Banks Peninsula tramping tracks
Alert/Important notice
Some tracks closed for lambing August-October.
The section of walkway from Sign of the Packhorse Hut to the Mt Herbert Shelter is overgrown and difficult to navigate. We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause.
Tramping track
Getting there
Banks Peninsula reserves and tracks are widely scattered and best accessed by car. Akaroa, 83 km from Christchurch is situated on the edge of a deep harbour. Allow 1.5 hours driving as the Christchurch to Akaroa Highway climbs and turns steeply.
The roads on Banks Peninsula are winding, steep, narrow and not all are sealed. Some are four-wheel drive only. Parking is limited for some reserves. Drive cautiously.
About the area
Banks Peninsula was once a rich mosaic of plant and bird species. The few pockets which survive as reserves give some idea of the lost diversity.
Description
Sign of the Packhorse Scenic Reserve
Note: Closed for lambing August - October
Time: 3 - 4 hr return to hut
Start from a short side road off Kaituna Valley Road. The track is well sign-posted and passes the farm, following vehicle tracks up a bush-filled valley before climbing onto a big spur. It then follows the spur for some distance before reaching a farm track past Parkinsons Bush Reserve. This leads to the saddle and historic stone hut, well situated for the views.
The hut can also be accessed by tracks from Gebbies Pass and Mt Herbert.
The hut was one of a series of rest houses along the proposed Summit Road, along with the Sign of the Takahē, Kiwi and Bellbird. Built in 1917 of local stone, it sits on a saddle between the sea and the summit of Mt Bradley.
Mt Herbert/Te Ahu Pātiki
Note: Closed for lambing August - October
Time: 5 - 6 hr return
Can be accessed from Diamond Harbour Road or Orton Bradley Park. Can also be accessed from Packhorse Hut or Port Levy Saddle (via Summit Road Walkway)
This is a strenuous walk from the sea to the summit of Mt Herbert/Te Ahu Pātiki, the high point of Banks Peninsula.
The walkway mostly follows a farm vehicle track up a volcanic spur.
There is a shelter on the saddle between Mt Herbert and Mt Bradley.
Montgomery Park Scenic Reserve
Time: 10 min return to tōtara tree, 2 hr return to Rocky Peak
Drive to Hilltop on the Akaroa Highway then turn along the Summit Road for 2 km to a small area at the side of the road where you can park.
An outstanding feature of this reserve is a huge forked lowland tōtara which may be 2,000 years old and measures 8.5 metres around its trunk.
The tōtara can be reached after a few minutes walk into the bush which also features tōtara, mataī and fuschia/kōtukutuku.
The track winds up steadily through forest and then north through open grasslands and regenerating bush.
Good views are possible from this section of track. The track then turns and climbs steeply up a gap in the bluffs, over boulders. It reaches open tussock tops before eventually climbing onto “Rocky Peak”, with views of the peninsula and Akaroa Harbour.
Montgomery Track links up with the longer Summit Road Walkway Track.
Ellangowan Scenic Reserve
Time: 30 - 40 min return
From Akaroa, travel 7 km up Long Bay Road to the Summit Road junction known as the “Cabstand.” Turn onto Hickory Bay Road and travel 1 km to the sign-posted car-park.
From here walk down the road for 5 minutes to pick up the start of the track, marked with a DOC green and gold post. The track climbs to the ridge and then along to a rocky outlook on a 12 metre bluff near the centre of the reserve. It then drops down to meet with Hickory Bay Road, with a short walk back to the beginning.
This reserve is the northeastern limit of beech trees on Banks Peninsula. There is an excellent contrast between wetter and drier faces, and many of the rocky bluffs are home for a variety of interesting herbs.
Nikau Palm Gully Scenic Reserve
Note: Closed for lambing August - October
Time: 4 - 6 hr return
Crosses private land to reach Nīkau Palm Gully, so obtain permission to cross. Ring beforehand. Contact Jeff Hamilton, Onuku Farm Hostel, phone +64 3 304 7066.
From Akaroa follow Kaik Road 4 km to the road end at the front gate of a private farm hostel.
Follow a farm track from the hostel for about 1 hour 30 minutes, winding in and out of several headlands.
The scenic reserve is sign-posted with a cut track and staircase leading into the gully in the creek bed. Travel down the boulder bed of the creek to the waterfall with fine views along the sea-cliff faces. The size and number of nīkau palms is one of the best coastal forest remnants in Canterbury.
Tutakakahikura Scenic Reserve
Time: 1 hr
From Akaroa, take the Akaroa Lighthouse Road for about 7 km. Turn left onto Flea Bay Road - the reserve is signposted about 1 km from the turn-off.
These roads are steep, narrow, gravel roads suitable for 4 wheel-drive vehicles.
Tutakakahikura Scenic Reserve is a narrow stand of remnant red beech/tawairaunui forest, in a steep gully.
Red beech has a very limited distribution on Banks Peninsula, making this small reserve a significant regional feature.
A section of the Banks Peninsula Track passes through the reserve, at a reasonably easy grade. For use of the track outside the reserve, phone +64 3 304 7612, email bankstrack@xtra.co.nz
Walking down through the reserve and then back up the Flea Bay Road to the top creates a loop walk.
Summit Road Walkway
Note: Closed for lambing August - October
Time: 4 hr 30 min - 5 hr one way
This track goes from Montgomery Park Scenic Reserve to Port Levy Saddle.
Drive to Hilltop on the Akaroa Highway then turn onto the Summit Road for 2 km to a small parking area at Montgomery Park Scenic Reserve.
Alternatively, drive to Little River, turn north-east onto Western Valley Road towards Port Levy until you reach the Port Levy carpark.
As the track-ends are some distance apart, the easiest way to do this walk is to split into two groups walking in opposite directions, swapping car keys halfway.
The track follows the crater rim, with magnificent views of Banks Peninsula.
It passes through Whatarangi, Mt Sinclair and Mt Fitzgerald Scenic Reserves, forest remnants featuring tōtara, kahikatea, mātai.
Most of the track is in open country and is very exposed so be prepared for all weather conditions. There is little water along the way so take plenty with you.
The Port Levy end connects with a track that heads west along the ridges to the Mt Herbert Walkway and the Packhorse Hut This section of track takes about 2 hours to where it connects with the Mt Herbert Walkway. Refer to Mt Herbert / Te Ahu Patiki and Sign of Packhorse scenic reserve sections.
Note: the open land at the Hilltop end of the walkway is private property. Walkway users must exit via Montgomery Park Scenic Reserve.
Places to stay
This is a serviced eight-bunk hut in the Mahaanui area.
You need to buy hut tickets to stay in the hut. You can get these from DOC offices.
Plan and prepare
What to expect on a tramping track:
- Challenging day or multi-day tramping/hiking
- Track is mostly unformed with steep, rough or muddy sections
- Suitable for people with good fitness. Moderate to high level backcountry skills and experience, including navigation and survival skills required
- Track has markers, poles or rock cairns. Expect unbridged stream and river crossings
- Tramping/hiking boots required
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