Waimakariri River Regional Park: McLeans Forest, Kaiapoi Island & River Trails
Photo: “Flying over a river near Christchurch” by Tony Hisgett, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Park at a glance
- Region
- Canterbury
- Location
- Northern Christchurch
- Managed by
- Environment Canterbury
- Dogs
- Check dog rules
- Camping
- No
Overview
Waimakariri River Regional Park covers about 15,000 hectares of river-protection land along the Waimakariri River, on Christchurch's northern edge. Environment Canterbury (ECan) manages it. The river was once a wide, braided channel that regularly spilled across the plains, and the park was created from the land ECan holds along the river for flood protection.
It isn't one place but a string of distinct areas along the river, each suited to different activities. The braided riverbed is a breeding ground for threatened birds such as wrybill, black-fronted tern, black-billed gull and banded dotterel.
Areas of the park
McLeans Forest
McLeans Forest is the park's best-known area, about a 15-minute drive from central Christchurch off McLeans Island Road (the entrance is just before Orana Wildlife Park). It has four interlinked one-way loops totalling about 17 km, including the 10 km Tresillian Loop and the 5 km Coringa Loop, for mountain biking, running and walking through working pine forest. There's a large car park with toilets at the trailhead.
West Melton Forest
West Melton Forest has about 350 hectares of mostly exotic forest, with some native remnants and orchids. It's set aside for horse riding and carriage driving, as well as walking and running.
Kaiapoi Island
Kaiapoi Island is reached via Kaiapoi and closed overnight. It has saltmarsh and freshwater wetland, and is used for whitebaiting, fishing, swimming, kayaking, jet boating, mountain biking and a motocross area.
Templars Island, The Willows and Baynons Brake
Templars Island is a large freshwater swamp with regenerating native plants, birdlife and a walking and cycling track. The Willows suits walking, cycling and fishing. Baynons Brake covers about 5 km of riverside land between the Eyre Diversion and Kaiapoi Island, for riding, walking, picnics and fishing. Listen for marsh crake at night.
Further east, Te Rauakaaka (the Waimakariri saltmarsh and Styx River mouth) is good for walking and birdwatching. McIntoshs has a wheelchair-accessible picnic and fishing area, including a fishing platform for blind anglers. The Christchurch 360 Trail and the Pegasus Bay Trail also pass through parts of the park.
Getting there
The main entry for most visitors is McLeans Forest, via McLeans Island Road, about 15 minutes from the city. Other areas have their own entrances along the river, from West Melton in the west to Kaiapoi and the river mouth in the east. Check ECan's park map for the area you want.
Dogs
Dog rules vary between areas, and the riverbed is a nesting ground for threatened birds. Keep dogs under control, use a lead where signs say so, and stay out of signposted nesting areas, especially in spring and early summer.
Good to know
- Parts of the park can close after floods. A large flood closed areas in June 2021.
- Fires are banned.
- This is a working forest and river-protection area, so watch for forestry operations and follow the signs.
- Check ECan's regional parks notices for closures before you go.
Where is Waimakariri River Regional Park?
The pin marks: Centre of the park area (-43.4550, 172.4747). It isn't an entrance or car park, so check the council's park page for access points before you go. Plan a route on OpenStreetMap (opens in a new tab).
Location data: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0).
Check before you go
Track closures, gate times, fire bans and storm damage change often. Environment Canterbury posts current alerts for Waimakariri River Regional Park on its official park page.
Current park alerts