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Mt Thomas Conservation Area
11.7 km
5 hours
754 metres
If you’re looking for a proper Canterbury day out that balances a heart-pumping climb with some of the most expansive views in the region, the Mt Richardson Track needs to be on your list. Tucked away in the Mt Thomas Conservation Area, just an hour’s drive from Christchurch, this loop offers a classic North Canterbury tramping experience. It’s the kind of walk where you’ll definitely feel the burn in your thighs, but once you’re standing on the summit looking out over the patchwork Canterbury Plains, every bit of effort feels worth it.
Whether you are a local looking for a weekend workout or a visitor wanting to see the "High Country" without driving all the way to the Southern Alps, Mt Richardson delivers. It is a diverse circuit that transitions from lush native forest to rugged, wind-swept ridges. Plus, it’s a fantastic option for those who want to bring their four-legged friends along, as the track is dog-friendly (just keep them under control). While it's rated as "hard" and classified as an advanced tramping track by the Department of Conservation, fit families will find it a rewarding challenge for adventurous kids who are used to steep terrain.
The journey usually begins at the Glentui picnic area, a lovely, sheltered spot at the end of Glentui Bush Road. As soon as you step out of the car, you’re greeted by the cool, damp scent of the tawhai (beech) forest. The initial section of the track is a gentle introduction, but don’t let that fool you—the mountain has plenty of "up" in store.
The ascent via the Mt Richardson Track is a steady, uncompromising climb. You’ll be navigating a classic New Zealand forest floor, which means plenty of tree roots and occasional muddy patches, especially after a typical Canterbury southerly. This part of the walk is a bit of a "slog," as locals might call it. You’re enclosed in the canopy for a good portion of the climb, which provides excellent shade on a hot summer day but means you have to work for your views.
As you gain elevation, the vegetation begins to shift. The tall beech trees give way to the stunted, prehistoric-looking Dracophyllum (turpentine scrub) and hardy tussocks. This is your first sign that the summit is nearing. The air gets a bit thinner, the wind a bit sharper, and suddenly, the world opens up.
Ample parking is available at the Glentui picnic area, located at the very end of Glentui Bush Road. This is the primary trailhead for the Mt Richardson Track and its connecting loops. A long drop toilet is also available at the picnic area.
Get DirectionsKeep an eye out for these native and local bird species along the trail
Rhipidura fuliginosa
Small insectivorous bird with distinctive fan-shaped tail. Friendly and curious, often following walkers through the bush.
Best time: Year-round
Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae
Endemic New Zealand honeyeater with distinctive white throat tuft and iridescent plumage. Known for its complex and beautiful song.
Best time: Year-round
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Loop
Reaching the 1047-metre summit of Mt Richardson is a genuine "wow" moment. On a clear day, the 360-degree panorama is nothing short of spectacular. To the west, you can peer into the remote Lees Valley and across to the rugged Puketeraki Range. Turn around, and the vast Canterbury Plains stretch out like an endless quilt, meeting the blue arc of Pegasus Bay and the Pacific Ocean in the far distance.
To complete the loop, most hikers continue along the Blowhard Track. The name is a bit of a giveaway—this ridgeline is exposed and can be notoriously breezy, but the walking is sublime. You’re essentially walking on top of the world with continuous views. Finally, you’ll hook into the Bypass Track for the descent. Be warned: your knees will get a workout here. It’s a steep trip back down through the forest, eventually depositing you back at the Glentui picnic area for a well-earned rest.
The undeniable star of the show is the summit of Mt Richardson. Unlike some peaks where the view is partially obscured by bush, this is a true 360-degree vantage point. It’s the perfect spot to pull out the thermos and a sandwich while you try to spot the Banks Peninsula on the horizon.
Another highlight is the ridge walk along the Blowhard Track. There is something incredibly liberating about walking along a high-altitude spine where the land falls away on both sides. It offers a sense of scale that you just don’t get from the forest floor.
For those interested in native flora, the transition zones are fascinating. Watch how the lush tawhai forest transforms into the alpine scrub. The Dracophyllum plants, with their long, pointed leaves, look like something out of a Dr. Seuss book and are a hallmark of the New Zealand high country.
Getting to the trailhead is straightforward. From Christchurch, head north towards Rangiora or Oxford. If you go through Oxford, follow Ashley Gorge Road, then turn onto Glentui Bush Road. Follow this to the very end, where you’ll find the Glentui picnic area.
The road is generally well-maintained, though it can be narrow in places. There is ample parking available, but on a sunny Saturday or Sunday, it can fill up quickly with locals heading out for their weekly "tramping fix." You’ll find a basic long drop toilet at the picnic area—it’s best to use it before you start, as there are no facilities once you’re on the mountain.
The Mt Thomas Conservation Area is a haven for native birdlife. Because the forest is relatively thick, you’ll often hear them before you see them.
A quick tip: If you stop for a break in the forest, sit quietly for five minutes. The birds are naturally curious and will often come closer once the sound of your heavy boots has stopped.
The Mt Thomas Conservation Area sits within the traditional lands of Ngāi Tahu. For centuries, these foothills served as important transit routes and mahinga kai (food gathering) areas for Māori moving between the coast and the inland plains.
The area is part of the "foothills" that stand as sentinels before the Great Divide of the Southern Alps. Geologically, these hills are composed largely of greywacke, the hard, grey rock that forms the backbone of New Zealand. Over the years, the area has seen various uses, from early colonial timber milling to its current status as a protected conservation area managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC). Today, it is a vital pocket of native biodiversity in a region largely dominated by farmland.
After five hours on your feet, you’ll likely be starving. The best place to head is the nearby town of Oxford (about a 15-minute drive).
Taking on Mt Richardson is more than just a hike; it’s a classic Canterbury rite of passage. It’s challenging, beautiful, and offers a perspective on the South Island landscape that you just can't get from the window of a car.
Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae
New Zealand wood pigeon, a large native bird with iridescent green and purple plumage. Important for seed dispersal of native trees.
Best time: Year-round
Zosterops lateralis
Small bird with distinctive white eye-ring. Commonly seen in flocks, feeding on insects, fruit, and nectar.
Best time: Year-round
Anthornis melanura
Endemic songbird with bell-like calls. Males are olive-green with a purple head sheen; females are browner with a narrow white-yellow stripe across the cheek.
Best time: Year-round
Gerygone igata
Small greyish songbird also known as Riroriro. Has a distinctive trembling song often heard before seen.
Best time: Year-round