Canterbury's Inland Scenic Route

The Inland Scenic Route travels along former State Highway 72 along the foothills of the Southern Alps. I pulled off the road at a tiny settlement named Alford Forest. A pair of Moa sculptures made from No. 8 fencing wire had caught my eye.

Evidence of Moa have been found in the Mt Somers and Alford Forest areas. These large extinct birds weighed up to 235kgs and stood more than three metes high. Gizzard stones have been found in large quantities around Mt Somers. Moa grazed on many different kinds of plants, with most of their diet made up of woody plants. Maori lore state that Moa made screeching and booming sounds - some noises were like a rattle. They nested in dry caves and under rock overhangs.

In 1883 stones found in Alford Forest were thought to be diamonds, this lead to a brief 'diamond rush' in the area but the 'diamonds' ending up being identified as worthless crystals.

Alford Forest Hall

Not much further south is a small community 'Staveley'. This little settlement was named after Robert Staveley who was a run holder in the area.

The Staveley Cafe and Store (established in 1876) is well known for delicious home-baked goods, NZ famous sausage rolls and award winning coffee. 

To the left of the Staveley Cafe and Store is the 'Topp Lodge' - owned and operated by Lynda Topp and her partner Donna Luxton.

Beside the entrance to 'Topp Lodge' is Staveley's Presbyterian church.

The ex-Springburn School building was relocated to a site in Staveley in 1996 after the school closed down. It's now used as the Staveley Historical and Geological Centre and has artefacts and photos of the Foothills district of Mid-Canterbury, sharing history of the area.

Across the road is the Staveley Hall.

A couple of kilometres further along a country road is the beginning of the walk to 'Sharplin Falls'. 

Sharplin Falls carpark is one of the starting points for the Mt Somers Track which has a variety of walks ranging from day walks to multi-day tramps.

Unfortunately the Sharplin Falls track was closed because of rock fall. I walked along as far as I could.

The Bowyers Stream footbridge was still usable (or at least I hoped it was as I was walking across it!).

It was an easy walking track, with climbing wild clematis growing on and among some native trees.

I never tire of seeing so many shades of green and love seeing the new fern fronds about to unravel.

Flowers going along the river bank.

 Even the drive out was scenic.

Heading down the back road to the Inland Scenic Route I passed an interesting looking home.

It's hard to see by looking at the photo below - these bee hives were in a paddock littered with buttercups and clouded with busy, buzzing bees - I'd love to sample that honey.