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Location & access
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route. Check the official route directions before travel.
Official location informationLocation source
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route.
Reference point: -43.88667, 171.26096. WGS84 coordinates retained at the official service's returned precision; decimal resolution is not survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
DOC Maps walking and tramping reference point (WGS84), exact official-page GUID / Department of Conservation. Checked 2026-10-12.
Key facts
- Distance
- 600-800 m one way
- Walking time
- 25-30 min
- Track grade
- Easy
- Location
- Peel Forest Park Scenic Reserve
- Dog access
- No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Checked against official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules and conditions are set by Department of Conservation — confirm with them before you go.
Route overview
This track takes you to the 14 m high Acland Falls from Clarke Flat or Te Wanahu Flat.
This DOC directory entry covers Acland Falls Track in Canterbury, within Peel Forest Park Scenic Reserve. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: 600-800 m one way
- Walking time: 25-30 min
- DOC grade: Easy
Access and alerts
Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
The sunnier and drier aspect of this northern flank of the park has produced vegetation strikingly different from that found elsewhere, dominated by fuchsia, māhoe, kōwhai and kānuka.
The falls can be accessed from Clarke Flat or Te Wanahu Flat.
From Clarke Flat
30 min, 600 m one way
This track climbs steeply before dropping down into a small stream. The falls (14 m high) are a short walk up the stream bed and are named after J.B. Acland of Mount Peel Station.
This walk can be made into a loop by coming back along the western section of Allans Track to Te Wanahu Flat, and then either crossing the road and walking down the steps to Kahikatea Walk and turning left back towards Clarke Flat or walking back down the road towards Clarke Flat.
From Te Wanahu Flat
25 min, 800 m one way
Follow the track from Te Wanahu Flat, turning right after about 500 m where Allans Track joins on the left. Once in the stream bed, a short walk upstream takes you to Acland Falls.
Getting there
Start from Clarke Flat or Te Wanahu Flat.
9.5 km north of Geraldine, turn off SH72 (Inland Scenic Route) into Peel Forest Road, which becomes Rangitata Gorge Road. Clarke Flat and Te Wanahu Flat are 600 m apart on Rangitata Gorge Road, approx. 14 km from SH72.
Sources and reuse
Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.
The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.
