Walking adventures in Waitaha Canterbury
There is no better way to immerse yourself in heritage locations than by foot. This essential Tohu Whenua Waitaha Canterbury walking guide takes you to tracks along seaside cliffs, through an ancient forest, and deep into high country conservation land. Here are four walks that combine Waitaha Canterbury’s unique history with spectacular scenery.
Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway
Head into coastal wildlife, rich history and clifftop views on this 11-kilometre Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway loop. Information panels along the route provide insights into the area's history, geology, and ecology. With over 800 years of complex Māori history, it is also the site of nineteenth century whaling ventures; you will pass historic pā sites (Ngā Niho Pā), remnants of early European settlements (Fyffe House) and vibrant marine life on the tidal platforms. Keep an eye out for tōhora (southern right whale), rimurapa (bull kelp), kekeno (seals) and kōura (crayfish). This is a unique opportunity to get amidst the birds and animals that make the Kaikōura peninsula their home.
Walk details: Suitable for families, on an easy to intermediate walking track. The whole loop takes three hours, but you can also explore a range of shorter tracks. Parking and access from Kaikōura township, Point Kean and South Bay.
Awaroa Godley Head Loop Track
The 9-kilometre Awaroa/Godley Head Loop Track leads you around this dramatic headland, with views of Lyttelton Harbour and Banks Peninsula. The track offers the chance to explore one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most intact and extensive coastal defence systems built during World War II. The restored Godley Head Battery buildings, accompanied by interpretation and murals, tell the story of this strategic counter-bombardment outpost and the people who lived and worked here. Keep an eye out for a side quest to the historic Scott’s Cabin with ties to Captain Scott’s failed 1911 Antarctic expedition.
Walk details: Suitable for families, on a flat-to-gentle gradient, with a few uphill sections. The loop takes three hours, with access from either Onepoto Taylor’s Mistake carpark or Godley Head carpark.
Pūtaringamotu Riccarton Bush
Pūtaringamotu Riccarton Bush is the only area of podocarp forest remaining in Ōtautahi Christchurch. Explore the lush ngahere (forest) via the 1.5-kilometre loop track. The sanctuary is free to enter and protected by a predator proof fence. Step softly and you might see native birds such as kererū (wood pigeon), korimako (bellbird), pīwakawaka (fantail), and riroriro (grey warbler). Learn about the cultural and ecological significance of the bush and the conservation efforts to protect its biodiversity. Pūtaringamotu has deep cultural ties to Ngāi Tūāhuriri and is the remnant of a larger forest that was a kāinga nohoanga (place of settlement) and kāinga mahinga kai (food-gathering place).
Walk details: The bush has several short tracks including Te Ara Taonga Māori and Te Ara Kahikatea. The tracks are flat, and wheelchair and pram friendly.
Ōtuwharekai: Hakatere heritage
Set amidst the dramatic landscapes of Hakatere Conservation Park, the Hakatere buildings are the gateway to Ōtūwharekai Ashburton Lakes; an area of outstanding cultural importance to Ngāi Tahu. This is the perfect place to learn about the social history of the region before heading onwards to awe-inspiring mountain country, tussock lands, beech forest and sparkling clear rivers and lakes.
Walk details: continue on Hakatere Potts road to the Lake Clearwater tracks. From Lake Clearwater you’ll find a variety of walk options. The 10-kilometere Lake Clearwater Circuit is an easy three-hour loop of the lake shore. The Lake Clearwater to Mount Guy summit and Lake Clearwater to Mystery Lake tramping tracks offer more challenging day tramps for keen walkers.
