Mount Peel facts for kids
Mount Peel is a tall mountain located in South Canterbury, New Zealand. It has three main peaks. The highest peak is called Mount Peel, which stands at about 1,743 meters (5,719 feet) tall. The other two peaks are Middle Mount Peel (1,583 meters or 5,194 feet) and Little Mount Peel/Huatekerekere (1,311 meters or 4,301 feet). Mount Peel is partly owned by the Department of Conservation and also by Mt Peel Station. It is found just south of the Rangitata River and is about 22 kilometers (14 miles) northwest of Geraldine.
The Peel Forest Park Scenic Reserve is a large protected area near Little Mount Peel/Huatekerekere. It covers about 769 hectares (1,900 acres) and is the biggest reserve in the Geraldine area.
How Mount Peel Got Its Name
The forest near the mountain was named by Francis Jollie. He moved to the area in late 1853. Jollie decided to name the forest after Sir Robert Peel. Sir Robert Peel was a very important British politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He had passed away in 1850, which was the same year that the Canterbury region was founded. Both the mountain and the nearby small community of Peel Forest also took Sir Robert Peel's name.
Exploring Mount Peel's Tracks
Mount Peel and the surrounding Peel Forest are popular places for walking and hiking. There are many well-kept tracks for visitors to enjoy. You can find tracks for all different climbing abilities. Some are short walks that take only 30 minutes. Others are longer hikes, known as tramps, that can take a whole day or even require an overnight stay.
There is also a smaller, less used track that connects Little Mount Peel to Middle Mount Peel and then to the main Mount Peel. Near the top of Little Mount Peel/Huatekerekere, you will find a small hut called the Tristram Harper Memorial hut. This hut has a place to collect rainwater, two beds, and a basic toilet. At the very top of Little Mount Peel, there is a trig station, which is a marker used for surveying. On top of the main Mount Peel, you will see a cell tower and a communication hut.
Plants and Animals of Peel Forest
Peel Forest is home to many unique plants and animals. Some of the largest trees in the forest belong to a very old plant family called Podocarpaceae. This family has existed for more than 100 million years! The three biggest trees you can find here are the kahikatea (also known as white pine), the tōtara, and the mataī (or black pine).
At least ten different kinds of native birds live in the forest. These include the bellbird, silvereye, tomtit, rifleman, and grey warbler. You might also spot the kererū (New Zealand pigeon), fantail, shining cuckoo, and longtailed cuckoo. Besides birds, there are also many lizards, such as the jeweled gecko and McCann's skink.
