Staveley: Walking Tracks, Lime Kilns and Ice Rink

Staveley combines early New Zealand industrial history with walking tracks at Mount Somers. The Staveley Ice Rink also shapes the town’s distinctive character: it is one of the few remaining outdoor ice rinks in New Zealand. The variety of tracks described is of interest to families and active travellers – from an easy circuit through native bush to a challenging, longer tramping trip.

Walking tracks for different day plans

The Sharplin Falls Track is an easy family walk through native bush to a cascading waterfall in the foothills of Mt Somers. The track leads to a viewing platform; the circuit is listed as taking about one hour. This makes it a clearly defined option for anyone planning a shorter walk. The starting point is at the end of Flynn Road in Staveley.

There is a shelter, toilets and an information board in the Sharplin Falls car park. These on-site facilities complement the information about the circuit and can help you fit the visit into your day’s plans.

The Mount Somers Track runs along the north side of Mount Somers from the Sharplin Falls car park to the Woolshed Creek car park. This two-day walk is suitable for families. If you divide the route into sections, you can use the stretch from the Sharplin Falls car park to Pinnacles Hut as a guide: it is 5.8 km long and the listed duration is 3.5 hours.

A longer and more challenging option is the circuit via the Mount Somers Track. It starts and ends at the Sharplin Falls car park. The section from Woolshed Creek Hut to the Sharplin Falls car park is listed as a challenging tramping track, 14 km long, with a duration of 8 hours. The circuit is longer and more challenging than the Mount Somers Track. These differences are especially helpful when weighing up a short outing, a two-day walk and a demanding trip for your visit.

Lime kilns and outdoor ice rink

Beyond the walking tracks, Staveley offers distinctive points of interest for a varied stay. The lime kilns were built in the late 19th century and are examples of early New Zealand industry. Access is via a marked track that crosses private farmland. The track starts at the car park at the end of Boyds Road, beyond the town of Staveley. Anyone interested in the country’s industrial history will find a specific historic destination here, distinct from the natural attractions in the surrounding area.

The Staveley Ice Rink has been in operation since 1951 and is surrounded by native beech forest and the Southern Alps. As one of the few remaining outdoor ice rinks in New Zealand, it is a distinctive feature of the town. Its long history and the setting described set it apart from the walking destinations; it is not the same as any of the routes mentioned.

Planning your stay in Staveley

When looking for holiday accommodation in Staveley, you could first consider what kind of outing you want to shape your trip. The approximately one-hour circuit on the Sharplin Falls Track is a different kind of walk from the two-day Mount Somers Track or the longer, challenging circuit. If you are also interested in history, you could include the lime kilns as another focus. This lets you choose a destination based on the experiences you want, without assuming short walking distances or a particular accommodation location.

Other destinations: Temuka, Waipara, Lincoln University, Burnham, Oxford, Maungati, Waikari, Tai Tapu.

For the wider travel overview: Canterbury.