One of its boundaries lies in part alongside State Highway 73 and is adjacent to the eastern flanks of the Southern Alps.

The bush provides a habitat for the tītīpounamu (rifleman), korimako (bellbird), miromiro (tomtit) and riroriro (grey warbler).

[5][6] In 2020, the Department of Conservation began trying to eradicate wilding pines from the ground, including taking out conifer seedlings by hand.

At Mount Bruce, chainsaws were used to cut down 30 hectares of mature Douglas Fir and helicopters were used to fly the wood out.

[5][7] Craigieburn Valley Track begins beside the Craigieburn Valley ski field road, 1.5 km from State Highway 73, and passes through mountain beech forest until it reaches alpine tussocks near the ski field huts and car park.

[2] This tramp crosses the Cass saddle (1326 meters high) before descending to the comfortable 20 bunk Hamilton Hut.