OUR LOCATION
WELCOME TO PEEL FOREST
Peel Forest is a small community in the South Canterbury region of New Zealand, about 23km north of Geraldine and 45km East of Ashburton.
It is located near the Peel Forest Park Scenic Reserve, with the peak of Little Mt Peel/Huatekerekere rising to 1311m above the village and the surrounding forest.
The village has a community hall (pictured opposite), St Stephen’s Church, The Peel Forest Outdoor Centre and The Green Man at Peel Forest.
The latter was once the Peel Forest General Store; dating back to the last half of the 19th century it once served as a post office and general store, and in later years included a tea room and bar.
In late 2014 the store’s shelves were removed as it became a cafe and bar. Since a change of owners in 2018 it has been The Green Man at Peel Forest; the latest iteration of the community hub that has stood at this site since 1877.
THE PEEL FOREST PARK SCENIC RESERVE
Peel Forest is a large remnant of podocarp forest that once would have covered much of lowland Canterbury - it is one of the most significant examples of this type of native bush left remaining on the east coast of the South Island.
Many of the giant trees succumbed to logging by the province’s early settlers but there are large examples of Matai, Totara and Kahikatea still to be found. Logging operations ceased in 1908 and the park was created soon after to preserve the remaining 748ha of the forest.
Today, the forest is home to a huge array of fauna and flora; 36% of all of NZ’s fern species can be found in Peel Forest and it is also home to numerous species of native birds, including native wood pigeon, fantail, silvereye, bellbird and tomtit. You may even see a native falcon above the bushline, or hear the call of visiting tui and long-tailed cuckoo.
GATEWAY TO THE RANGITATA VALLEY
Peel Forest marks the start of the road towards the headwaters of the Rangitata river and the foothills of the Southern Alps. It’s a land of contrasts as snow covered peaks rise above green pastures, golden tussockland and turquoise glacial-fed river braids.
Famed for its hunting opportunities, fishing, jet boating and walking tracks - including sections of the Te Araroa trail - the Rangitata Valley is a haven for those who enjoy the outdoors.
Want to see more of this unique landscape? Contact us about our Mail to Mesopotamia mail run picnic tours.