It is a walk on private grounds. At the start is an honesty box to put in $10 pp as the farm owners
look after the track and what a wonderful track it is. It is well sign posted and it takes you through
an ancient volcanic canyon and past beautiful water falls.
At the top you look out over the Canterbury plains. The track guide tells us that the plains are 250 km in length and 60 km in width. They are formed by rock and gravel eroded from the southern Alps and deposited by the alpine fed rivers.
The Washpen fall received it name as it is situated in the Whaspen Creek. In the past the sheep were washed in the creek, because the farmers thought the wool would sell better in England that way.
My daughter who is staying for a week with us enjoyed the walk
I always enjoy the look and sound of happy murmuring streams
A rest at the stone lake which was dug by hand by Tom stone in 1920 and used as water storage.
A beautiful shelter is build next to it which can be used for parties
The lake looks even more beautiful from the other side
A little hydro-electric power plant provided electricity to the farm for 40 years.
I am sure I am going to do this one again one day. After the walk we had a nice lunch in Darfield
on our way back to Christchurch.
I am sure I am going to do this one again one day. After the walk we had a nice lunch in Darfield
on our way back to Christchurch.