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Tracks & walks

Canterbury

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Canterbury

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Places to visit in the Christchurch & Banks Peninsula area

Christchurch & Banks Peninsula

The Christchurch & Banks Peninsula area includes many wonderful scenic walks and tramps that provide recreational opportunities for people of varying fitness and skill levels.

List these tracks by category:

Banks Peninsula tramping tracks

Tramping tracks around Banks Peninsula provide a challenging day or multi-day tramp. They are suitable for people with moderate to high level backcountry skills and experience as tracks may be rough and steep.
Category: Tramping track
Alert: Nikau Palm Gully is closed due to danger from falling rocks after the February 2011 earthquake. Packhorse track between Packhorse Hut and Mt Herbert Shelter closed due to rockfall danger. Some tracks closed for lambing August-October each year.

Banks Peninsula walking tracks

Walking times for tracks around Banks Peninsula range from 10 minutes to several hours, with walks suitable for people with low to moderate fitness and abilities.
Category: Walking track
Alert: Pigeon Bay Walkway closed for lambing from July to September each year.

Christchurch - Little River Railtrail

This 44 km-long walkway and cycleway, when completed, will run from Hornby (Christchurch) to Little River on the Banks Peninsula.
Category: Walking track ; Mountain biking - Beginner
Distance: 27 km
Alert: Dogs and horses are strictly forbidden on the Railtrail.

Godley Head walking tracks

The Godley Head WWII coastal defence battery sits atop sheer 120 metre-high cliffs. A network of walkways let you explore the site's historic and scenic attractions.
Category: Walking track
Alert: Godley Head: closed. All walking and mountain biking tracks in this area are also closed due to earthquake damage.

Ōtamahua/Quail Island tracks

This walk takes in historic sites such as the ships' graveyard and the quarantine barracks, as well as swimming and waterskiing beaches and a bird-watching barricade.
Category: Walking track
Distance: 4.5 km
Completion Time: 2 hr 30 min for complete island circuit

Ōtukaikino walk

This boardwalk loop through a wetland reserve in Christchurch city is suitable for people of all ages and abilities, and is accessible to wheelchairs and children's buggies.
Category: Easy access short walk
Distance: 1.2 km
Completion Time: 30 min
Alert: Ōtukaikino is now open.

Find out more

Publications

Walks for families in Canterbury brochure (PDF, 1820K)

Easy access walks - North Island
Easy access walks - South Island

Weather

Maps

Banks Peninsula conservation walks map (JPG, 100K)

Learn more

Track category definitions

Plan and prepare for your trip

Stop the spread of didymo
Check, Clean, Dry all items before entering, and when moving between, waterways.

Safety

Follow the Outdoor Safety Code:
1. Plan your trip
2. Tell someone
3. Be aware of the weather
4. Know your limits
5. Take sufficient supplies

Safety alerts for Canterbury tracks

Contacts

Mahaanui Area Office
Phone:	+64 3 341 9100

Email:
Full office details

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