Glentunnel (known as Surveyors Gully until 1875[3]) is a village located in the Selwyn District of the Canterbury region of New Zealand's South Island.

Originally named ‘Surveyors Gully’, Glentunnel, derived from the tramway tunnel in the glen that gave access to the Homebush coal mine.

Coal was discovered in 1871, along with deposits of fine clay, which lead to the establishment of a brick, tile and pottery works that survived until the 1980s.

In February 1876, the 1600hrs train to Christchurch had left Whitecliffs when an accident occurred at a sharp bend above the Selwyn Rapids.

Few remnants of the railway remain in the town, with the station's platform incorporated into the backyard of a private residence.

St Luke's Anglican church used to be situated on the corner of State Highway 77 and Victoria Street.

The Malvern Record[7] reports: "At approximately 2.15am on Wednesday the 18th of June the alarm was raised to a fire at the Glentunnel Hall.

The historic Homebush Homestead, located four kilometres east from Glentunnel was extensively damaged by the 2010 Canterbury earthquake, so much so that it has been described as being "practically in ruins".

[9] The bell tower of the historic St John's Church (built in 1911) partially collapsed, causing damage to the nave and destroying the organ.

[10] In May 2021, the Hororata Golf Course (located in Glentunnel) suffered severe damage caused by flooding from the breached Selwyn River, with it being "largely unrecognisable" as a result.

[14] The Glentunnel statistical area, which also includes Coalgate, Hawkins, Homebush and Whitecliffs, covers 157.17 km2 (60.68 sq mi).

The aim is to encourage native birds to repopulate the region, as well as have a safe 'green path' from the Southern Alps to Lake Ellesmere, in between the two rivers (Rakaia and Waimakariri).

These include the River Walk, a walkway that follows the Selwyn River from the camping ground to the one-lane bridge at the western end of Glentunnel, and the Millennium Walkway, which follows the former tramway route up to the disused tunnel which gave the township its name.

To the south of the domain is the Glentunnel campground, which is popular during the summer months for its location next to the Selwyn River.

This was one reason as to why the railway was built, but industrial activity declined sharply in the 20th century and has been effectively non-existent since the 1980s.

[24] The Glentunnel Brickworks was located at the end of Philip Street, operating from 1875 until its closure on 31 October 1983.

Cafés, a community centre, garage, library, museum, playground and a post office are also located in the village.