Pioneer Park Conservation Area

Located in the Canterbury region

This 390-hectare conservation area has links with the early settlers of the district and has a wide variety of native and exotic trees. There are two walks as well as a campground.

32 km from Geraldine.

Follow the Geraldine Fairlie Highway (79) for 23 km then left onto Gudex Road. Take the next right onto Middle Valley Road. Follow this road for 2 km before turning left through iron gates into Pioneer Park.

Pioneer Park got its name in recognition of the early pioneer families who settled in this area; “to commemorate the courage and forbearance of the early settlers”.

William Burke was the first settler to drive a bullock cart over the pass (which now bears his name) into the Mackenzie country. Within the reserve, a chimney within a protective shelter, is all that remains of the a slab and daub hut he built here in 1885.