Craigieburn Forest Park

Christchurch & Canterbury


Just off the highway, this mountainous area becomes a mecca for ski bunnies from June to October, with several fields in its midst, including Broken River and Craigieburn Valley. Craigieburn Picnic Area and Campsite (sites per adult/child $6/3) is set in the park's beech-forested lower slopes.

From around October to April, a track network offers various tramps from 20-minute nature trails to the classic four-hour-return hike to Helicopter Hill. Mountain biking is also possible; see www.craigieburntrails.org.nz for details.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Christchurch & Canterbury attractions

1. Cave Stream Scenic Reserve

3.65 MILES

Near Broken River Bridge, 2km northeast of Castle Hill, you'll find this 594m-long cave. As indicated by the information panels in the car park, the walk…

2. Castle Hill/Kura Tawhiti

4.48 MILES

Scattered across lush paddocks around 33km from Springfield, these limestone formations reach up to 30m high, and look so other-worldly they were named …

3. Arthur's Pass National Park

16.56 MILES

Straddling the Southern Alps, known to Māori as Ka Tiritiri o Te Moana (Steep Peak of Glistening White), this vast alpine wilderness became the South…