Activities at Lake Ellesmere/Te Waihora and Kaitorete Spit
Rail Trail
Other activities
Bird hide - Harts Creek
(Walk to bird hide - 40 minutes return)
Harts Creek Wildlife Management Reserve lies on the western margins of Te Waihora, within 40 minutes drive of Christchurch. The reserve provides an excellent habitat for wildlife including the threatened bittern, and is also a wildlife refuge.
The bird hide and boardwalk were built by the Ellesmere Lions Club.
To get there, go to Leeston, via Lincoln, turn left at Lake Road. Follow this road to the end (10 km) then turn left onto Harts Road for 1.5 km, then sharp left onto a shingle road to reach the car park.
Note: The boardwalk can sometimes be submerged during high lake levels. Please keep to the track as access crosses private land.
Gamebird hunting and fishing
Te Waihora is New Zealand's most popular recreational duck-shooting area. The lake also supports a diverse range of introduced and native fish including whitebait and tuna/eel. Te Waihora is an important mahinga kai (food basket) for local runanga.