You can explore the mountains, rivers, tussocklands, forests and valuable wetlands of the park by foot, mountain bike and on horseback. Alert: Report illegal vehicle activity within this conservation park to 0800 4258 8427 Location: Ahuriri Conservation Park is in North Otago, South Island. The closest townships are Omarama and Twizel.
Banks Peninsula was once a rich mosaic of plant and bird species. The few pockets which survive as reserves give some idea of the lost diversity. Alert: Some areas are closed due to damage from the 22 February 2011 earthquake and June 2011 aftershocks. Location: Banks Peninsula is near Christchurch on the east coast of the South Island. Its many reserves are scattered all over the peninsula.
These two Benmore Range conservation areas came from Glenbrook Station completing the tenure review process. Location: The two conservation areas are at the northern end of the Benmore Range, Mackenzie Country, four kilometres south of Twizel township.
A 594 metre long cave within Cave Stream Scenic Reserve is one of the most outstanding natural features in the Canterbury region. Location: The reserve is in the Castle Hill Basin between the Torlesse and Craigieburn mountain ranges, approximately 90 km northwest of Christchurch.
Craigieburn Forest Park extends from the Waimakariri River to the Wilberforce River - with braided rivers, beech valleys, tussock grasslands, alpine screes and rugged mountain peaks topping 2300 m. Location: Craigieburn Forest Park is in Canterbury, beside highway 73 between Christchurch and the West Coast.
An hour's drive from Christchurch are preserved pockets of native vegetation where you can kayak, raft, mountain bike, take short walks near scenic picnic areas or try tougher hikes. Location: The Glentui and Ashley Gorge area is about 60 km northwest of Christchurch, and is reached via the township of Oxford.
The Godley Head WWII coastal defence battery sits atop sheer 120 metre-high cliffs. Built in 1939, it is ranked in the top ten New Zealand coastal defence heritage sites. Alert: Godley Head: closed. All walking and mountain biking tracks in this area are closed for inspection. Location: The headland guards the entrance to Lyttelton Harbour, Christchurch and is only 30 minutes drive from The Square.
Hakatere Conservation Area is in mid-Canterbury, Ashburton Lakes area. It is new public land as an outcome of Barrosa pastoral lease completing tenure review. Location: Hakatere Conservation Area is in mid-Canterbury, Ashburton Lakes area. It is next to Hakatere Conservation Park.
Hakatere Conservation Park, in mid-Canterbury, is centred around the Ashburton Lakes District between the Rakaia and Rangitata Rivers. Location: Hakatere Conservation Park is inland from the mid-Canterbury town of Ashburton, about 2 hours drive south of Christchurch, South Island.
Tucked up behind one of Canterbury's most popular holiday towns, Hanmer Forest Park is a walking and cycling paradise. Location: Hanmer Springs, at an altitude of 385 metres, is 135 kilometres north of Christchurch, off the Lewis Pass Highway.
There are a number of public conservation areas along the Hunter Hills. Hunting and camping are possible in some reserves and most have walking tracks and picnic areas. Location: The Hunter Hills are southwest of Timaru, which is 160 km south of Christchurch, on the east coast of the South Island.
The kakī/black stilt visitor hide is a great place to see one of New Zealand's rarest birds up close. Location: The kakī/black stilt visitor hide is next to the Department of Conservation's captive breeding centre, just outside of Twizel in the Mackenzie Basin, central South Island.
The Kirkliston Range Conservation Area, in the Waitaki Valley, is a regionally significant landscape, particularly notable for its vegetation. Location: Located on the east and south-west faces of Kirkliston Range, a small mountain range in the Waitaki Valley.
Centred on the Torlesse and Big Ben ranges, in Canterbury's high country, the park attracts trampers, hunters, winter climbers and cross-country skiers, picnickers, boaties and botanists. Location: The Torlesse Range is one of the most accessible in the country, located alongside SH 73, only 75 minutes drive from Christchurch.
The grand limestone rock battlements of Kura Tawhiti led early European travellers to name the area Castle Hill. Location: Bounded by the high mountains of the Torlesse Range to the east and the Craigieburn Range to the west, the limestone tors of Kura Tawhiti Conservation Area dominate the Waimakariri Basin, Canterbury.
Te Waihora is a shallow, brackish coastal lake, Canterbury's largest and New Zealand's fifth largest, and an internationally important wildlife area. Location: Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere and Kaitorete Spit lie just south-east of Christchurch, South Island, on the way to Banks Peninsula.
Remote high-country lakes, beech-clad mountains, wide rivers and hot springs complete this picturesque landscape, a tramper's mecca and a safe haven for endangered species. Location: Lake Sumner Forest Park lies 100 km northwest of Christchurch between the Lewis Pass and Arthur's Pass National Park.
Lake Tekapo is a highland lake and township at 710 metres, surrounded by a vast basin of golden tussock grass. Location: Lake Tekapo lies in the centre of the South Island in an area known as the Mackenzie Basin.
This area includes conservation lands north of Lindis Pass in the Lindis Conservation Area and edges of Hawea and Ahuriri Conservation Parks. Location: Lindis Pass is in North Otago, central South Island, via State Highway 8. Closest town centres to Lindis region are Omarama to the north, and Cromwell to the south.
Motukarara Conservation Nursery grows Canterbury native plants exclusively. At the nursery you can both buy plants and get information about them and how to grow them. Location: The nursery is situated within the Waihora Domain at Motukarara.
Mt Alford Conservation Area offers varied vegetation, scenic views across Canterbury, and a history of forestry and diamond prospecting. Settlers used Alford Forest as one of their few sources of timber. Location: South of the Ashburton River North Branch/Haketere, Mt Alford Conservation Area is about 12.5 km from Methven.
Located at the foot of the Southern Alps an hour's drive from Christchurch, and combining forest and alpine environments, the area attracts trampers, picnickers and hunters. Alert: The access gate will be locked in periods of high fire risk. Location: Mt Grey/Maukatere Forest is west of Amberley township, which is on State Highway 1, about 60 km north of Christchurch.
Mt Hutt Forest Conservation Area protects over 4000 hectares of mountain beech forest in mid-Canterbury. It includes the popular Mt Hutt Skifield within its boundaries. Location: Mt Hutt Conservation Area is 14 kilometres west of the mid-Canterbury township of Methven.
Mt Somers in mid-Canterbury features rugged bush, open sub-alpine tussock lands, historic coalmines, impressive volcanic formations and deep canyons. Location: Mt Somers Conservation Area is in the foothill ranges of the Southern Alps, inland mid-Canterbury. The closest towns are Staveley village, and Mt Somers township.
Mt Thomas Forest and the Wooded Gully picnic area lie in the foothills of the Southern Alps, an hour by car from Christchurch. Location: Mt Thomas Forest covers 10,800 hectares between the Ashley and Okuku Rivers.
You can explore the varying terrain of North Opuha Conservation Area on foot, horseback or mountain bike. Alert: Changes to the access easement provisions. Location: The North Opuha Conservation Area is 30 km NW of Fairlie, opposite the Fox Peak Skifield Area, South Canterbury.
Ō Tū Wharekai, nestled amongst high-country tussocklands and set against the towering Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o Te Moana, is one of the best examples of an inter-montane wetland system in New Zealand. Location: Located near Mt Somers village.
Ohau Moraines Wetland Complex is one of the largest wetland areas to be protected in recent years. It is a vast area of red tussocklands, wetlands, rolling moraines and outwash flats. Location: The Ohau Moraines Wetland Complex is located inland from the North Otago town of Omarama, South Island.
Ōtamahua/Quail Island is an inner harbour island, reached via a short ferry ride from Christchurch. It is Canterbury's largest island but is easily explored in a day. Location: Ōtamahua/Quail Island lies within Lyttelton Harbour/Te Whakaraupō, Christchurch.
Oteake Conservation Park straddles the ranges dividing Otago and Canterbury, and is accessible from the Maniototo or the Waitaki Valley. This link will take you to information about the park in the Otago region. Location: Oteake Conservation Park spans two regions.
Ōtukaikino is a 13 ha freshwater wetland reserve to the north of Christchurch. Location: The reserve is in the north of Christchurch, at the southern end of the northern motorway.
This 11,350 hectare forest near the township of Oxford features walking and mountain biking tracks and a Recreational Hunting Area. Location: The forest is about 56 km northwest of Christchurch.
Peak Hill is a prominent hill on the shores of Lake Coleridge, Canterbury. At its peak at 1240 m, it offers a stunning overview of the lake and surrounding area on a fine day. Location: Peak Hill is beside Lake Coleridge, which is 90 minutes drive west of Christchurch.
Peel Forest is a remnant of a forest once covering much of mid-Canterbury. The diverse forest environment attracts walkers, and the Rangitata River lures fishers, canoeists and rafters. Location: Peel Forest Park is situated along the foothills of the Southern Alps by the Rangitata River in the Geraldine District, mid-Canterbury.
At Pōhatu Marine Reserve, picnicking, swimming, boating, diving and photography are encouraged, as are educational and scientific activities, providing the reserve's plants and wildlife are not disturbed. Location: Pōhatu Marine Reserve is centred on Flea Bay, on the southeast side of Banks Peninsula.
As a result of the tenure review process for Redcliffe Station, completed in October 2009, some 7837 hectares are now public conservation land; 113 hectares of these are in scenic reserves. Location: Redcliffe Conservation Area is part of the Mt Hutt Range, just south of the Rakaia River, 24 km northwest of Methven. It is bounded by the Swift River to the west and adjoins Hakatere Conservation Park at Mt Hutt.
Tucked close against the southern shore off Lyttelton Harbour, Ripapa Island was an ideal site for a Ngāi Tahu fortified pa and, later, a fortress to defend against Russian attacks. Alert: Closed due to earthquake damage Location: Southern shores of Lyttelton Harbour (Whakaraupō), near Christchurch.
A region of rugged mountains, tussock lands, beech forest and sparkling rivers, the park includes Dobson, Hopkins, Huxley, Temple and Maitland valleys and the Ben Ohau Range. Location: Ruataniwha Conservation Park is in the Mackenzie Basin, South Canterbury/Otago. The closest township is Twizel.
Talbot Forest, Waihi Gorge, Orari Gorge and Te Moana Scenic Reserve are remnants of a vast forest that used to cover the area, while Pioneer Park celebrates its colonial history. Location: These reserves are inland and south of the township of Geraldine, in South Canterbury.
Located on three mountain ranges, the St James Conservation Area encompasses exceptional natural features and recreation opportunities. Location: Located on three mountain ranges and containing the headwaters of the Waiau and Clarence rivers, the St James Conservation Area encompasses the St James Walkway. The western side is 190 km from Christchurch - off Lewis Pass Road (SH 7) and the eastern side is accessed 13 km north from Hanmer Springs, off Tophouse road.
Te Kahui Kaupeka Conservation Park spans the Mid & South Canterbury and the Mackenzie Country & Waitaki areas. It encompasses spectacular landscapes of ice-shaped mountains and broad glaciated valleys in the Two Thumb Range. Location: The park spans the Mid & South Canterbury and the Mackenzie Country & Waitaki areas. Two Thumb Range originates in the central Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana icefields, running south to terminate in the mountains above Burkes Pass.
Te Kahui Kaupeka Conservation Park encompasses spectacular landscapes of ice-steppened mountains and broad glaciated valleys in the Two Thumb range. Location: Two Thumb Range originates in the central Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana icefields, running south to terminate in the mountains above Burkes Pass.
Tenehaun Conservation Area includes the highest peak in the Moorhouse Range, as well as walking and mountain-bike public access easements above Rangitata Gorge. Location: Inland from Ashburton, Tenehaun is part of the Moorhouse Range, which is to the east of the Rangitata River.
With only 2% of wetlands remaining in the Christchurch area, the Travis Wetland Nature Heritage Park is a special place to view wildlife. Location: Located near Christchurch.
When dry the kettleholes reveal a rich plant-life of very small herbs, which form a dense turf. When wet they are an important feeding area for a host of wading and wetland birds. Location: Waipero Kettleholes Conservation Area is in the Mackenzie Basin, central South Island. The closest township is Omarama.
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