This area provides visitors with a range of walks through remnant native tawai/beech and podocarp forest and offer panoramic views across the Plains and North Canterbury.
Only 45 minutes north of Christchurch - explore the natural environment ...
This area provides visitors with a range of walks through remnant native tawai/beech and podocarp forest and offer panoramic views across the Plains and North Canterbury.
Only 45 minutes north of Christchurch - explore the natural environment ...
Covering 1,700 hectares, the forest has two picturesque picnic areas - one at Lake Janet and the other at the Grey River, both have picnic tables and toilets. There is a wide variety of both native and introduced birdlife.
Mt Grey/Maukatere Forest is 15kms east of Amberley. At Amberley take Douglas Road. This road branches off the main road to Broomfield becoming Cramptons Bush Road after the Brodies Road intersection.
Access is not available through Ashley Forest from Rangiora.
Vehicle access is limited to forest roads between Lake Janet and the Grey River Picnic Area. Watch for heavy vehicles and logging trucks through these privately owned forests. During periods of high fire risk, the gate on Cramptons Bush Road will be locked. Check with Rayonier NZ on 03 310 7612 or 0274 809 279.
Mountain biking is only permitted on formed gravel roads in the area.
Starting at the northern end of the Grey River picnic area, this loop-trail is ideal for families.
It is a fine example of the diversity of native bush on the Canterbury Plains, passing through mixed tawhai/podocarp forest, including black beech/tawhai, rimu, kahikatea and matai.
A highlight of the trail is oyster shells embedded in a bank 700 metres above sea level. These are thought to be 10-20 million years old, indicating where the coastline was at that time. Please leave for all to enjoy. Close by is a cave which was created by water erosion.
Time: 1 hour return
From the north end of the Grey River Picnic area, the track climbs steadily through native bush and areas of pine, opening to tussock and the summit of Mt Grey/Maukatere (934m). Ten minutes after leaving the picnic area a short track on the left (not signposted) leads to the gorge pools. Mt Grey is named after Sir George Grey, Governor and Premier of New Zealand between 1845 and 1879. Maori named the mountain “Maukatere” (floating mountain) because of the spirits of the dead were believed to leave from the summit on the long journey to Cape Reinga. There are superb panoramic views of the Canterbury Plains.
Time: 2–3 hours one way
This route descends from the summit of Mt Grey/Maukatere through tussock grasslands, tall red beech/tawhai and mountain beech/tawhai, and Hall’s totara to the Grey River Picnic Area. Beware of wasps on this track in summer.
Time: 3–5 hours one way
