The Place
Visit Peel Forest, South Canterbury
Minutes from the forest and the river. A short drive from small town charm. An eternity from urban noise
On your doorstep
Peel Forest & the Rangitata River
At Whakahā, you're a 15-minute stroll from some of the oldest native bush in Te Waipounamu (the South Island). Peel Forest's ancient kahikatea and tōtara trees are over 1,000 years old, with some giants 3 metres wide. The forest is alive with birdsong, korimako, riroriro, and kererū among the many native birds.
Bordering the property, the Rangitata River is a braided alpine river. Channels of the river flow through wide bars of gravel that are a breeding habitat for endangered birds. The river rises in the Southern Alps and flows 121km to the Pacific, right past Whakahā.
Local History
This land has held people gently for a long time
Māori settled the region between the 14th and 15th centuries. It's likely they first came hunting moa, before establishing fortified pā. In local Ngāi Tahu kōrero, Tarahaoa – Mt Peel and Huatekerekere – Little Mt Peel are the ancestral tūpuna who chose to stay, and the tōtara their tamariki.
European colonisers arrived in 1849. The first settlers were sheep farmers, who began to clear the ancient forest. Timber milling began in the 1850s, and the area became a bustling sawmilling settlement. In 1881, a visiting British MP, horrified by the destruction of the forest, bought 16 hectares to save it from the saw.
Today, Peel Forest is one of the last remaining stands of lowland podocarp forest in Te Waipounamu, protected, regenerating, and alive with birdsong as it has been for a thousand years. The small community beside it remains much as it always has been, quiet, unhurried, and well worth your time.
Walk & Bike
Local trails to explore
Peel Forest is a 5-minute drive or a 15-minute walk from Whakahā. Tracks range from a gentle 30-minute loop through ancient trees to a full-day climb onto the ridge with panoramic views of the Canterbury Plains and the Southern Alps beyond. All trails are well-marked and managed by Department of Conservation.
Easy short walks
The Big Tree WalkA 30-minute return walk that takes you past mighty tōtara and matai. The largest tōtara is nearly three metres across. This flattish 870m walk is suitable for almost any age and ability, though not suitable for strollers.
Kahikatea WalkThis is a flat 1.9km loop through wetland areas and regenerating forest with boardwalks over low-lying areas. Allow 1 hour.
Dennistoun Bush WalkThis 1.8km loop takes you through 40 hectares of pristine podocarp forest with massive ancient trees – one of the quietest and most impressive walks in the area. Some sections can be muddy after rain. Allow about 1 hour.
