Walks
Walks
The Department of Conservation give notice of walkways that are closed for lambing around October – call 03 3419100 for more.
The Christchurch To Little River Rail Trail
Wairewa Pa Road Walk
From the back platform of the Historic Railway Station go south along the unsealed road to Barclay’s Road. Cross the Main road to Kinloch Road.
Rest awhile at the Little River Earthquake Memorial by the river and think of the times when there was a NativeSchool and Church on the hill. The school burnt down in 1969. Continue on a road to the right, which goes up to a memorial marking the site of the school.If you go up there, please close gates.
Jump back on the road past a rusting truck and a cottage engulfed by Wisteria and Camellia Bushes. Onwards to the main road (the Pa is to the right on the other side of the road), turn left into the main road and walk back into town through the Domain (toilets are by the play centre). Check out the Coronation Library Garden maintained by Bruce King, then head on down the main road to the Little River Village.
Round trip approximately 40 minutes
Pushchair friendly.
See the brochure, which is available from the Information Station in Little River.
A 5 minute drive from the Little River township will take you to the park just after the Little River Campground leading on to the Okuti Valley Scenic Reserve. This hidden gem of a native forest walk takes roughly 20 minutes return or you can follow on from the end of the forest walk up the Okuti Track all the way to the hill top which is roughly 2 hours each way.
Historic Railway Station
There are lovely gardens around the Historic Railway Station, which are perfect to wander around or you can have a picnic lunch at one of the many picnic tables. These gardens are created by volunteers. In the Station you will find the Memorial Boards for the 1914 – 18 and 1940 – 45 wars for Little River. There are also historical displays and an Information Station and local Craft Cooperative to look around.
Heritage Park
On the main road adjacent to the Little River Diner, you will find the Heritage Park. This area is a lovely spot off the main road for a wander and a picnic. The area was originally the location of the Little River Railway Line Turntable. The Heritage Park Trust Committee was responsible for planting over the Railway lines and turning it into the park you see before your today.
Awa – Iti Domain
These are beautifully kept grounds for sport and relaxing. There’s plenty of room to walk and kick a ball. There’s also tennis courts and a basketball hoop. Check out the Memorial Gates built in 1923 in remembrance of Our Young Men and Women who died in the War an the Coronation Library built to commemorate King George v Coronation. Each year on Anzac Day there is a memorial service and Wreath Laying Ceremony from 9:30am at the Little River Community Centre. Toilets are available by the play centre.
Te Oka Bay Reserve – Track to Te Oka and Tumbledown Bays – Please follow the red markers and be aware of stock.
Distance 6 K’s – walking time 1 hour and 30 minutes down hill through Farmland and Bush to Te Oka Bay and Tumbledown Bay. Best to arrange a car to pick you up from the Beach otherwise another two and half hours back up the hill to your car. There is a sign to say whether the track is open or closed. From Little River drive up Kinloch Road to Bossu Road at the top of the hill. Road narrow but tarsealed. At the T intersection at the top with Bossu Road you will find the start of the walk just to the right. There is a private hut and cottage available to rent in Te Oka Bay.
Saddle Hill Scenic River
A walk up to the look out through open grassland, this is 3 hours return. It’s Lovely on a clear day. Go through the cattle shute and follow the fence line up to the top. The track is usually mown. There are amazing 360 degree views from the rocky out crop at the top. Get there from Little River from Kinloch Road, along Bossu Road past Reynolds Valley Road. Just on the start down you will see the Cattle Yards on the left. Parking on the right. Best on a clear day. Avoid going in low cloud.
The Rod Donald Trust has just published its new walking resources, which include the new website www.bpwalks.co.nz. This extensive site gives a complete overview of all the walks available on Banks Peninsula.You can purchase individual copies of the brochures, an A4 size copy of the reference book or view a large copy of the Reference Book at the Little River Visitor Centre located in the Waiting Room of the Little River Railway Station. Email littlerivervisitorcentre@xtra.co.nz. The Saddle Hill Walk just out of Little River is in the Greater Banks Peninsula Walks Brochure, which is $2.00 from the Little River Visitor Centre. There are amazing 360 degree views from the trig Station at the top of the walk.
MetService Marine
Akaroa
Magnet Bay
Little River Wairewa Community Trust
Sarah Marsh, Trust Manager
lrwctrust@gmail.com
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