Plan & prepare

Getting there

Travel 150 km south from Christchurch via State Highway 1, branching off at Ashburton, Hinds or south bank of Rangitata River over the bridge on the main road to pick up inland State Highway 72. The turnoff to Peel Forest leaves State Highway 72 about 12 km north of Geraldine, and it’s about 18 km to Peel Forest from the turnoff.

Weather

The climate of the high country areas of Peel Forest Park is quite different from the lowland areas. The rainfall increases with increasing distance from the coast, however the entire climatic cycle and especially Peel Forest Park’s diverse rainfall distribution is influenced by the nature of the winds. This is particularly the case with the dry northwest winds. Peel Forest records 1160 mm per annum. Snow may fall at any time of the year and short duration heavy snowfalls are often experienced between June and September.

Map

Topographical map NZMS 260 J37 Mount Peel.