{{Short description|Mountains in New Zealand}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox mountain | name = Braeburn Range | country = New Zealand | region = Tasman Region | range_coordinates = | length_km = 23 | length_orientation = NW - SE | highest = <nowiki>Mount Murchison</nowiki> | elevation_m = 1469 | coordinates = {{coord|41|43|48|S|172|29|59|E|type:mountain|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | topo_map = 250-18 Murchison | topo_maker = LINZ | image = Mount Murchison from the Buller Road.jpg | image_caption = Mount Murchison from the Buller Road,<br>probably around 1900 }}
The '''Braeburn Range''' is a mountain range in the [[Tasman Region]] of [[New Zealand]]'s South Island. It lies to the west of [[Lake Rotoroa (Tasman)|Lake Rotoroa]] and much of the eastern flank of the range is within the [[Nelson Lakes National Park]]. The range runs south-southeast, with a westwards curve at the northern end and several westward-trending spurs.
The northernmost and highest peak of the range is the {{convert|1469|m|ft}} [[Mount Murchison (Tasman)|Mount Murchison]] overlooking the [[Buller River]]. The southern endpoint of the range is Mount Hutton ({{convert|1400|m|ft}}) above the Tiraumea Saddle. The higher [[Ella Range]] lies to the south. Other peaks include Mount Pickering ({{convert|1249|m|ft}}), Mount Cotton ({{convert|1256|m|ft}}), Mount Baring ({{convert|1127|m|ft}}), and Twins ({{convert|1152|m|ft}}).<ref>New Zealand 1:260000 Topographic Map Series sheet 250–18: Murchison</ref> The [[tree line|bush line]] is around {{convert|1350|m|ft}} in this area, so only the two highest peaks are not covered in bush. There is a radio and television transmission mast on top of Mount Murchison.
The area above the bush line on Mount Murchison is one of three isolated habitats for an as-yet unnamed species of large [[alpine tundra|alpine]] [[carnivorous]] [[land snail]], currently known as [[Powelliphanta "Nelson Lakes"|''Powelliphanta'' "Nelson Lakes"]].<ref name="doc">{{cite web|url=http://www.doc.govt.nz/documents/science-and-technical/tsrp49.pdf|pages=157–159|title=Recovery plans for ''Powelliphanta'' land snails 2003–2013|first=Kath|last=Walker|publisher=Department of Conservation}}</ref> Living beneath tussocks and mountain flax, these snails have survived summer grazing by sheep and cattle in the past. Pigs are still considered a threat. A more widespread variety, [[Powelliphanta "Matakitaki"|''Powelliphanta'' "Matakitaki"]] is found in bush above 1200 metres south of Mount Murchison.<ref name="doc" /> It is also the only known site of ''Veronica societatis'', a small grassland hebe first discovered by members of the Nelson Botanical Society and named after the society in 2002.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Bayly|first=Michael|title=An illustrated guide to New Zealand Hebes.|last2=Kellow|publisher=Te Papa Press|year=2006|isbn=978-0-909010-12-6|location=Wellington, New Zealand|pages=232}}</ref>
The area is popular for hunting, with red deer, pigs, chamois and goats to be found.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/hunting/where-to-hunt/nelson-tasman/nelson-lakes-hunting/where-to-hunt/braeburn-range/|title=Nelson Lakes Hunting - Braeburn Range|publisher=Department of Conservation|accessdate=15 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130222040531/http://doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/hunting/where-to-hunt/nelson-tasman/nelson-lakes-hunting/where-to-hunt/braeburn-range/|archive-date=22 February 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The range is crossed by one track navigable by [[four-wheel-drive]] vehicles, the Braeburn Track, which connects the outlet of Lake Rotoroa with the upper [[Mangles River]] valley via a saddle at {{convert|650|m|ft}}. The Tiraumea [[New Zealand tramping tracks|tramping track]] crosses the saddle at the southern end of the range, following the [[Tiraumea River (Tasman)|Tiraumea River]].
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Tasman District}}
[[Category:Mountain ranges of the Tasman District]]