The Best Day Walks From Christchurch, New Zealand
We’re spoilt for choice when it comes to walking tracks in and around Christchurch. If you’re after a nice flat stroll to a beautiful waterfall or maybe a slightly more challenging climb to overlook Mid Canterbury’s snow capped mountains - You don’t have to drive far from Christchurch to find the right track for you!
Having spent a large amount of time around our hometown Christchurch over the last year, (cheers COVID) we’ve started exploring and rediscovering all the incredible hikes in the region. Growing up in Christchurch, the go to for a walk was always somewhere up in the Port Hills. As stunning as the Godley Heads, Rapaki or Bridle Path tracks are, it’s been nice to find some new gems located just out of Christchurch.
In this guide we’ll list 5 of the best day walks just out of Christchurch all located within 75 minutes of the CBD. They’re perfect for the whole family to get out and about. These are sure to help to fill in those Sundays where you have no plans !
Top 5 day walks outside of Christchurch
Woolshed Creek Hut
This is easily our favourite walk in the Mid Canterbury area! The whole track takes you through such diverse landscapes from lush bush, to waterfalls, ridge lines, mountain views, swing bridges and of course the backcountry hut. It’s well worth your time, we promise!
Where is The Woolshed Creek Hut?
The Woolshed Creek Hut is located in Mid Canterbury in the Mount Somers area. The hut is nestled in tussock country and sits just above the Woolshed Creek. Make your way towards the Ashburton Lakes, past the Mount Somers village on Ashburton Gorge Road. Turn right onto Jig Road when you reach a sign saying “Mount Somers Track”. Continue following the Mount Somers Track & Woolshed Creek signs to the carpark at the end.
The hut sleeps 26 people inside and is a large well equipped and serviced hut. There is heating, water and a toilet!!! So fancy! Well compared to some of the other backcountry huts we’ve been to it is haha! The hut needs to be booked in advance and costs $15 for adults and $7.50 for the kids.
The Track
There are a couple of different route options to reach the hut. We took the Miners track to the hut which is a nice and steadily inclining 90 minute walk. It starts with a lovely stroll in the bush then leads to open tussocklands and even passes remnants of the old historic coal mine. From the hut we then decided to walk out the Mount Somers track which meets up with the Rhyolite Ridgeline Track and descends down to the carpark. We highly recommend this part of the walk as you’ll come across two waterfalls, a beautiful clear swimming hole called the Emerald Pool, and absolutely stunning views across the whole area. It is definitely a little more of a challenge though and will add a couple of extra hours onto your return trip (it took us 3 hours to get back to the carpark). Alternatively you could come out the same way you came in along the miners track if you’re wanting to stretch the legs but not build up to much of a sweat (this is possibly the best route with kids). You could always do the opposite of what we did and start on the Rhyolite Ridgeline track but beware it’s a steep climb to start!
The whole day was thoroughly enjoyable and we’re stoked to have found one of our new favorite walks in the area. You can guarantee we’ll be back to spend a night in the hut and to check it out after some good snowfall! PS. Sandflies hang around here so make sure to pack some insect repellant just in case!
If you’re hanging around the Mount Somers area definitely check out the Hakatere Conservation Park for some more amazing day walks.
Washpen Falls
The Washpen Falls. Described as ‘a pocket of paradise where moa once roamed’ and what an accurate description indeed. This is yet another walk that covers multiple different landscapes over the 3 hour loop track. Expect pine forest, caves, cliffs, views of the Canterbury Plains and OF COURSE the lush waterfall tucked away on this beautiful property. The Washpen Falls was actually a project that was started after a major volcanic blow created a deep canyon and gorge at Washpen Creek.
Where are the Washpen Falls?
The walk is only an hours drive from Christchurch and is situated on a farmers property just out of Windwhistle.
The track starts at an old Woolshed which then takes you through lush native bush. Emerging from the bush you’ll find yourself in a kinda creepy feeling pine forest. The track is maintained and easily accessible for all levels of fitness. As you come up to the highest point of the track, on a clear day you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the Canterbury Plains all the way out to sea. Continue on and you’re only another 10 minutes or so from the waterfall. The falls are tucked down the bottom of some stairs in there own little oasis. Spend some time just sitting and listening and maybe you’ll even get a visit from the local fantail (piwakawaka).
The track is a loop that will take no longer than 3 hours to complete.
Head past the waterfall and up the other side. You’ll then be greeted by what looks like is the start of what will be an outdoor bar and venue. Super cool! Next to the bar was a little lake and an old rustic dinghy which Goose couldn’t help but take out for a spin.
There is a small fee to help with the upkeep of the track. There is a donation box in the woolshed next to the carpark so make sure you bring some cash. $10 Adults & $5 Kids (under 15).
There are 2 accommodation options on the property too! A container tiny home or a slightly larger cabin called “The Chalet”. We can’t wait to come back and experience a night in the little tiny house :)
Rakaia Gorge Walkway
The Rakaia Gorge is a stunning part of the country! Beautiful old bridges, some of the bluest water we’ve ever seen and killer views of Mount Hutt.
The walkway is just under an hour out of Christchurch or less than 20 minutes from the local town of Methven.
If you’re coming from Christchurch, keep an eye out for the Jetboat carpark down the bottom on your left, before you reach the bridge. Walk through the carpark and up to the road walking towards the bridge. Keep an eye out for the lodge sign, the track starts across from that up to your right. You have the option of doing the full out and back track which will take 3-4 hours return. Alternatively if you’re wanting a nice easy Sunday walk, we’d recommend just walking up to the Rakaia Gorge Lookout Point. This will take a maximum of 1 hour return but will reward you with stunning views of the mountains and the Rakaia River.
Pop down to the waterfront for a picnic or to skim some stones and enjoy the fresh mountain air.
Gully Falls Track - Orton Bradley Park
Take a beautiful scenic drive over the Port Hills and along Governors Bay to the Orton Bradley Park. There are multiple tracks in the area but our favourite is definitely the combination of the Big Rock and the Waterfall Gully tracks. You’ll work up a sweat but we promise the views are worth it!
Where is the Waterfall Gully Track?
The Gully Falls are located in the Orton Bradley Park near Charteris Bay on the Banks Peninsula. Only a 40 minute drive from the Christchurch City Centre this is the perfect spot to come over for a day trip. There is a fee to park and use the facilities at the Orton Bradley park - $10 for a car load of people so the more you bring the cheaper it’ll be!
The track itself will take you around 2-3 hours return. You will be exposed for a lot of it so definitely pack the sunscreen. Keep in mind there are some steep spots along the track so although it’s not hard, you will need a reasonable level of fitness. We recommend taking the Big Rock track to begin as it rewards you with beautiful views over the bay. All tracks are signposted so follow the signs to continue on towards the Gully Falls. You’ll head back into the bush and this is when the track becomes a little more challenging, though it won’t be long until you find yourself at the first waterfall. That’s right! The Gully Falls are split into two with the upper and lower one. How good, two waterfalls for the price of one!
The second one (the upper) is definitely the most impressive and the area surrounding the falls is a little more open making it the perfect spot to park up for a little picnic.
Pigeon Bay Walkway
This is an awesome little walk that we had no idea existed until we found ourselves camping in the little town of Pigeon Bay, wondering what on earth there was to do there. Parking at the Pigeon Bay domain, there is a gate that gives access to the track. The easy track takes you along the east side of Pigeon Bay, out to the headland where you have incredible views over the ocean and of the Banks Peninsula coastline. The track is well signposted and starts near the coolest looking forest. Unfortunately it’s private property and you can’t enter said forest so we just took a photo at the entrance and continued on our way. Majority of the walk is along a vehicle track and if you come when it’s raining (like we did) it can be quite muddy and slippery so pack some good walking shoes.
The walk will take anywhere from 3-4.5 hours return depending on how many times you stop to take in the views. The highlight of the day for us was walking alongside the unfazed cows that live on the property. Maybe we’d been in Australia to long and when we did this track we were just so stoked to be home but, there’s something about cows that makes us so happy!
A few notes to remember.
This track isn’t always accessible - Closed for Lambing from 20 July to 20 November each year.
It’s private property so leave every gate how you found it.
The track is exposed the whole way. Pack sunscreen for a sunny day or a rain jacket on a not so sunny day.
For all you Christchurch locals we hope this guide gives you some inspiration to get out and about in your own backyard. Enjoy your adventuring and as always…
Toitu Te Whenua // Leave The Land Undisturbed
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