New Zealand
> Canterbury > Mt Somers
On
the western edge of the Mid Canterbury plains,
Mt Somers just off SH72 is a small village less than 2 hours drive
from Christchurch and a half hour from Geraldine. Mt Somers has a
store, petrol, a tavern and 2 camp grounds with more luxurious
accommodation available at The
Chancellor Resort in Methven. A film set for the movie trilogy Lord of the
rings was built near Mt Somers Village as the
capital of Rohan. The buildings have gone, but you may unknowingly
meet a cast member.
The Mt Somers conservation area (Te Kiekie), is a popular recreation
area for Canterbury residents and an ideal spot to take walks on the
Mt Somers walkway where there are historic coal mines, volcanic
formations, tussock grasslands, a deep river canyon and rugged bush
covered hills.
Woolshed creek is about 10km along the Ashburton gorge road
from Mt Somers township and signposted. It has a lovely sheltered
picnic and camping area, with a stream, toilets and DOC information
panels.
The climb to the top of Mt Somers (1687m) is a 7-8 hour return
tramp. The Mt Somers Walkway is rated as one of New Zealand’s top
ten walkways and links Woolshed Creek and
Sharplin Falls near
Staveley. The Mount Somers Hut sleeps 14 and the Pinnacles Hut
sleeps 19. Both have mattresses and running water. Trampers need to
carry their own cookers. There are two huts on the Mount Somers
Walkway and hut tickets should be bought in advance
from a
DOC
office or the Staveley or Mount Somers stores.
The Ashburton Gorge Road:
This is a pleasant drive into the hills on a sealed road. Just a few
km from Mt Somers Village, the old stone cottage and
limestone quarry with relics like the wooden wheeled cart pictured
right is a place of interest, and below is a verse from the poem by
Tom Alexander which can be read inside the cottage.
Neglected
now for many years
The hard packed earthen floor
Has seen the tread of many feet
A hundred years or more
And at the end a fireplace large
A chain, an iron pot
How many times a family
Has shared this very spot
At
Hakatere there is a historic farm house and here the sealed road
ends and the gravel roads beyond may be difficult for inexperienced
drivers or cars with low ground clearance.
From about 2 km along the Erewhon road, there are some great views
and a lovely day walk to lakes Emma and Rondabout, or a climb to the
summit of the hill (1016 meters, & south of the Hakatere junction).
The Erewhon Road to Lake Camp:
The Erewhon road continues to Lake Camp which is popular for
power boats, waterskiing and swimming. (Picture top right) Lake Camp has many excellent camp
sites, but there are no facilities and lake water must be boiled
before use.
The
easy and lovely walk around the lake takes from 1 - 2 hours. At the
western end of Lake Camp there are some holiday homes with an
emergency telephone, and a stroll over the ridge will take you to
Lake Clearwater.
Lake Clearwater:
Popular with windsurfers, swimmers, fisher folk and canoeists, Lake Clearwater
is a small lake which can be walked around in 3 - 4 hours for people
of average fitness, and a picnic lunch makes for a pleasant day
trip. The swampy area at the western end of the lake requires some
care.
More challenging walks can be taken, to the south is the Harper
range (and the Rangitata river) which can be walked over or around and Mt Potts to the north
is a two day walk.
There is a spectacular landscape with views of the Southern Alps,
(Mt D Archaic, McClure Peak and other Mts). Lake Clearwater has a camp
ground with a public toilet, but no other facilities.
Lake Heron:
Turn right at Hakatere and the gravel road leads to the Maori
Lakes wetlands and Lake Heron wildlife sanctuaries.
Lake Heron a large alpine lake
popular with canoeists, but being exposed to strong winds, can have
large waves and canoeists must take special care. For enthusiastic
trampers, there are many walks, and
from Lake Heron there is walking access to the Upper Rakaia river,
a lake circuit and longer walks into the Taylor (north east) and
Palmer ranges (north).
Serious walkers/trampers and explorers are best served with the
topographical map of Canterbury No. 262-13 and hut bookings can be
made with
DOC
