It is located near the Peel Forest Park Scenic Reserve and about 23 kilometres (14 mi) north of Geraldine.

The town features a Cafe & Bar, a camping ground and an outdoor recreation facility.

They were both part of Ārai Te Uru's ill-fated trading trip along the Canterbury coast.

[3] Torlesse named the area "Gurdon Forrest"[3] this was later renamed in the memory of Sir Robert Peel by Francis Jollie.

Kahikatea, matai and totara were all milled in the region and the remains of the sawpits can still be found at Clarke Flat today.

A horrified Arthur Mills who was visiting in 1881, was so taken back by the devastation that he personally purchased 16 hectares of untouched forest.

The church is well known for its wooden interior and unique New Zealand twist to its traditional stained glass windows.