TRAIL LLITTLEITTLE HHORNBYORNBY RRIVERIVER 1 DDAYAY 550Km0km
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LITTLE RIVER TRAIL LLITTLEITTLE HHORNBYORNBY RRIVERIVER 1 DDAYAY 550km0km LITTLE RIVER Trail Trail Info The Christchurch to Little River Rail Trail mostly lakeside, and Birdlings Flat – a return follows the route of a 19th century railway line side trip of 2km to get great ocean views. Birdlings Flat is also popular 1 Day / 50km between Hornby and Little River, and passes among rockhounds as the beach is rich through Prebbleton, Lincoln, Motukarara and in gemstones, particularly agates. Birdlings Flat. The trail is fl at and easy, with a variety of surfaces from asphalt (Hornby to TRAIL GRADES: Hornby to Little River (Grade 2 - Easy). he Little River Trail takes the shoreline of a vast lagoon, Lake Lincoln) to hard-packed gravel (Ahuriri The terrain is fl at. There are a number to Little River). There are a number of you through a changing Ellesmere /Te Waihora (a wildlife of wooden bridges to cross from car parks along the way making the landscape that has seen habitat of international signifi cance Ahuriri. Most sections are suitable T sections very accessible for shorter for novice cyclists, families and a thousand years of human history. because of the birdlife), and the smaller It passes through rural areas and Lake Forsyth. rides. others seeking a very easy cycling experience. settlements on the Canterbury Plains, IMAGE ABOVE: Cyclists enjoying the view from Places of interest on the trail include the Port Hills © christchurchnz.com PLEASE NOTE: skirts past the massive fl anks of BELOW LEFT: Christchurch, mountain biking the Motukarara Station, Kaituna Quarry, There is currently a 1.9km temporary the ancient volcanoes which make © christchurchnz.com where there is a short track to the BELOW RIGHT: Spotted Cormorant on Harbour on-road section between Lincoln Cruise, Christchurch © Black Cat Group up the Banks Peninsula, and hugs and Ahuriri that is not suitable for families with small children. LOOK OUT FOR... MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE: Railway history Bird life 4G has good coverage to south of Lincoln. 3G coverage is good to south There are a number of remnants of embankment that supports the trail Take binoculars to Lake Ellesmere – the of Lincoln and is also available in lakeside is great for bird watching with railway history along the trail including between Motukarara and Little River Little River. an original and several small buildings at the as many as 150 station at Kaituna Quarry. bird species DRINKING WATER: Motukarara Little River was once the end of a branch visiting the area, There is no drinking water is (have a look at railway from Christchurch and the the most diverse available along the trail. Please take the information beautifully restored railway station is bird population enough bottled water with you for panel there), now a craft shop catering for visitors to of any location in the duration of your ride. the railway Banks Peninsula. New Zealand. 109 Hornby Lincoln Ahuriri Little River LITTLE RIVER TRAIL 11km 10km 29km CHRISTCHURCH HORNBY 74 76 1 Shands Road 76 76 75 Prebbleton 74 Lyttelton hakaraupo ur / W rbo Quail Island Ha n to MAP LEGEND Birchs Road el LINCOLN tt open section y L start / fi nish point point of interest Tai Tapu AA Centre / Service River Road i-SITE Visitor Centre Ba 75 Gebbies Pass Road nk town s Peninsula Halswell River café/restaurant toilets AHURIRI car park DOC Nursery Waihora Park Kaituna Valley Road camping Motukarara accommodation 1 state highway 75 75 LITTLE RIVER Catons Bay Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora Kaituna th rsy Fo ke La Birdlings Flat RIDING THE TRAIL Hornby to Lincoln Currently there is a mix of on-road and alongside Lake Forsyth, with close-up views from this point you can further explore the off-road sections connecting Lincoln to of the volcanic hills. The trail ends at the peninsula, using the network of roads, or HIGHLIGHTS: Railway corridor, Prebbleton Ahuriri. Riders will get a feel for the fl at rural historic Little River Railway Station and relax and check out the local attractions. and Lincoln townships. landscape of Canterbury with the mountains The railway corridor between Marshs Rd to as a stunning backdrop in the west. Prebbleton contains a section of the original railway track complete with rails and a small Ahuriri to Little River bridge. Off the trail in Prebbleton riders can HIGHLIGHTS: Wetlands, birdlife, Banks visit the Domain on Tosswill Rd, and the Peninsula Hills, Little River. Nature Reserve further along Springs Rd. From Ahuriri the riding is mostly off-road Lincoln has a number of historical buildings and through wetland areas that is home to worth visiting. There is an information board much birdlife. For a taste of railway history, in the township. The Liffey Domain is a Motukarara Station is worth a stop as is welcome shady spot in the summer. Kaituna Quarry. A side trip to Birdlings Flat Lincoln to Ahuriri is great for some extra fresh ocean air. From here the trail heads into the Banks Peninsula HIGHLIGHTS: Rural landscape. Little River Gallery © Little River Gallery 110 LITTLE RIVER TRAIL things to do... Punting on the Avon BELOW: Graffi ti art by Tilt © Canterbury Christchurch Tourism DYNAMIC GARDEN CITY The garden infl uence of the South Island’s biggest city cannot be overstated Christchurch is charming and – Christchurch is home to more than colourful. Allow enough time to 740 parks, including the 165ha Hagley spend a day or two here and be a Park and the majestic Botanic Gardens. part of the rebuilding of this city. Their beauty and tranquillity will hit you instantly. Christchurch after Oxford University College, Christ Church • 312km S of Blenheim on SH 1 Picton 15 Minutes Kaikoura Christchurch By Pass North City Centre Airport 1 Akaroa The city’s colourful garden event, The multi-use visitor centre. Designed to Alpine View 650 Main South Rd, Templeton, Christchurch Festival of Flowers held in February and connect people and plants, the space Ph/Fax: 03 349 7666 Email: [email protected] RUAPUNA West Coast Burnham March, also adds weight to the coveted has a working nursery, reference library, Owners: Juanita, Bob & Carol Christie Timaru ‘Garden City’ title. The Avon River and herbarium, potting shed and the • On SH 1, on south side 15min its punting, Sumner Beach and the beautifully positioned, and botanically from city centre, airport, railway stations Canterbury Museum also contribute to named, ilex Café. • Close to malls, restaurant, hotels, ensure Christchurch is oozing appeal. race courses, Ruapuna Motor Other don’t-miss attractions include Racing Circuit & golf courses You can’t visit the Garden City without the International Antarctic Centre, • Tariff: motels from $130, exploring the Christchurch Botanic Christchurch tram, the gondola, Orana s/c cabins from $120, ensuite Gardens, nestled in a loop of the Avon Wildlife Park and Willowbank. Book a cabins from $100, std cabins from $80, power sites from $35, River and surrounded by Hagley tour on a double decker bus to view the tent sites from $25 Park. Spend quality time with Mother changing landscape or take a scenic www.alpineviewholidayparkmotels.nz Nature at the architecturally designed fl ight. Take out a canoe, paddle boat Mountain bike, city touring biking hire. or historic rowboat on the Avon Free delivery. Open 7 days. Mountain bike River, or hire one of our bikes to package includes ride up in the gondola and cycle explore the beautiful Hagley Park down. Helmets, security lock, maps supplied. BIKE HIRE Bike & Canoe Combos $10 ONE HOUR Café open 7 days - open for CITY CYCLE HIRE/MOUNTAIN BIKE ADVENTURE CO. $30 ALL DAY breakfast Ph: 0-3-377 5952 Freephone: 0800 343 848 (Ask about our fl exible multi-day rates for Cycle Trails or around the city) Picnic baskets Email: [email protected] 2 Cambridge Tce, Christchurch • Ph: 03 366 5885 www.cyclehire-tours.co.nz Email: [email protected] • www.boatsheds.co.nz 111 LITTLE RIVER TRAIL Outside Stranges Lane © Canterbury Christchurch Tourism NEW BUZZ FOR RETAIL/NIGHTLIFE If you’re in need of some retail therapy you won’t Island, while the South Island’s only outlet Golden Mile Motel,, Hotel & Restaurant be disappointed – with bold, innovative vision centre, DressSmart, is located in Hornby where following the two major earthquakes, it wasn’t the Little River Trail begins. long before the city was once again buzzing The city’s nightlife is also back and better than with activity. ever, seeing old favourites return with revamped Re:START, in Cashel Mall, continues to be a premises and new additions emerge. Victoria popular shopping destination. The space features Street has a selection of bars and restaurants, dozens of shops and cafés built from shipping including Tequila Mockingbird, The Dirty Land containers and is close to J Ballantyne & Co, and Revival Bar, a pop-up bar making creative Christchurch’s oldest department store and one of use of shipping containers and recycled ••FREE FREE Courtesy van to nearby nearby ••Close Close to start/fi start/finish nish of Little River the country’s best. The latest shopping precinct to materials. St Asaph Street’s social scene wedding venues Cycle Trail • FREE WiFi • Secure storage for cycles emerge on the scene is the impressive Victorian confi rms its reputation as a hospitality hotspot, • Restaurant and bar with TAB and Gaming • Tariff from $130 for two arcade called The Tannery in Woolston. with several bars and eateries attracting the 2-10 Trents Rd, Templeton, Christchurch Away from the city centre, Christchurch also crowds. The city’s newest restaurant precinct Ph: Motel 03 349 6153 Tavern 03 349 7022 Email: [email protected] features several shopping malls, including is called Stranges Lane and is on the corner of www.thegoldenmile.co.nz Westfi eld Riccarton, the largest in the South Lichfi eld and High streets.