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
Route of the Sabine River
Mouth of the Sabine River Sabine River (New Zealand) (New Zealand)
Location
Country	New Zealand
District	Tasman
Physical characteristics
Source	Sabine River West Branch
• coordinates	42.0700°S 172.6430°E / -42.0700; 172.6430
2nd source	Sabine River East Branch
• coordinates	42.0888°S 172.7220°E / -42.0888; 172.7220
Mouth	Lake Rotoroa
• coordinates	41°54′20″S 172°40′29″E
Basin features
Progression	Sabine River → Lake Rotoroa → Te Kauparenui / Gowan River → Buller River → Tasman Sea
River system	Buller River
Tributaries
• left	Cattle Stream
• right	Open 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 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

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

References

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