Herbert, Mt
Mt Herbert is the highest point of Banks Peninsula, at 920m. A walk up Mt Herbert is accessible via public transport from Lyttleton, and also be combined with a trip the summit of nearby Mt Bradley.
| List Status | Official |
| Elevation | 920 m (3,018 ft) |
| Location/List | South Island, New Zealand |
| Region | Canterbury |
| Location Coordinates | 43° 41′ 23″ S, 172° 44′ 29″ E |
| Nearest Town/s | Christchurch
|
| Range | Banks Peninsula Summit |
| Geology | Volcano |
| Recommended Route | |
|---|---|
Duration  |
4-8 hours (return or one-way, depending on the track taken) |
| Distance | 15.5 km (9.6 mi) |
| Start/End Points | Gebbies Pass, Diamond Harbour, Orton Bradley Park or Port Levy Purau Bay saddle |
| Difficulty |
Easy |
| Track conditions |
Track, Marked Route |
| Season |
Nov to July – closed for lambing August-October |
| Sights | Views around Banks Peninsula, Lyttleton Harbour, Southern Alps, the ‘Remarkable Dykes’ |
| Hazards | Mist , Steep bluffs |
Getting There
By Car
If starting from Gebbies Pass, drive from Christcurch via Governors Bay and at Teddington turn right to reach Gebbies Pass. If starting from Orton Bradley Park, Diamond Harbour, or Port Levy Purau Bay saddle, drive from Christcurch via Governors Bay and at Teddington turn left and continue around the coast until you reach these locations.
Public Transport
If starting or finishing from Diamond Harbour, Black Cat Cruises run a regular ferry service from Lyttleton to Diamond Harbour.
Google Earth Map
- You can also
view Herbert, Mt in Google Earth
NZ Topographic Map
Our Recommended Route
A trip up Mt Herbert can be completed via a number of different routes, and could also be combined with a walk to the summit of Mt Bradley. The routes are as follows:
- Return walk from Kaituna Valley, via Packhorse Hut: 4-6 hours return (closed for lambing Aug ? Oct).
DOC Description: “This track is well sign-posted and passes the farm, following vehicle tracks up a bush-filled valley before climbing onto a big spur. It then follows the spur for some distance before reaching a farm track past Parkinsons Bush Reserve. This leads to the saddle and historic stone hut, well situated for the views.”
- One-way walk from Gebbies Pass, via Packhorse Hut, Mt Herbert, and finish at Diamond Harbour: 5-6 hours
This route takes in both Mt Herbert and Mt Bradley. As it is one-way, you will need arrange transport at the end of the walk (e.g. have someone to pick you up, or take the ferry back to Lyttleton). After starting at Gebbies Pass, follow the track to the Packhorse Hut. From Packhorse Hut, the track angles up Mt Bradley (855 m). Do not attempt to go up if it is misty as there are bluffs on the Lyttleton side of Mt Bradley. Continue on to Mt Herbert, via a saddle and a Day Shelter. Mt Herbert is the highest point on Banks Peninsula at 920 m.
Views from Mt Bradley and Mt Herbert extend from Lyttleton Harbour and Banks Peninsula through to the Southern Alps. From Mount Herbert continue directly down to Diamond Harbour to complete the walk.
Of course, you could also simply return from either of the peaks and make this a return walk also.
- Return or loop walk from Orton Bradley Park to Mt Bradley, and return via same route or alternative track back to Orton Bradley Park: 5-7 hours.
Route Options
The DOC Banks Peninsula Conservation Walks brochure outlines a variety of options for walking on Banks Peninsula.
Height Profile
