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Our first en plein air location will kick off at a fantastic spot overlooking Texas Flat in the Craigieburn Ranges.Getting there: travelling from Springfield, go over Porters Pass on SH73 and head towards Castle Hill Village, you may be tempted to stop and paint on the side of the road as the view will blast you away, not a lot of safe spots to pull over so continue on! Around 2 minutes drive past Castle Hill ViILLAGE entrance (not the rocks!) you will come accross the Mt Cheeseman Skifield access road, turn left onto this gravel road, there will be signage for Cheesman skifield (currently closed) and for Forrest lodge and Texas flat, you are heading in the correct direction. About 2 minutes up this road you will come up onto a river terrace and follow the road in a straight line up onto a wee rise where there is parking on the left, look for my black SUV VW and park there. A google pin/coordinates will be provided, simply click on it and follow the google map directions to get there.
Travel time from Springfield: 35mins
Hazards: Remote location, Springfield has the last fuel stop, ensure adequate fuel supply.
Changeable weather: Cold/hot, sun, rain. prepare for all weather, bring warm clothing and sunscreen, hat, good boots or comfortable walking shoes, plenty of water and snacks (packed lunch if you intend to stay longer)
Gravel road: there are some potholes and corrugations, 2WDs will be fine as long as you watch out for these hazards and drive to conditions.
Cancellation: if the weather looks to be too bad for painting (wind or rain) the event will be cancelled the night prior, check your emails or the en plein air FB group prior to departure
Toilets: there are NO toilets onsite, the nearest public toilets are at Castle Hill Village, do utilise these if needed.
BYO supplies: come prepared with your own painting supplies or drawing, a folding camp chair is handy to relax in or paint from if you wish. Bring your own water container, there is a wee stream down the hill you can drive to but its easier to bring an extra bottle for painting water only. I will have a 20L container of potable drinking water for people who forget, this can be used for painting water also.
Have fun, relax and paint your way. At 11am we will gather for morning tea, byo mug, I will have some tea and baking to munch on and refresh ourselves, afterwards you are most welcome to continue painting on your own, or go for a hike, I do recommend driving further along the gravel rd to Texas flat about 1km away and go for a hike along Dracophllyium track or the hogsback track for the more fit. Visit Kura Tawhiti on the way home to explore the rocks and pop into Taste of Kiwi for lunch in Springfield on the way home.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Mount Cheeseman Skifield road, Canterbury , Darfield, New Zealand
