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Banks Peninsula Walking Festival
Walking Banks Peninsula Banks Peninsula
Saturday 20th November - Sunday 21st November
8:00am - 5:00pm
Tags: history , Scenery , walks , tramping , hiking
Nau mai, Welcome to the 2021 Banks Peninsula Walking Festival.
The Banks Peninsula Walking Festival will be running every Saturday and Sunday from 6th-28th November.
This year’s programme is expected to be as popular as ever with a great variety of walks to enjoy on Banks Peninsula. Join the continuing multi-year Kaitorete Spit challenge, take the family on a Kid’s Adventure at Sugarloaf, or visit the new Te Ahu Pātiki conservation park in Whakaraupō/Lyttelton Harbour! Try out a digital ‘Our Stories’ walk in Lyttelton, follow in the footsteps of Akaroa’s Antarctic hero Frank Worsley, or join some ‘rock-hopping’ at Kaioruru/Church Bay with a well-known Canterbury volcanologist. The great variety of walks offers something for people of all ages, abilities and interests. Whether it be history and heritage, botany or geology there is something for everyone with a guarantee of beautiful views and scenery along the way.
Book early as places are limited and walks fill up quickly!
See the full program her: https://www.bankspeninsulawalks.co.nz/banks-peninsula-walking-festival/ ; select your walks, and then book. Be aware that places are limited and that walks fill up fast.
ALL WALKS MUST BE BOOKED AND PAID FOR IN ADVANCE
1. Prior to booking have ready your credit card and contact details plus emergency numbers for yourself and any others you are booking for.
2. To book visit the Akaroa i-SITE or call 033047784 – Please be aware that credit card fees apply to bookings.
3. We will email you a ticket for each walk you book. Prior to your walk you will receive a separate email from the Festival Co-ordinator with a ‘Walk Information Sheet’ giving you details of the meeting point for your walk and what you need to wear and bring.
4. On the day of your walk please visit bpwalks.co.nz to check for any changes. Walks proceed in most weather conditions, but will be cancelled in severe weather. Full refunds are paid only if walks are cancelled by the Festival.
You are responsible for your own safety, equipment, vehicle and food. You must wear sturdy walking shoes or tramping boots and bring warm clothing, water, sun hat, sunscreen and a waterproof layer, plus lunch and snacks as stated in the programme. Walking poles are strongly advised.
Book early to avoid disappointment!
Calling all keen photographers – We are always looking for great photos of the festival to celebrate it and promote it. If you are a keen photographer and are happy to share some of your photos (especially shots with people in them) please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Please be aware that photographs taken during the Walking Festival may be used for promotional purposes.
WALK LISTINGS BELOW
Walk Difficulty Key:
EASY WALK – Well formed track, easy mostly flat walking
WALK – Partly formed track, some up and down
TRAMP – Track mostly unformed with prolonged up and down
ROUTE – unformed and rough surface with prolonged up and down
Recommended for families
Use these key words to check the walk is suitable for your abilities before booking!
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Alert Level 1 – The Festival will continue as normal but bring your own hand sanitiser.
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Alert Level 2 – Bring your own hand sanitiser and a face mask for any close contact situations that may occur during your walk. A small number of walks will not be held and you will be issued a refund – check on programme below.
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Alert Level 3 & 4 – The Festival will be cancelled and you will be issued a refund.
PROGRAMME:
SATURDAY 6TH NOVEMBER
WALK 1 – KAITORETE SPIT AND TE WAIHORA – STAGE 2, WITH QEII TRUST REPRESENTATIVE ALICE SHANKS, DENISE FORD, SELWYN DISTRICT COUNCIL BIODIVERSITY OFFICER, KAREN BANWELL, WHAKA ORA HEALTHY HARBOUR PROGRAMME MANAGER AND DENISE SPENCER, DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
TRAMP – Wear tramping boots or sturdy walking shoes, and gaiters or long socks with trousers tucked in to keep sand out of boots. Bring lunch, snacks, water bottle, sunhat, sunscreen, weatherproof gear and hand sanitiser.
Start time: 9:00am
Duration: 7-8 hours, 12km. This includes carpooling at the start & time for lunch
Cost: $17
Join Alice as she continues with the 2nd phase of her multi-year challenge to walk the entire Spit and around Te Waihora. Her passion is to inspire more people to understand the natural and cultural values of the spit, lakeshore and wetlands, and how to access these areas. Alice will help you understand the dryland ecology here, and some of the recent issues with maintaining it. Denise will provide her knowledge on the birds, lizards, insects and plants. The walk will involve some car shuffling and carpooling to avoid having to walk there and back. Be prepared for a fascinating day. Note that this will be a moderate to hard walk because of the soft ground, distance, and exposure to wind and sun.
WALK 2 – SOLD OUT – BRICE FALLS WALK WITH ANDY NICHOLSON, RACHEL DUNNINGHAM & BANKS PENINSULA CONSERVATION TRUSTS SOPHIE HARTNELL
WALK Wear sturdy walking shoes. Bring snacks, a water bottle, sunscreen, sunhat, a jacket and hand sanitiser.
Start time: 10:00am
Duration: 1.5 – 2 hours approx. 3km, walk climbs about 300 meters
Cost: $13.50
This is a pretty walk through a Port Hills farm with an area of the valley being replanted in natives under the Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust. The walk goes along the valley floor before following a narrow stream bed to a lovely 10 metre waterfall. The waterfall is named Brice Falls after the family who farmed the land as a rehabilitation farm after World War II. We then backtrack a little before going up a steep farm track to the top of the property where we drop down to view another secluded waterfall 3 metres high. Taking a farm track which curves round the back of the property continue on to the valley floor, looping back to the starting point. This walk is in the heart of the Te Kākahu Kahukura core area. Te Kākahu Kahukura is a large scale collaboration of landowners, residents, organisations and agencies whose vision is to see the Southern Port Hills area become a thriving and resilient indigenous forest supporting native flora and fauna by 2050; a taonga for Ōtautahi.
WALK 3 – CAMP BAYS’ HIDDEN GEMS WITH STELLA BAUER AND TOM MAGILL
TRAMP – Wear tramping boots. Bring lunch, snacks, large water bottle, sunhat, sunscreen, weatherproof gear and hand sanitiser.
Start time: 10am
Duration: 4 hours, length 3kms. Walk climbs 200m
Cost: $10 adult or $2 child
Everyone is welcome on this family friendly walk! Take this opportunity to visit this private property with its spectacular volcanic rock formations. This tussock hill farm offers silence and vast spaces, with stunning views across the open sea and the Lyttelton Harbour.
This tramping route following sheep tracks across the hills. There will be time for several stops to study the intriguing caves on the property, and explore the gullies and creeks from different angles. This walk is a unique experience for young and old to have fun in the outdoors and grow their tramping skills.
Note that children participating must be of a fitness level to participate in a four hour walk with some climbing.
SUNDAY 7TH NOVEMBER
WALK 4 – BIG DAY OUT! – HINEWAI HIKE WITH ERIN EYLES AND PETER COLDICOTT
WALK/TRAMP – Wear sturdy walking shoes or boots. Bring lunch, snacks, water bottle, sunhat, sunscreen, camera, a jacket, walking pole and hand sanitiser.
Start time: 8:30am start from Christchurch
Duration: there will be a morning and afternoon walk with some climbing for both
Cost: $17
Note – this walk has been planned for the Christchurch Blind Low-vision group and thus has a private Eventfinda listing.
Enjoy a big day out at Hinewai Reserve! After walking down to the Lodge for morning tea you will continue on to explore the lovely Fuchsia Falls. A car shuffle will then take you to the lower Valley area for a picnic lunch, followed by a walk up into the beautiful bush where you can delight in the amazing birdlife found in the Reserve. All efforts will be rewarded with the chance to enjoy a Hotel meal on route back to Christchurch at the end of the day. This will be a great day filled with flora, fauna, food, friends and lots of fun!
Note this walk will only be run at Covid-19 Alert Level 1.
WALK 5 – SOLD OUT – HIKURAKI COVENANT WITH MARIE NEAL BANKS PENINSULA CONSERVATION TRUST COVENENTS OFFICER AND ANTONY JOHNSON MANAGER OF HIKURAKI VALLEY AND OASHORE
TRAMP – Wear sturdy walking boots, layered clothing, gaiters (optional). Bring lunch, snacks, large water bottle, sunhat, sunscreen, a jacket, and hand sanitiser. Camera, binoculars and walking poles handy.
Start time: 9:00am
Duration: 6 hours approx, 5km. Walk climbs 300m approx.
Cost: $17
Join us in the Southern Bays area for magnificent views of Hikuraki, Tokara and other surrounding coves, from an amazing 60 hectare gully protection which is regenerating in natives under careful management. We’ll walk through Hikuraki covenant itself, down to the beach for lunch then back up viewing a different perspective, enjoying the flora and fauna along the way. A good level of fitness is required as there will be some prolonged steep climbs along the way.
Note this walk does have a postponement date of Sunday 14th November if the weather is unsuitable on the 7th. If you are unable to attend the walk on the 14th you will be issued with a refund.
WALK 6 – EXPLORING AVOCA VALLEY WITH JOHN MARSH AND MARIE GRAY, SUMMIT ROAD SOCIETY
WALK – Wear sturdy walking shoes or boots. Bring lunch, snacks, water bottle, sunhat, sunscreen, camera, a jacket, walking pole and hand sanitiser.
Start time: 10:00am
Duration: 3 hours, 4.5km. Walk climbs 220m approx.
Cost: $17
The Summit Road Society has embarked on an ambitious planting programme at Avoca Valley on the Port Hills. This walk will explore Avoca Valley with a focus on remnant vegetation around the rocky bluffs and restoration plantings. From the Summit Road, you will journey down the Rapaki Track to the entrance into Linda Woods Reserve. Descend further to Avoca Valley Stream and view the areas planted in winter 2021. Loop back along the stream bed and head uphill towards the Summit Road to look at remnant vegetation and the proposed planting areas for next year. The head of the valley is particularly stunning with native flora flourishing on the south facing rocky outcrops. You will then cross tussock grassland to return back to the Summit Road. The walk will be on hilly terrain and will include a mixture of 4WD tracks, rough sheep tracks and off track walking through tussock grasslands.
WALK 7 – LYTTELTON HERITAGE HOMES AND BUILDINGS WITH LOCAL HISTORIAN LIZA ROSSIE
WALK: Wear comfortable walking shoes. Bring a sunhat, jacket and camera, lunch and snacks, water bottle and hand sanitiser.
Start time: 10:30am
Duration: 3 hours, 1.5km
Cost: $17
Liza has carries out extensive research for the Lyttelton Historic area and has a great knowledge of all of the local buildings, including those that were lost in the 2011 earthquakes. Starting with the oldest home, Grubb Cottage, walk through layers of history looking at different eras of historic homes in Lyttelton and the stories linked to these. Be prepared for some steep streets and to be surprised by the quirky charms of Lyttelton. Have a snack along the way or make the most of one of Lytteltons great cafes for lunch when you have finished!
SATURDAY 13TH NOVEMBER
WALK 8 – SOLD OUT – LANDS END LONG DAY WITH GUIDES SINCLAIR BENNETT AND CHRISTINE STROUD
TRAMP – Wear sturdy walking boots. Bring lunch, 2 litres of water, sunscreen, sunhat, layered clothing, a waterproof jacket and hand sanitiser.
Start time: 8:45am to carpool to the start
Duration: 7-8 hours walk time plus car pool. Walk length 17.5km. Highest point 390m.
Cost: $17
This spectacular walk is back by popular demand! Explore the western headland of Akaroa Harbour and enjoy the volcanic geology of the coast and gullies. Walking across open farm land at Lands End we will enjoy dramatic coastal views. Highlights include the beach at Squally Bay (seals and birds usually present), and then onto the aptly named Scenery Nook. We make our way around to Timutimu Head with its fabulous view of Akaroa Head and Harbour. Heading back up along the ridge we visit Lucas Peak, with a short easy walk back to the start. Mostly easy walking, but with one short very steep downhill section, making a total walk climb of around 740m for the day.
WALK 9 – LYTTELTON LOOP – VOLCANIC ORIGINS WITH VOLCANOLOGIST DR. SAM HAMPTON, TE PĀTAKA O RĀKAIHAUTŪ / BANKS PENINSULA GEOPARK
WALK/TRAMP: Wear hiking boots. Bring snacks, lunch, water bottle, sunhat, sunscreen, layered clothing, a waterproof jacket and hand sanitiser
Start time: 10:00am
Duration: 6 hours, 8km. Walk climbs approx. 400m.
Cost: $17
Join volcanologist Sam Hampton on a loop walk around the crater rim of Lyttelton. The walk will guide you through the volcanic origins of the ridges, bluffs and cliffs encountered along the connected trails. The walk begins in an ascent through the Urumau Reserve to the Mt Pleasant Bluffs Track. Along the crater rim it will follow the Mt Pleasant Shared use Track briefly visiting the WWII gun emplacements along the way. The descent follows the Major Hornbrook Track, connecting onto the Chalmers Track. At strategic locations Sam will stop for a chat to describe and interpret various features within the landscape, connecting these to the explosive past of Banks Peninsula.
WALK 10 – CHANGING VEGETATION OF DIAMOND HARBOUR RESERVES WITH GRAEME FRASER, DIAMOND HARBOUR RESERVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
WALK – Wear sturdy walking shoes or boots. Bring lunch, snacks, water bottle, sunhat, sunscreen, layered clothing, waterproof jacket and hand sanitiser
Start time: 10:00am
Duration: 3 hours, walk climbs about 200m, length 6 km
Cost: $17
Follow the coastal track from Diamond Harbour to Purau then saunter back on a historic stock route to return via Morgan’s Gully. As a coordinator for the Diamond Harbour Reserve Management Committee and ‘Friends of Morgans and Sams Gullies’ Graeme will share with you the transformation that has occurred in the reserve area to healthy beauty! See the impacts that people have had on the changing flora as the walk traverses through different ecosystems, both managed and unmanaged. Enjoy stunning views of Lyttelton Harbour and Godley Head, as you learn how the human introduced vegetation dramatically alters the landscape and environment.
SUNDAY 14TH NOVEMBER
WALK 11 – TE AHU PĀTIKI MT HERBERT LOOP WITH ROD DONALD TRUST MANAGER SUKY THOMPSON
TRAMP/ROUTE – Wear tramping boots. Bring lunch, snacks, water bottle, sunhat, sunscreen, weatherproof gear and hand sanitiser.
Start time: 9:00am
Duration: 8.5 hours, climbs 900m, length 16kms
Cost: $17
Explore Te Ahu Patiki – the new park created after public support for a highly successful crowd-funding campaign. This route will involve a gentle walk through Orton Bradley Park to reach the new Te Ahu Patiki park and then climbing up through its most beautiful bush gully to reach more open lands higher up starting at the Hoheria terrace. Spot promising signs of regeneration and magnificent rock formations as you go then head up a wide track mainly through gorse to reach the Mt Herbert shelter. From there it’s a short walk to the summit, where on a good day views are marvellous. Make a loop return past the interesting summit wetland area and return back on a new route made possible by the park. We will take it at a gentle pace and enjoy some rest stops along the way.
WALK 12 – HINEWAI’S PIKIMAI CIRCUIT WITH HINEWAI RESERVES PAUL NEWPORT
TRAMP – Wear sturdy walking boots. Bring lunch, water bottle, sunhat, sunscreen, layered clothing, jacket and hand sanitiser
Start time: 10:00am
Duration: 5-6 hours, 9km approx. Walk climbs approx. 400m
Cost: $17
The Pikimai Circuit is a new route in the upper Stoney Bay Valley of Hinewai Reserve, taking in a range of vegetation from snow tussock shrublands through regenerating native forests and magnificent old-growth red beech forest, with stunning views to enjoy along the way. You will walk along the stunning Stony Bay skyline ridge to start, and then descend down the new track into the forest with a return climb back up through some of the grandest forest on Banks Peninsula to the Stony Bay Saddle, guided by Hinewai Reserves Paul Newport, who refers to himself as the ‘track elf’!
WALK 13 – OUR STORIES’ LYTTELTON WITH GUIDE KRIS HERBERT
EASY: Wear comfortable walking shoes. Bring, snacks, water bottle, sunhat, sunscreen, a jacket and hand sanitiser.
Start time: 10:00am
Duration: 2 hours. 1.5km
Cost: $28.50 (including headset hire)
Our Stories Project aims to connect people and placed through storytelling. During this walk you will hear a collection of oral history and memories from people who have grown up in the Lyttelton community.
Primary school children have conducted the interviews themselves, with ‘memories’ then being edited and mapped to corresponding locations. This walk will include headphones for listening to some of these recollections as you journey through the Lyttelton Township.
SATURDAY 20TH NOVEMBER
WALK 14 – MAGNIFICENT MT BRADLEY’S GRAND VISTA OF TE AHU PĀTIKI, WITH PENINSULA TRAMPING CLUB’S MERV MEREDITH
TRAMP/ROUTE – Wear tramping boots. Bring lunch, snacks, water bottle, sunhat, sunscreen, weatherproof gear and hand sanitiser.
Start time: 8:30am
Duration: 10 hours, climbs 900m, length 16kms
Cost: $17
Walk up beautiful Kaituna Valley to the Sign of the Packhorse Hut for morning tea at one of Harry Ell’s ‘rest houses’ on his visionary recreational route to Akaroa.
Then make the big slog up the back of Mt Bradley and take a still little known track to the summit ridge, along the top and down the gentle track to the edge of the Bradley Bluffs at the north eastern, ‘Eye of the Needle’ corner. As well as picturing what the upper slopes of Te Ahu Pātiki below will look like when our grandchildren visit the same spot, just soak up the sweeping, unparalleled view of the harbour and beyond.
Return to Kaituna suitably stonkered after a great day.
WALK 15 – DISCOVER ŌTAMAHUA QUAIL ISLAND WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND TE HAPŪ O NGĀTI WHEKE
WALK – Wear sturdy walking shoes or boots. Bring lunch, snacks, water bottle, sunhat, sunscreen, weatherproof gear and hand sanitiser.
Start time: 9:00am – 1:45pm
Duration: 5 hour event. 2-3 hour walk for complete Island circuit (4.5kms)
Cost: Adult $25, Child $10
Hop on the Black Cat Ferry to enjoy a family day out on Ōtamahua / Quail Island, taking advantage of these discounted Ferry tickets!
The main track circumnavigates Ōtamahua / Quail Island and can be walked in either direction. The loop track passes historic sites and offers beautiful views of Whakaraupō/Lyttelton Harbour. Discover the Island’s unique past as a quarantine station, see its historic stables and the ship’s graveyard. Try some bird watching, observe the Islands native biodiversity restoration project and ‘get back to nature’ in this beautiful setting. Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke will be sharing interpretation of the island history and the pou whenua. Visit the barracks to view the interpretative displays illustrating the rich history of the island.
During your visit check out Ōtamahua Hut – the family friendly island accommodation, and get inspired to plan a future visit with family and friends to create your own overnight adventure!
Note this walk will only be run at Covid-19 Alert Level 1.
WALK 16 – CAREWS PEAK ADVENTURE – FROM SWAMP TO SUMMIT WITH TOM MACTAVISH
ROUTE – Wear tramping boots. Bring lunch, snacks, water bottle, sunhat, sunscreen, weatherproof gear and hand sanitiser.
Start time: 9:30am
Duration: 7 hours including time to carpool to the start, 6kms
Cost: $17
Explore the new DOC reserve encompassing the top of Carews Peak above Wainui, traversing conservation land between a regionally rare wetland and the third highest point on the southern summit ridgeline of Banks Peninsula. Prepare for a bit of a pioneering adventure, with tracks still unformed, but enjoy spectacular views in all directions, a wealth of knowledge from your guide, and lots of fun along the way!
WALK 17 – HEAD OF THE HARBOUR HERITAGE TRAIL AND ŌHINETAHI GARDEN TOUR WITH PETER COLDICOTT
EASY: Wear comfortable boots or sturdy walking shoes. Bring lunch, snacks, water bottle, sunhat, sunscreen, weatherproof gear and hand sanitiser.
Start time: 9:30am
Duration: 5-6 hours.
Cost: $32 including entry fee to the Ōhinetahi Gardens
One of the highlights of this walk will be a visit to the enchanting Ōhinetahi Gardens – our very own local ‘national treasure,’ with its elegant architecture, elaborate sculptures and award winning gardens.
You will catch up on local history as you explore from Governors Bay to Allendale along the picturesque Foreshore Track, the location of Banks Peninsula’s first Geotrail, soon to be completed. Admire the harbour views and savour the seascapes passing the Margaret Mahey Plaque, Governors Bay Jetty, volcanic rock formations and Sage Reserve. Intrepid explorer Peter Coldicott promises this will not be a route march as he guides you around some of his favourite local spots.
There will be time to stop and savour some eye beholding properties full of interest and history, visiting some not usually accessible to the public. Enjoy the beautiful Waitahuna property, the first European house in the Bay (1852). Browse in the fully restored School House to see how things were done a century ago. Bring your own slate – no computers here!
Take time to enjoy the wonderfully restored St Cuthbert’s Church – the oldest in Canterbury built in 1875. Once you reach the historic Allandale jail enter at your own risk and don’t get locked up!
Allandale provides a peaceful setting for a lunch break, and there will be a chance to enjoy a snack at the Ōhinetahi Gardens mid-afternoon.
Make sure you ask great adventurer Peter to share some of his stories along the way – hiking over 4,000km from Mexico to Canada, and crewing on a yacht sailing from South American to the Antarctic Peninsula, climbing Mt Kilimanjaro, and rafting down the Grand Canyon to name a few!
WALK 18 – SOLD OUT – STEEPHEAD RECONNOITRE WITH RACONTEURS, WITH HAMISH DALGLISH AND QEII TRUST REPRESENTATIVE ALICE SHANKS
TRAMP Wear tramping boots. Bring lunch, snacks, water bottle, sunhat, sunscreen, weatherproof gear and hand sanitiser.
Start time: 10:30am
Duration: 5½ approx. 7km, walk climbs approx. 300m.
Cost: $17
Take the chance to visit this fascinating covenant and surrounding area at the Le Bons Bay headland. Along with the breath-taking views and native bush to explore you will also learn about the history of the community that once lived in the area.
This walk will take you out to the lighthouse, passing the remains of a World War II watch station along the way. You will visit the area’s old mill site, seeing the waterwheel and old steam engines that once powered the mill. Pass the remnants of the old railway line that had once enabled goods to be hauled up the steep hill from the wharf far below.
The valley bush will one day be a DOC Reserve. It hosts a variety of flora and fauna, including Nīkau Palms and regenerating Tōtara and Matai. Enjoy all of the stories Alice and Hamish will share with you along the way!
Please note there will be a fence or two you will have to climb over or through en route.
SUNDAY 21ST NOVEMBER
WALK 19 – PURAU HIDDEN VALLEYS EXPLORING HISTORY AND NATURE WITH PAUL AND ANDREA DAHL
ROUTE – Wear tramping boots. Bring lunch, snacks, water bottle, sunhat, sunscreen, layered clothing, weatherproof gear and hand sanitiser.
Start time: 10:00am
Duration: 6 hours, 7-9km approx, 500-600m climb (route may vary slightly subject to weather conditions on the day)
Cost: $17
This adventure commences from the foreshore of Purau Bay and follows the historic Māori and European routes up the valley floors to below the rocky crags on the southern slopes of Mt Evans overlooking Whakaraupō/Lyttelton harbour.
We will explore the changes in land use and vegetation over the last few hundred years, identifying resulting effects and impacts. We will share and invite discussion on the options for the future of the Valleys, Harbour and Peninsula. This is a great chance for an informative and fascinating day out – with expansive and extremely stunning views to enjoy along the way.
WALK 20 – KAIORURU/CHURCH BAY ROCK-HOPPER WITH VOLCANOLOGIST DR. SAM HAMPTON, TE PĀTAKA O RĀKAIHAUTŪ / BANKS PENINSULA GEOPARK
WALK: Wear hiking boots. Bring snacks, lunch, water bottle, sunhat, sunscreen, layered clothing, a waterproof jacket and hand sanitiser
Start time: 10:00am
Duration: 4 hours, 3km. Walk climbs approx. 70m
Cost: $17
Join geologist and volcanologist Sam Hampton on an exploratory ‘walk and talk’ along the shore platform from Hays Bay to Kaioruru / Church Bay. Investigate the volcanic and sedimentary sequences of 8 to 5.8 million years ago and learn how Whakaraupō/Lyttelton Harbour developed over millions of years. This guided walk follows the coastal exposures giving stunning views across Lyttelton Harbour. Throughout the walk Sam will stop and talk at selected locations putting pieces of the geological story together.
WALK 21 – CHILDREN’S BAY FARM WALK WITH PETER SQUIRES
WALK: Wear sturdy walking shoes or boots. Bring snacks, lunch, water bottle, sunhat, sunscreen, camera and jacket
Start time: 10:30am-2:30pm
Duration: 4 hours, 6km approx.
Cost: $17
For those of you who have been to visit the famous Akaroa ‘Rhino’ there is now the opportunity to explore further on a new track around the entire headland between Akaroa and Takamatua, with spectacular views of the harbour, hills and some intriguing sculptures – along the way you will meet a long-extinct Moa and spot the large sheep resting under the trees. Loop back via Takamatua to return to Childrens Bay foreshore with a picnic stop en route.
SATURDAY 27TH NOVEMBER
WALK 22 – TE AHU PĀTIKI MT BRADLEY SUMMIT BIG DAY OUT WITH ROD DONALD TRUST MANAGER SUKY THOMPSON
TRAMP/ROUTE: Wear tramping boots. Bring lunch, snacks, large water bottle, sunhat, sunscreen, weatherproof gear and hand sanitiser.
Start time: 8:30am
Duration: 10+ hours, climbs 900m, length 21kms
Cost: $17
Explore Mt Bradley – crowning glory of Te Ahu Pātiki – the new park created after public support for a highly successful crowd-funding campaign. This route will start with a gentle walk through Orton Bradley Park to reach the new Te Ahu Pātiki park and then get tougher with a steepish climb to the main saddle along the summit ridge. From here we will leave the park walk skirt along the southern flank of Mt Bradley in the recently extended Sign of the Packhorse reserve. From here a tiny track leads to the magnificent summit. We’ll spend some time up here on the plateau to enjoy the breath-taking views over the expanse of Te Ahu Pātiki park, the city, plains, ocean and alps. The return route will loop back via the Sign of the Packhorse Hut, and then back into Te Ahu Pātiki park below the north face of Mt Bradley. Be prepared for a big long day out, but we will take it at a relatively slow pace with several stops and aim to be back by early evening.
WALK 23 – PENGUINS OF GODLEY HEAD WITH GUIDES DR. BRYAN STOREY AND TUI ELLIOTT, AND PENGUIN RESEARCHERS THOMAS STRACKE AND KRISTINA SCHUTT
WALK: Wear tramping boots or sturdy walking shoes. Bring lunch, snacks, water bottle, sunhat, sunscreen, weatherproof gear and hand sanitiser.
Start time: 10am
Duration: 5-6 hours, length 8kms
Cost: $17
Start your exploration of stunning Godley Head with the opportunity to see Scott’s Antarctic cabin, a joint relocation and restoration project between the Crichton family and DOC. Head off to see Godley Head’s WWII military defence relics and get up close to Harris Bay’s unique penguin colony, home to the white-flippered penguin, with experts Thomas Stracke Kristina Schutt. Be prepared for scramble down to the rocks to the colony. Stunning views in all directions are a highlight of the day.
WALK 24 – SOLD OUT – OKUTI VALLEY – ‘ON & OFF THE BEATEN TRACK’ WITH NEIL BROWN
WALK: Wear sturdy boots. Bring lunch, water bottle, sunscreen, sunhat, layered clothing, a waterproof jacket and hand sanitiser.
Start time: 10:00am
Duration: 4 hours. Walk length 7km, mostly downhill
Cost: $17 adult
Get off the beaten track in Okuti Valley with local resident Neil Brown. Starting at Saddle Hill Reserve on the ridgeline between Wainui and Little River, you will enjoy stunning views of the Akaroa Harbour, the Southern Alps and the unique landforms of Te Waihora and Kaitorete Spit. From here you will journey down to Okuti Valley on a variety of farm tracks and paths, diverting through some different private properties as you go.
A carpool to the top at the start will mean this is mostly a downhill stroll.
SUNDAY 28TH NOVEMBER
WALK 25 – SOLD OUT – IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF FRANK WORSLEY – THE AKAROA SKYLINE WALK WITH CCC RANGER JOHN FITCH
TRAMP Wear sturdy tramping boots and layered clothing. Bring lunch, snacks, large water bottle, sunhat, sunscreen, weatherproof gear and hand sanitiser.
Start time: 9:30am
Duration: 7-8 hours, 16km. Walk climbs to 800m
Cost: $17
WALKERS WANTED: to walk in the footsteps of Frank Worsley, seven hour journey, steep hills, historic sites, new tracks, amazing views, stories of adventure, tired legs and guaranteed no icebergs.
Starting with a visit to Frank Worsely’s birthplace you will then head up the Woodills South and North to Curry’s Tracks to visit the Frank Worsely house site and then on up over Browntop Saddle, Purple Peak Saddle, traverse below Stony Bay Peak on the track on the Akaroa side through to Stony Bay Rd, and the Misty Peaks Track . This will then link up with CCC’s newly created track, connecting Mt Brasenose to Aylmer’s Valleys Newton Waterfall Track, and then head back down to Akaroa to view Frank’s memorial bust by the main Akaroa Wharf. This walk will be a good workout, with some steep climbing involved, with amazing views of the Akaroa harbour gained for your efforts!
WALK 26 – KIDS ADVENTURE AT SUGARLOAF WITH MARIE GRAY, SUMMIT ROAD SOCIETY
WALK: Wear sturdy walking shoes or boots. Bring snacks, water bottle, sunhat, sunscreen, camera, a jacket and hand sanitiser.
Start time: 10:00am
Duration: 2 hours, 2.5km. Walk climbs 100m approx.
Cost: $10 adult, $2 child
This kids adventure will follow a loop track around Te Heru o Kahukura (Sugarloaf). Kids will have a checklist of tasks and activities to complete along the way. We will start at the Bowenvale carpark and follow Cedrics Track through tussock grasslands. This route offers panoramic views of the Alps and the city. There will be an ice-cream break at the Sign of the Kiwi before returning to the carpark via Mitchells Track on the Lyttelton side. Journey through native bush before emerging onto a rocky spur with amazing views of the harbour.
This area is part of Te Kākahu Kahukura, a landscape scale restoration project that aims to create a 1000ha biodiversity hub on the southern Port Hills, working in collaboration with landowners, residents, organisations and agencies to protect and connect existing bush and restoration plantings.
The 2.5km return track is suitable for most children. The terrain is undulating and there is plenty of variety. As we are focused on making the walk fun for the kids, we will take our time, offer plenty of encouragement and stop for breaks and activities as we go. Make sure you pop in some money for an ice-cream!
Children need to be accompanied by an adult with a maximum of 5 children per adult.
Note this walk will only be run at Covid-19 Alert Level 1.
WALK 27 – HISTORY, HOUSES, HARBOUR AND HIKE – WEST LYTTELTON TO CORSAIR BAY WITH LOCAL HISTORIAN LIZA ROSSIE
WALK: Wear comfortable walking shoes. Bring a sunhat, jacket, camera, water bottle, a picnic lunch and hand sanitiser.
Start time: 10:00am
Duration: 3½ hours, 5km
Cost: $17
Explore walking through West Lyttelton to Corsair Bay with local historian Liza Rossie. Hear fascinating stories of the area’s distinctive character and heritage. Starting at Grubb cottage enjoy a hike around to Magazine Bay (which was where Mr Grubb’s Nineteenth century boatbuilding business was based.) Enjoy a lunchtime picnic at Te Ana Marina. Walk back via a different route to view the historic homes on Simeon Quay and hear about some of the rich history surrounding these distinctive cottages and houses from a bygone era.
2021-11-20 08:00:00
2021-11-21 17:00:00
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