After visiting the lakes in the lower section of the Hakatere Conservation area, we contintued up the valley towards Mount Sunday. As we reached the top of the hill we were able to look down the Rangitata River valley towards Mount Sunday.
We followed the dirt road towards the base of Mount Sunday where we picked up the walking track that would take us to the top of the small rise. Mount Sunday got its name as boundary riders from the neighbouring high-country stations would meet here on Sundays.
We crossed the beautifully clear river on a small swing bridge, keeping an eye out for the quinnat salmon that can be found in these streams.
After a short but steep climb up the track we found ourselves on the top of Mount Sunday. It was easy to see why the station staff would meet here as we had great views in every direction up both the Clyde and Havelock River valleys as they joined to form the Rangitata River.
More recently the area was used as the site of Edoras in the film the Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. Looking at the quiet river valleys it is hard to imagine the logistics that must have been required to turn this quiet, remote valley into a huge film set.
We made out way back down Mount Sunday and retraced our steps back to the car. After stopping off at another couple of lakes to try a spot more fishing, we eventually headed back Christchurch.