Brown River (Tasman)

Brown River
Brown River seen from the Heaphy Track bridge
Brown River
Location	Tasman, New Zealand
Coordinates	40.868°S 172.412°E / -40.868; 172.412
Type	River

Brown River is a river in Tasman, New Zealand.[1]

The source of the Brown River is near Brown Hill (elevation 1,104 metres or 3,622 feet) and the river flows north from the ridgeline adjacent to this hill. The Heaphy Track is on the south side of that ridgeline, with the river's source roughly halfway between Aorere Shelter and Flanagans Corner (the track's highest elevation).[1][2][3] Near the Brown River's confluence with the Aorere River, the Heaphy Track crosses it via a bridge. Near this location is Brown Hut, which is near the start of the track at its Golden Bay / Mohua terminus.[2]

In October 1856, James Mackay and John Clark explored the headwaters of the Aorere River. One night, they camped opposite a hill that they called "Brownhill" due to a large brown patch on it. The source does not state that Brown River got its name from Brown Hill, though.[4]

Brown River

• 
  Brown Hut
• 
  Heaphy Track bridge over Brown River

See also

• List of rivers of New Zealand

References

1. "Place name detail: Brown River". New Zealand Gazetteer. New Zealand Geographic Board. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
2. "Heaphy Track". Department of Conservation. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
3. "Place name detail: Brown Hill". New Zealand Gazetteer. New Zealand Geographic Board. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
4. Reed, A. W. (2010). Peter Dowling (ed.). Place Names of New Zealand. Rosedale, North Shore: Raupo. p. 60. ISBN 9780143204107.