Emily Falls, Peel Forest

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If you’re making the journey to Peel Forest then you’ll likely want to see a waterfall. It’s so much better walking through the bush when there’s something to see at the end of it all! We did the walk to Emily Falls recently and it was the perfect preparation for our hike up Little Mount Peel the next day – here’s what we saw.

Starting the Walk

We parked up at the car park (Blandswood, more on that later) and from there it’s a short walk up a gravel road to the start of the track. We noticed some structures that looked just like boat sheds – it reminded us of some of the roads on Stewart Island.

Walking to Emily Falls

According to the signs, the walk to Emily Falls should take around 40 minutes each way. We did in an hour (plus 10 minutes or so at the falls) and despite having a few uphill sections is pretty easy. We didn’t see anyone else on the track (we did when most people eat dinner though!).

There are a couple of small river crossings – take care when crossing and expect to get your feet a little wet. There are also some muddy sections on the track – wear your boots if you’ve got them.

READ MORE: The Big Tree Walk, Peel Forest

Emily Falls

You’ll need to cross the river again to see Emily Falls from the best angle. It’s a nice waterfall – definitely not going to impress anyone with its size, but it’s a nice spot to have all to yourself, and I reckon on a hot summer’s day it’d be a good place for a swim.

What About Rata Falls?

The track to Rata Falls branches off the one to Emily Falls, but it’s closed at the moment and has been for the best part of nine months. I have no idea when it’ll reopen, but when it does it’ll be cool to see two waterfalls instead of one.

Getting There

Peel Forest is located around 25 minutes from Geraldine, or just under an hour from Timaru. I grew up in Timaru and went there a few times as a kid, and I’d say it’d be a popular family spot on summer weekends.

The car park for the Emily Falls walk is located on Blandswood Road – just drive to the end and you’ll see it. You’ll have to walk up the road for a couple of minutes to the start of the track. The track to Little Mount Peel is further up that road.

Are you planning a trip to the mountains in New Zealand? Check out our post for the best walks, viewpoints and scenic drives in the Southern Alps.

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Jon Algie

I'm a South Island local -- born in Timaru and raised in Dunedin. I left the island in 2006 and returned 10 years later. Having seen a good chunk of the world I realised how special this place is -- the most beautiful island in the world! Seven years (and almost 400 posts) later I'm still helping locals and tourists alike plan their trips around the South Island.