Best Child-Friendly Nature Walks in Christchurch
The simple act of getting out for a walk with your baby, toddler and/or children can do wonders for the whole family's mental health, and getting out on one of Christchurch’s scenic trails makes it just that little bit better.
Choosing tracks that are interesting for your little ones is key once they hit toddlerhood and start operating under their own steam. When you start looking, you’ll find that Christchurch offers a plethora of child-friendly walks - here are some of our top picks to get you started.
Pram Friendly
Travis Wetland
Travis Wetland is an easy, flat 3.5km loop walk great for prams, but bikes are prohibited. There is lots to explore along the way including tunnels to play in and an information kiosk with buttons to push and flaps to lift near the toilets at the main entrance off Frosts Road. There is lots of birdlife and an option to branch off to the bird hide a short way in (clockwise). The first half going clockwise is the most interesting for kids with a viewing tower, eels, and the bird hide - so if you want to complete the whole loop we suggest leaving the exciting bits for last as an incentive! If you just want a shorter wander then you can explore the fun bits and return the way you came!
Allendale Reserve to Governors Bay Track
Start at either end for a 2km, easy flat walk around the coastline perfect for prams and bikes. Allandale Reserve offers a picnic spot beside the water - or mudflats at low tide (perfect for some messy nature play) - and Governors Bay has a jetty to explore. There is lots of bird life and a couple of spots to stop and explore rocks, and there are toilet facilities located at Allandale Reserve.
Lake Rua
Lake Rua is a simple family picnic and hangout spot with an easy, 2km pram-friendly walk around the perimeter. There's plenty of greenspace for playing before or after your walk, and the lake is perfect for mucking around, watching the ducks and having a splash. There is also plenty of parking - but it can get packed on those hot Summer days!
Estuary Edge Walk
Another easy pram and bike-friendly walkway, offering 2km of track along the edge of the Avon estuary. It begins where Estuary Road meets Ebbtide Street taking you along boardwalks above the wetlands before heading through a pine forest. There is lots of birdlife to spot along the way and South New Brighton Domain is the midpoint with a jetty, mudflats perfect for natural messy play, and hunting crabs and snails. It also boasts a pretty cool playground, basketball courts and skate ramps! Also a good place to stop for a break as there are toilets here too. You can continue from here another 1km to Bridge St or turn back and call it a day.
Not Pram-Friendly:
Mt Vernon Valley Track
The Mt Vernon Valley Track offers a more interesting-for-kids alternative to the nearby Rāpaki Track. It meanders through native forest in the valley before opening up into farmland (with sheep to keep the kids entertained). The track continues to wind up the valley for 3.5kms to Summit Road at the of the Port Hills, however if you are just after a short walk you can stop about 800 metres in at a cool little shelter for snacks, then cruise back down to play in the trees or green space by the carpark. Just beyond the shelter there is a bit of a rock scramble for those kids keen on a bit of a technical challenge. If you’re pushing on for a longer adventure there is lots of grass to pull over and have snack breaks. Start from the Mt Vernon Valley Track Car Park at the end of Hillsborough Terrace, where there is signage with clearly marked trails on a map. Note there are no toilet facilities and the closest are at the bottom of Vernon Terrace, or at Hansen Park.
Cass to Corsair
This track can be walked in either direction, joining the two popular beaches Cass and Corsair Bay in Te Whakaraupō, Lyttelton Harbour. You'll walk for about one kilometre each way around the curves of the coastline with gently undulating terrain. Each beach has a playground for a play break mid-walk. There are plenty of crabs to find and rocks to explore at Cass Bay, and Corsair Bay sometimes has an ice cream truck in the carpark. There are public toilets at both ends, two levels of car parking space at Corsair Bay and a reasonable amount of street parking at the Cass Bay end.
Trig V
This walk is a fun little taste of the Port Hills, with stunning harbour views from the top. For kids, the track gently undulates through shrubs, farmland, rocks and over stiles to keep things interesting. There are cool insects to spot, including the Alexander Beetle, which is only found in Canterbury! Once you get to the top (only a 750 metre walk), you’ll find long grass and clusters of rocks to settle on (or jump off) for a snack break with a view. It begins at the Hoon Hay Car Park on Summit Road, near Worsleys Road and the track does continue on past the trig if you’re up for a longer walk. Make sure you check out the signs at the junction after a stile to make sure you’re on the right track. There are no toilets at this site.
Halswell Quarry
This one kilometre circuit takes you up to the top of the historical Halswell Quarry, which has fantastic views. It is a short, sharp grunt to get to the top and all downhill from there. There are bench seats at a small grassy clearing at the top, perfect for a snack spot and a play featuring little grassy hills to climb and jump off. Steps, information boards, views of the quarry, picnic areas and more keep this one interesting for kids, and there is a cafe at the bottom beside a historical house that is worth a look. The best parking is at the main car park off Kennedys Bush Road (where there are also toilets).
Southshore Spit Loop Track
This 1.5km trail loops through the sand dunes, with lots of play opportunities at the beach or the estuary to break it up. The estuary is an ideal spot to stop, so little ones can soak up some nature play before cutting back to the car on a diagonal back to the beginning. It starts at the end of Rockinghorse road where you can park on the street. There are toilets at the start.
Barnett Park Cave Loop Track
This is a 2.5km track that can be walked in either direction starting from Barnett Park on Bay View Road, in Moncks Bay. The fact you are walking to a cave provides a great incentive for kids to keep going! There are steps (so not pram friendly), but excellent views make it worth it. It can get slippery in winter and it is a bit of a slog to the top, but with great rewards.
Some other great family-friendly walks to check out further afield include:
Giant's Walk at Ashley Gorge
Ashley Gorge Loop Track
Grey River Nature Trail
Children Bay Loop
Glentui Loop
Note: be safe, be prepared, and do your own risk assessments when adventuring outdoors. https://planmywalk.nz/home is a great site to get you started preparing for your adventures.
Always check water quality at www.lawa.org.nz before playing in the water.
