Location and surroundings
Mount Burnett belongs to the Mount Evans Range, within Fiordland on New Zealand’s South Island. Administratively it is in Fiordland Community, Southland District, Southland. In the range it is the highest point, and in the wider region it sits among rugged ridges, passes and steep valleys typical of Fiordland’s alpine country.
The summit area is inside Fiordland National Park and the Te Wāhipounamu - South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. That means the mountain is part of a protected landscape with little development, where travel is usually on rough ground, in wet conditions, and with long approaches from the nearest access points.
Neighbouring peaks
The nearest named peaks and passes give a good sense of the local terrain around Mount Burnett. The mountain is higher than the nearby hills and lower than some of the larger peaks farther away, while the passes mark the lower gaps in the range.
- Mount Burnett (hill), 737 m, 1.1 km NW
- Glen Alpin Pass (mountain pass), 472 m, 3.1 km W
- Mount Edgecumbe (hill), 619 m, 4.8 km E
- Mount Edgecumbe (peak), 1,105 m, 5.5 km E
- Perpendicular Peak (hill), 1,359 m, 6.4 km SE
- Oho Saddle (mountain pass), 807 m, 7.8 km SE
- Mount Hodges (peak), 1,042 m, 9.2 km N
- Mount Pender (peak), 800 m, 9.5 km NE
The nearest higher peak is Perpendicular Peak, which rises 89 m above Mount Burnett and lies 6.4 km to the south-east. That makes Mount Burnett a high point in its immediate area, but not the tallest summit on the skyline.
The view from the summit
From Mount Burnett, the highest peaks within 25 km are spread across the Fiordland skyline. To the east are Mount Solitary at 1,454 m, 16.3 km away, Kathryn Peak at 1,433 m, 18.6 km away, and Sea View Peak at 1,355 m, 17.8 km away. To the south-east are Cone Peak at 1,464 m, 20.2 km away and Houseroof Hill at 1,340 m, 20.1 km away.
Also within that radius is Mount Fitchett, 1,407 m, 24.5 km to the north-east. These peaks show how quickly the relief rises and falls in Fiordland, with higher summits visible across several directions rather than in one single ridge line.
The range
Mount Burnett is part of the Mount Evans Range, which has nine named peaks. The range’s highest point is Mount Evans Range itself, and Mount Burnett is the highest of the named summits in that group. The range lies in New Zealand, on the South Island in Fiordland.
For visitors, that ranking matters because it places Mount Burnett at the top of its local range, even though larger peaks exist elsewhere in Fiordland. It is therefore a key summit for understanding the shape of the Mount Evans Range and the surrounding alpine terrain.
Climate and weather
Climate estimates from NASA POWER for 2001–2020 suggest that the summit is cold but not permanently below freezing. The warmest month is January, at about 6 °C, and the coldest is June, at about 2 °C. Mean temperatures stay above freezing in every month, though conditions at the summit can still feel wintry because of wind, cloud and wet snow.
The surrounding area receives about 2,400 mm of precipitation a year. The wettest month is January, with about 230 mm, and the driest is August, with about 175 mm. In Fiordland, the main hazards are rapid weather changes, persistent rain, slippery rock, cold wind and poor visibility.
Best time to visit
Because the summit stays above freezing on average all year, there is no true warm season in the alpine sense, but the more settled months are usually the better choice for travel. The climate figures point to slightly warmer conditions in January and the cooler end of the year around June, with the drier period tending toward August.
For a mountain in this part of Fiordland, the practical window is usually the period with the most stable weather, longer daylight and less persistent rain. Even then, visitors should expect wet ground, cold mornings and the possibility of snow or ice on higher ground.
Nature and wildlife
Mount Burnett sits in a protected alpine environment inside Fiordland National Park and the Te Wāhipounamu - South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. The landscape is likely to include steep rock, tussock, alpine scrub and wet gullies, with vegetation thinning toward the summit as exposure increases.
In this part of New Zealand, wildlife in the hills commonly includes alpine and forest birds, and the broader Fiordland environment is known for wet, remote habitats rather than open dry slopes. The protected status of the area means the mountain is part of a large natural landscape with limited human modification.
Guides and organised ascents
For a mountain of this height in remote Fiordland, a certified guide can be sensible if you are not used to steep, wet alpine terrain, route-finding and changing weather. In New Zealand, the national mountain guide association is the New Zealand Mountain Guides Association, which is an IFMGA/UIAGM member. The national alpine club or federation is the New Zealand Alpine Club.
Visitors usually look for guidance through national alpine organisations, local visitor centres and established guiding companies working in New Zealand’s mountains such as Alpine Guides Aoraki and Adventure Consultants. A guided ascent typically depends on the number of days, group size, hut nights and equipment needed. For a place like Mount Burnett, the key issue is not technical difficulty alone but the remoteness and the weather.
Safety and preparation
Mount Burnett demands preparation for cold, wet and exposed alpine conditions. Even though the summit is only 1,270 m, the Fiordland setting means slippery ground, poor visibility and fast-changing weather can make travel slower and more serious than the height suggests. Good footwear, warm layers, rain protection and navigation skills are important.
For mountain rescue in New Zealand, the emergency number is 111. Ask for Police, who coordinate land search and rescue. On mobiles, 112 and 911 redirect to 111. Carry a charged phone, but do not rely on it alone in remote terrain.
Interesting facts
Mount Burnett is the highest of the nine named peaks in the Mount Evans Range. Its nearest higher peak is Perpendicular Peak, 6.4 km to the south-east, and the range high point is Mount Burnett itself. That makes it the top summit in its own range, even though it is surrounded by higher mountains elsewhere in Fiordland.
The mountain’s protected setting is also notable: it lies within both Fiordland National Park and the Te Wāhipounamu - South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. Its alternative name, Paretao, is another useful identifier for maps and local references.
FAQ
How high is Mount Burnett? It rises to 1,270 m.
Where is Mount Burnett? It is in Fiordland, Southland, New Zealand, in Fiordland Community and Southland District.
What range is Mount Burnett part of? It belongs to the Mount Evans Range, where it is the highest of the nine named peaks.
What are the nearest peaks and passes? Nearby are Glen Alpin Pass, Mount Edgecumbe, Perpendicular Peak, Oho Saddle, Mount Hodges and Mount Pender, all within about 10 km.
Is there water on the way to Mount Burnett? In this wet Fiordland terrain, water is often available from rain, seepage and streams, but it should be treated before drinking. Carry about 1.5-3 litres for a day, depending on heat and route length.
Are there huts on Mount Burnett? OpenStreetMap shows no hut or shelter within 2 km of the top, so hikers usually plan the ascent as a day trip or carry their own tent.
Is mobile coverage reliable? Coverage in the hills is patchy and depends on the operator. 112 reaches emergency services over any available network, and maps should be downloaded before setting out.