Mt. Sunday
Edoras
Born high up in the spectacular Southern Alps, the Rangitata River is created by snow-fed tributaries and forms an alluvial shingle fan, with an associated large valley, virtually surrounded by towering mountains. Within this basin the terminal moraine of ancient glaciers have created rocky outcrops that seem to sprout from the shingle. One of these, Mt Sunday, was used to create Edoras and Meduseld, King Theoden's hall, in Tolkien's realm of Rohan, the land of fabled horses and valiant warriors.
Descending into the Rangitata Valley Mt Sunday can be seen straight ahead, surrounded by brown tussock and tributaries of the braided river. There is no access to the mountain itself and the best views are obtained on the unpaved road as it passes the entrance to Mt Potts Station.
One of the more elaborate sets, Edoras, took eleven months to complete and created great interest with many Cantabrians who, armed with binoculars and cameras, travelled in over the weekends to catch a glimpse of the magnificent edifice. A cheeky newspaper journalist hired a light aircraft to fly over the area, obtaining a photographic scoop, with the images published worldwide.
Mt Potts is a high country station of 2700 ha and stretches from an altitude of 500 m to 2300 m. Approximately 70% is summer hill country and home to hardy New Zealand merino sheep. Accommodation in an alpine lodge or cottages on the station provides the perfect opportunity to experience life in che high country with a restaurant providing delicious home-cooked meals after a day of tramping, fishing or just quietly reading a book.
Descending into the Rangitata Valley Mt Sunday can be seen straight ahead, surrounded by brown tussock and tributaries of the braided river. There is no access to the mountain itself and the best views are obtained on the unpaved road as it passes the entrance to Mt Potts Station.
One of the more elaborate sets, Edoras, took eleven months to complete and created great interest with many Cantabrians who, armed with binoculars and cameras, travelled in over the weekends to catch a glimpse of the magnificent edifice. A cheeky newspaper journalist hired a light aircraft to fly over the area, obtaining a photographic scoop, with the images published worldwide.
Mt Potts is a high country station of 2700 ha and stretches from an altitude of 500 m to 2300 m. Approximately 70% is summer hill country and home to hardy New Zealand merino sheep. Accommodation in an alpine lodge or cottages on the station provides the perfect opportunity to experience life in che high country with a restaurant providing delicious home-cooked meals after a day of tramping, fishing or just quietly reading a book.