Mount Cavendish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Cavendish |
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Mount Cavendish with the gondola on its peak
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 448 m (1,470 ft) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Christchurch |
| Parent range | Port Hills |
Mount Cavendish is a cool mountain in the Port Hills of New Zealand. From its top, you can see amazing views of Christchurch and Lyttelton. This mountain is actually part of an old, extinct volcano that helped create Lyttelton Harbour. You can even see some awesome lava flows on Mount Cavendish, showing how the volcano once worked!
The Story of Mount Cavendish
Mount Cavendish became a special protected area in 1910. This happened thanks to the Morten Brothers, who gave the land to the Crown. In 1912, a man named Harry Ell first called it "Hill Morten." He did this to thank the Morten family for giving land for the Summit Road and other scenic spots.
The name Mount Cavendish was first used for a different nearby mountain in 1848. That mountain is now called Mount Pleasant. But the name "Mount Cavendish" eventually moved to the peak we know today. It was named after a person called Lord Richard Cavendish. He was part of the Canterbury Association, which helped settle the area.
What is Mount Cavendish Like?
Mount Cavendish stands 448 metres (about 1,470 feet) tall. It is part of the Mount Cavendish Scenic Reserve. This reserve is located at the top of the Heathcote Valley. It's also very close to the northern entrance of the Lyttelton Road Tunnel.
How to Get to Mount Cavendish
You can reach Mount Cavendish in a few ways. It's about 10 kilometers from Dyers Pass by road. It's also 4.7 kilometers from Evans Pass if you take the Summit Road.
If you like walking, you can use the Crater Rim Walkway. Another path is the Bridle Path. This path connects Heathcote Valley with Lyttelton.
The easiest way to get to the top is by riding the Christchurch Gondola. The gondola's starting point is on Bridle Path Road in Heathcote Valley. The gondola first opened on November 24, 1992. It had to close after the big 2011 Christchurch earthquake. But don't worry, it reopened in March 2013!
