Things to do nearby
South Canterbury
adventures & experiences
After a few days relaxing on the land, you may feel the call of adventure
South Canterbury is a natural playground, with white water rafting and fly fishing on the Rangitata, hunting in the high country, private horse trekking, and skiing in season. If relaxation is more your thing, book into the local day spa, and explore the picturesque local communities.
Your remote concierge can arrange any of these adventures for you.
White Water Rafting
Rafting trips on the Rangitata include the highest grade commercially rafted rapids in the world. If you're over 14, you can test your nerve on Grade 4/5 rapids on a torrent fed by ice plateaus through the Rangitata Gorge. Grade 2 rapids on the lower Rangitata are gentler family fun. All gear supplied.
Rural charm
Country towns & historic stations
Geraldine
23 kilometres away, a 15-minute drive south of Peel Forest, Geraldine was established as a sawmilling settlement in the 1850s. Over the years it's grown into a charming country town with tree-lined streets on the banks of the Waihi River. There's a cluster of galleries, cafés, and gourmet food producers including a cheese shop, gin distillery, and Barkers of Geraldine. The Geraldine Domain playground will be a hit with the kids.
Peel Forest
Peel Forest is a small settlement on the doorstep of Whakahā, sitting beside one of New Zealand's rare pockets of ancient podocarp forest. The village has a general store and café, a domain camping ground on the Rangitata, and a network of walking tracks through towering totara and matai trees.
Temuka
45.7 kilometres away, a 40-minute drive east of Peel Forest, Temuka's main street of well-preserved early 20th-century buildings is a magnet for lovers of vintage treasure with its cluster of second-hand shops and antique stores. The town is best known for Temuka Pottery, a renowned producer of stoneware established in 1931. The Courthouse Museum is also worth a look to learn about the heritage of this rural industrial and agricultural hub.
Fairlie
Fairlie in the Mackenzie District is 68 kilometres from Peel Forest, a 50–60-minute drive. The town is the gateway to Lake Tekapo and Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. Ski fields Fox Peak and Mount Dobson are close by. The attractive town centre has mature trees, historical buildings, boutiques, a gallery, cafés, and a popular bakery celebrated for its pies.
Mount Peel Station
Visit the Church of the Holy Innocents built in 1869 and the grave of author, Dame Ngaio Marsh. If you're here for Lily Day in December, don't miss a visit to the Himalayan Lilies naturalised under the station oaks. Seeds escaped the estate conservatory in the 1890s, now each summer giant white lilies fill the woods with their scent, and the estate opens to raise funds for the Geraldine Parish. Bring a picnic and explore the historic gardens.
Mesopotamia Station
50 kilometres from Peel Forest, Mesopotamia Station was named by writer Samuel Butler in 1860 – you can still visit the remains of his original homestead on the land. Known for its spectacular scenery, Butler used the high country as the inspiration for his novel Erewhon, and later this high-country station was the location for Edoras, capital of Rohan, in the Lord of the Rings. Visits and tours can be arranged through your concierge.
Local flavours
South Canterbury
producers to try
Café Verde
This charming café is your host Camille's favourite place to grab brunch or a coffee in all of New Zealand. A beautiful garden café in Geraldine's old telephone exchange building, with delicious food. Pull up a wicker chair on the veranda, smell the roses, and order from the seasonal brunch and lunch menu.
