Exploring Mt Vernon
Mt Vernon is one of several accessible peaks in the Port Hills of Christchurch on Summit Road. It sits on the rim of the Lyttelton Crater, above the town of Lyttelton and Lyttelton Harbour, northeast of Te Heru o Kahukura / Sugarloaf, and west of Upoko-o-Kuri / Witch Hill. From the car park, which is 1.5 km along the road from Sign of the Kiwi, you can enjoy a panoramic view before taking a short, sharp walk that ascends 60 metres to the 462 metre high summit of Mt Vernon.
From Ancient Volcano to Farm Park
The peak is part of the ancient rim of the Lyttelton Volcano, which erupted around 11 million years ago. The volcanic origins of the peak are evident in its rugged basalt outcrops and steep tussock-covered slopes.
Today, it is part of the Mount Vernon Farm Park, a working hill-country farm that also functions as a public reserve. A walking and biking track up the park from Christchurch provides sweeping views across the Canterbury Plains to the Southern Alps. It is also a decent workout, with a 300-metre ascent from Hillsborough Road between the suburbs of Hillsborough and Huntsbury.
Walk to Upoko-o-Kuri / Witch Hill
Just a bit further west from Mt Vernon, you'll find Upoko-o-Kuri / Witch Hill. Here, you can hike another peak, which is more engaging because of its rocky summit, intriguing name and the WWI memorial at the top. The ascent is more challenging than Mt Vernon. You can easily do the top peaks, with outstanding views, in a couple of hours.
How to get there
To reach Mt Vernon, take Dyers Pass Road from Christchurch and turn left onto Summit Road at Sign of the Kiwi, located on Dyers Pass. Drive 1.5 km to find the car park. From here, you can follow the informal track to the summit.
There are numerous other places to explore around the Port Hills and the wider Banks Peninsula. These include Governors Bay on Lyttleton Harbour, Godley Head, Akaroa and Summit Road above Akaroa Harbour, another enormous volcanic crater.
