Best 6 short walks in Christchurch

2. AVON RIVER LOOP

Discover a shared pathway following the Avon River as it wanders through central Christchurch. The trail is a discovery route of the impact of a significant earthquake on a city. The transitional shared walking and biking track along the Avon/Ōtākaro River explores the ‘red zone’ areas of the city where wholesale demolition of homes occurred due to earthquake damage. It is fascinating seeing nature reclaim streets and areas where suburban houses once stood. The track is a mix of shingle, sealed and closed roads unrepaired since the earthquakes, which have been used to create a trail from the city centre out to New Brighton. There are information plaques throughout the trail explaining the past.

• Length: 11 km (this trail can be walked / cycled in sections)

3. AVON RIVER KAYAKING

The gorgeous River Avon encapsulates the essence of Christchurch charms. Punting on the river is a must go experience yet many visitors are unaware that the city has thoughtfully designed kayaking ramps to access the river. From walking trails to floating on the river there is not a better way to explore the city than from the Avon River.

• Antigua boatshed hire kayaks for a convenient city escape
• Join a kayaking tour sea kayaking down the Avon River, from the city centre through earthquake abandoned suburbs to the Bexley Wetlands. For details check City to Estuary tours

4. SPEND A DAY ON QUAIL ISLAND

Ōtamahua/Quail Island is a small, inner harbour island that can be reached by ferry from Lyttelton. There is something exciting about catching a ferry and sailing across the Lyttelton Harbour to an island. Pest free Quail Island has a varied history from a pandemic quarantine station to ship wrecks.

Within 5 – 10 minutes visitors can be throwing the picnic rug down at a sheltered beach. The gently sloping beach is safe for swimming. Fossick at low tide among the rocks or beachcomb for shells. There are information plaques describing the story of the Barracks buildings. For visitors after more adventures there are shipwrecks to find and a bird watching hide for birding fans.

Maori called the island Ōtamahua, the ‘place to gather sea-bird eggs’. Bird life must have been important, for Captain William Mein Smith named it after the now-extinct native quail.

5. NEW BRIGHTON ESTUARY EDGE WALK

Delve into the life of an estuary and wander along a boardwalk, through salt marshes and past a pine forest on the Estuary Edge Walk. Beginning on the boardwalk, the track leads you through a picturesque seaside landscape, complemented by wetlands and the distant mountains. Once off the boardwalk the track leads through pine forest and past South Brighton Park before continuing along the edge of the Avon estuary. The boardwalk takes you over the salt marshes where wetland birds can be spotted and lovely views of the mountains and water surround.

The changing landscape is guaranteed to please families, dog owners and adventurers of all ages.

• Length: 2km
• Grade: Flat easy short walk

GODLEY HEADS WALK

A GREAT WALK HOWEVER THERE ARE CLOSURES …

Stunning views without the heavy lifting of strenuous hill climb. The walk has a touch of history with World War II gun emplacements and abandoned bunkers. To reach the historic sites is a short uphill climb however it is worth the effort for the stupendous views and the air of desolation of an abandoned military site. The site is brought to light with the evocative murals by Wongi Wilson.The gun emplacements have interpretative graffiti which celebrates the role of the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corp in running the place during WWII. It also has a lighted underground magazine to explore, as well as interpretation panels telling the history of the site.