Start of the walk at Taylors Mistake Beach
The Taylors Mistake to Godley Heads walkway has recently reopened after an upgrade following earthquake damage. From the centre of Christchurch city it is a thirty minute drive to the start of the walkway.
Godley Heads Walkway map
Christchurch people have been unable to use this scenic track for more than two years. It is a coastal walk of about three hours return, passing World War Two military buildings.
Click once on any photo to enlarge.
We left Port Levy Saddle carpark in the mist, on an autumn morning, after a one hour drive from Christchurch. There is a track west to Mt Herbert (the highest point on Banks Peninsula). However we turned east and walked to Mt Fitzgerald (826m) along the crater rim. The mist partially lifted as we walked, allowing some views down the valleys and out to the water.
Banks Peninsula
The start of our walk (Port Levy Saddle carpark) is marked with a star on the map. This track was originally surveyed as part of the Banks Peninsula Summit Road. The road was never constructed, but the legal access remains.
Click once on map to enlarge.
Despite being just 30 minutes from the city of Christchurch, it is possible to have a beach almost to yourself at Pegasus Bay. We spent a morning walking from Kairaki Beach, which is just north of the Waimakariri River mouth. When we started at 9.30am, it was warm and still, with some westerly cloud providing interesting lighting.
Fishermen at the Waimakariri River mouth
The Waimakariri River mouth is a popular fishing spot, particularly salmon and whitebait (when in season).
A snapshot of what is happening in the Christchurch CBD, taken on 7th April 2013.
Town Hall
The fate of the earthquake-damaged Town Hall is still undecided. Figures in the media indicate a repair bill in the order of $127 million and a rebuild of $168 million.
These photos were taken on 19 March 2013 as Paris emerged from a cold winter.
Jardin du Ranelagh
Sun Peaks Resort offers some superb skiing with surprising diversity across its three mountains. There are gladed areas, steep runs, cruisers and alpine bowls. It’s called Sun Peaks for a reason, with an average of 2,000 sunshine hours per year. The average temperature in January is -6.7C (21F) however when we skied there in late January 2013, the thermometer climbed higher than this on most days, which were often sunny and calm.
Sun Peaks Village
Nestled at the base of the three mountains is the Sun Peaks Village (1255 m/4116 ft), allowing ski in/ski out accommodation. This modern purpose-built village has been developed since 1993 when Nippon Cable Company purchased what was then called Tod Mountain.
The Curator’s House
The Curator’s House is a busy hub for visitors to the Botanical Gardens. The house is set on the banks of the Avon River and surrounded by a demonstration fruit and vegetable garden. It was opened as a restaurant in 2000, but was built in 1920 for the curator of The Botanical Gardens. The 21 hectares of gardens form a backdrop for the old house, which lies within 164 hectares of Hagley Park, in Central Christchurch. It has recently reopened following strengthening and repair work after earthquake damage in February and June 2011. These photos were taken in January 2013, showing the restaurant in full Summer colours.
