Discover Alford Forest and beyond
Welcome to the heart of New Zealand's South Island, where adventure and natural beauty await.
Alford Forest and its surroundings offer a treasure trove of experiences.
Explore our local gem: Mt Alford
The Mt Alford Track takes you to the summit of Mt Alford (1,171m).
The marked track passes through Alford Scenic Reserve before climbing beside a stream gully clothed in beech/tawhairauriki and then emerges onto tussock/wī grassland. The route through this open section is on private land, so please follow the track markers.
The access then re-enters public conservation land and climbs through subalpine vegetation to the summit
From the summit there are wide views across the Canterbury Plains and the inland mountains.
For more information, head to the DOC website.
Local Activities
There are many activities just a short drive away.
The Sharplin Falls Track near Staveley is a popular 2.4 km return walk. The family-friendly trail takes about 45 to 60 minutes to complete, featuring beech forest, impressive bridges, and a waterfall viewing platform.
Awa Awa Rata Reserve invites you to discover a network of walks ranging in length from 10 minutes to 2 hours. The varying difficulties make this reserve perfect for all ages and fitness levels.
For those seeking pure relaxation, Opuke Thermal Pools and Spa in Methven is an award-winning, premium hot pools and wellness destination.
Our service town of Methven, only 10 minutes from Alford Forest, offers many amenities, including supermarkets, petrol stations, cafes and restaurants.
Seasonal activities
Nestled amongst native bush, the Staveley Ice Rink is a memorable experience for the whole family when it comes alive with laughter and icy fun.
Mt Hutt offers world-class skiing, snowboarding, as well as sightseeing and has been voted New Zealand's Best Ski Resort 10 times in a row. Time to get shredding!
For the slightly warmer months, Mt. Hutt Bike Park boasts a 40km+ trail network, from a family-friendly XC loop to epic single track, double-black diamond technical descents. There are also plenty of climbs to link it all together.
On a warm day, Taylor's Stream Reserve is a good place to relax and cool off, with a few swimming spots to choose from.
A bit further afield
Around a 45-minute drive from Alford Forest, you'll find Hakatere Conservation Park, centred on the Ashburton Lakes District and bordered by the braided Rakaia and Rangitata rivers.
Covering nearly 60,000 hectares of mountains, tussockland, beech forest, and clear rivers and lakes, the park includes eleven lakes and numerous tarns across a largely unmodified high country landscape.
For any Lord of the Rings fans, head up to the top of Mount Sunday, famous as the filming location for Edoras (the capital of Rohan).
