1929 Murchison earthquake. The museum also provides information about local activities, attractions and places of interest in the surrounding area. Two kilometres north of Murchison, on the Kawatiri-Murchison Highway, a nine-hole golf course is situated beside the Buller River. Murchison is also the closest starting point for the Lyell end of the Old Ghost Road, a mountain biking and tramping route connecting Lyell with the Mokihinui River. The museum and golf course offer a different focus from the river and mountain themes at Owen River.

If you first decide what kind of trip you want, you can then compare accommodation based on which of your planned priorities you want to focus on.

Discover more destinations: Ngatimoti, Mahana, Brightwater, Marahau, Saint Arnaud, Murchison, Nelson Lakes National Park, Anatori.

For the broader travel overview: Tasman District.