Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TOP OF CHAPTER
Peel Forest
Tucked away between the foothills of the Southern Alps and the Rangitata River (well
signposted from SH72), the Peel Forest is among NZ's most important remnants of indi-
genous podocarp (conifer) forest. Many of the totara, kahikatea and matai trees here are
hundreds of years old and are home to an abundance of bird life including riflemen, kere-
ru (wood pigeons), bellbirds, fantails and grey warblers. One example of totara on the
Big Tree Walk (30 minutes return) is 31m tall, has a circumference of 9m and is over
1000 years old. There are also trails to Emily Falls (1½ hours return), Rata Falls (two
hours return) and Acland Falls (one hour return); pick up the
Peel Forest Park
brochure
($2) from Peel Forest Store.
A road from nearby Mt Peel sheep station leads to Mesopotamia, the run of English
writer Samuel Butler in the 1860s. His experiences here partly inspired his famous satire
Erewhon
('nowhere' backwards, almost).
Sights & Activities
St Stephen's Church
CHURCH
Sitting in a pretty glade right next to the general store, this gorgeous little Anglican
church (1885) has a warm wooden interior and some interesting stained glass. Look for
St Francis of Assisi surrounded by NZ flora and fauna (get the kids to play spot-the-
tuatara).
Peel Forest Horse Trekking
HORSE RIDING
( 03-696 3703;
www.peelforesthorsetrekking.co.nz
;
1hr/2hr/half-day/full day $55/110/220/
380)
Ride through lush forest on short stints or multiday treks ($982 to $1623, minimum
four people). Accommodation packages are available in conjunction with Peel Forest
Lodge.
Rangitata Rafts
RAFTING
( 0800 251 251;
www.rafts.co.nz
;
Rangitata Gorge Rd; Sep-May)
Head out for an exhilarat-
ing three-hour trip through Grade V rapids in the Rangitata Gorge ($208, minimum age
15), or start further down the Rangitata River for a gentler two-hour journey through
Grade II rapids ($165, minimum age six).
