[4] It is situated 170 kilometres (106 mi) west of the city of Christchurch and is set within Te Kahui Kaupeka Conservation Park in the Canterbury Region of South Island.

Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 1,340 metres (4,396 feet) above North East Gorge Stream in three kilometres.

In turn, the ship's namesake was Achilles, the mythological hero of the Trojan War who was known as being the greatest of all the Greek warriors.

[6] Prevailing westerly winds blow moist air from the Tasman Sea onto the mountains, where the air is forced upward by the mountains (orographic lift), causing moisture to drop in the form of rain or snow.

The months of December through February offer the most favourable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.