While the Avon isn’t in the same category as the other rivers I’ve listed here, it is an important resource for many watercraft users in Christchurch and it can be appreciated by almost anyone, either for its’ scenic beauty or the recreational/training opportunities the river offers. The Avon river flows through urban suburbs, beautiful parks, the central business district, the Red Zone and into the sea via a large tidal estuary. The information and photos below are from various trips I’ve taken down the Avon, combined together to form a single journey. Any timings given may vary with individual abilities and river flows. Care should be taken paddling during flood flows as many bridges may be too low to allow boats to pass underneath and their is the risk that floodwaters may be contaminated with sewerage overflow.
The journey starts at the University of Canterbury Staff Club, as above the weir there, water levels are pretty low and the river is pretty shallow & muddy, making paddling difficult, if not impossible. A short video of the trip from the Staff Club down to Richmond can be viewed here, and an extended version can be viewed here.
I’ve broken the trip up into sections, with the time taken for each section. Generally the sections with started by places where the river can be easily accessed, so these points can serve as either put ins or take outs, meaning you can tailor a trip to meet your own enthusiasm.The approximate times of each section are listed below (times will vary with individuals):
UC Staff Club to Puriri Street Bridge: 49 minutes
Puriri Street Bridge to Mona Vale: 35 minutes
Mona Vale to Botanic Gardens: 58 minutes
Botanic Gardens to The Terraces: 32 minutes
The Terraces to Victoria Square: 10 minutes
Victoria Square to Margret Mahy Playground: 6 minutes
Margret Mahy Playground to Pomeroy’s Bar: 17 minutes
Pomeroy’s Bar to Retreat Road / Swanns Road Bridge Jetty: 14 minutes
Retreat Road / Swanns Road Bridge Jetty to Gayhurst Road Bridge: 30 minutes
Gayhurst Road Bridge to Kerrs Reach: 12 minutes
Kerrs Reach to Avondale Road Bridge: 27 minutes
Avondale Road Bridge to Wainoni Road Bridge: 24 minutes
Wainoni Road Bridge to Pages Road Bridge: 16 minutes
Pages Road Bridge to Owles Terrace Pontoon: 11 minutes
Owles Terrace Pontoon to Kibblewhite Street Landing: 19 minutes
UC Staff Club:
87 Ilam Road, Ilam, Christchurch
I chose this point as it is the highest point I could put in and then paddle without having to get out of my kayak. Above this weir and water wheel, the Avon is quite shallow and not really navigable. Plus there is something cute about the whole “river” flowing out of a relatively small diameter pipe.
Paddling through the first part was a little tricky as it was quite shallow, you definitely want to check there is enough water before putting on and planning this trip for spring is probably a good idea.
The river was soon deep enough to paddle easily, before passing under Ilam Road and into University of Canterbury campus.
The UC campus is nicely landscaped and having the Avon River flowing from the campus is a real bonus. The student union building was rebuilt following the Canterbury Earthquakes and is a fine new addition to student life. This is near the section of the river that is used for the Engineering Bridge Challenge, where students build a lightweight wooden bridge across the river and then have to cross it, often resulting in a dunking.
Native plantings along the river banks in the UC campus make for a very pleasant paddle. Further down, willows overhang the river, complimenting the native plantings.
From the river, it is hard to believe that you are paddling through one of New Zealand’s top universities and not out in the countryside, the water is clear and the overhanging trees and foliage give the light a greenish hue.
Clyde Road: 11:03am, 27 minutes elapsed
Paddling under Clyde Road, you move out of the open university campus and in to a tighter section, where the river flows through the backyards of the Fendalton.
Fendalton is one of the more affluent suburbs of Christchurch and the Avon river winds it’s way through it. Having a river running through your backyard can be quite a feature and many home owners in this suburb have embraced their river boundary.
Just down stream of the Clyde Road bridge is a weir with a drop of around half a metre. The weir can be paddled over with care or you can portage around the side, though be careful to respect the land owners property. I previously paddled this section in the 90s and managed to fall in while trying to get back into my kayak after portaging this weir, spend the rest of the day feeling a bit soggy.
The pool below the weir is reasonably deep and it can be a little difficult to get back into your kayak if you portage the weir, due to the steep banks.
This section of the river is reasonably narrow and may get a little shallow during summer if the flow is low, but I didn’t encounter any issues on my trip.
The banks are often reinforced with wood or stone, and are often overhung with vegetation.
Okeover Stream is the other waterway that flows through the University of Canterbury. It is fed ephemerally by storm-water, but much of it’s base flow is waste water from the University’s air conditioning system. Much effort has been made to restore the section that runs through the University to a more natural state with rocks, pools, riffles and native vegetation. The stream is home to a number of very large (up to 1m long) eels, which are occasional fed by students (not fed on students). While it is possible to paddle the stream from behind my workplace, it is pretty shallow in places, as well as being quite narrow, and progress may be a little awkward. The stream joins the Avon not far from the Clyde Road & Kotare Street intersection.
Being one of Christchurch’s older and more affluent suburbs, Fendalton has some nice houses and it is quite interesting to see them from this unusual vantage point. If you are passing this way, please be respectful of others property and privacy as you float by.
There are some lovely gardens that integrate well with their river boundary, making paddling this section quite rewarding. The water was also surprisingly clear for an urban stream.
The river is reasonable distant from any roads and the traffic noise is muffled by the houses, so most of the time, the only sounds are birds singing and the splash of your paddle in the water.
Puriri Street Landing:
Near 137 Puriri Street, Riccarton, Christchurch
Putting in at the landing by Puriri Street bridge is a good alternative if you want a shorter trip through the backyards of the wealthy suburb of Fendalton. The river winds it’s way through Fendalton before flowing through the Riccarton Bush Reserve.
Riccarton Bush: 11:33am, 58 minutes elapsed
The historic Riccarton House at Riccarton Bush overlooks the Avon River and serves as a cafe/restaurant and an event venue, though if you are coming off the river, you may need a suitable change of clothing. There is also a 7.8-hectare kahikatea forest, a tiny remnant of the great forests that used to cover much of Canterbury. There are several walking tracks through the bush and it provides a beautiful and relaxing sanctuary within the bustle of Riccarton.
Floating out of the gardens at Riccarton Bush and under Kahu Road, you go past Christchurch Boys High School. Approaching a low bridge with a number of pipes along its’ side, the sound of turbulent water can be heard.
Duck your head to avoid any bumps and take care running the low weir as the outflow is rather shallow and contains a number of rocks.
The rocks and the weir form a little rapid where you can almost imagine you’re surfing.
I had a little “play”, cutting back & forth on the “wave”, as the water splashed across my bow and onto my glasses and camera lense.
From here I drifted downstream to continue my journey through the backyards of Fendalton on my way to Mona Vale. Passing under the railway bridge the stream opens out in a wider river as several stream combine their waters at the Mona Vale gardens.
Wairarapa Stream Side Excursion:
Instead of paddling downstream through Mona Vale, I chose a side excursion and started to paddle up Wairarapa Stream. The stream passes under Fendalton Road and then into one of the more wealthy areas of Christchurch and the riverside backyards do express some of that wealth.
There were a number of interesting sculptures along the river bank, which brought the scene to life.
I certainly found the bronze hippo more engaging that the pair of yapping dogs further upstream. I paddled as far as I could up stream, before the stream got too shallow to make further progress, and then turn to float back towards Mona Vale. I can see a future trip, where I put at Jellie Park and paddle down to Mona Vale. The stream seems to be deep enough to be navigable from there and should make an interesting paddle.
There were some landings along the stream, though I’m not sure where the owners of this boat take it, as the draught of the boat might be a little deep for this shallow stream. I checked out the smaller Waimairi Stream, which also joins the Avon just downstream from Fendalton Road, but this was just to shallow to get far.
Mona Vale:
40 Mona Vale Avenue, Riccarton, Christchurch
Mona Vale is an early 1900s homestead with several formal gardens, riverside walks & a restaurant, and it was here that I decided to stop for lunch.
There was a nice landing, where they must sometimes running punting trips from, and so I got out here and enjoyed watching the river flow by as I ate my sandwich. It is also worth noting there is a public toilet available here, which may be important if you are planning a longer trip.
After lunch, I was back on the river and heading downstream once more. I paddled down the right channels, under the bridge pictured below, to have a look at the high weir.
There is a nice view from the top, but it is not recommended to paddle over it because the pool at the bottom is fairly shallow and injuries could result. I briefly chatted to a group of guys with cheap “Warehouse” style rafts on a beer trip, and checked they weren’t planning to paddle down the channel and over the weir. Fortunately they were just going to portage around the weir after they had finished inflating their rafts and put in on the river below.
I paddled back up the river and then down the left channel, past the glass house and on towards the double weir.
The double weir wasn’t as high as the one on the right hand channel and was divided into two steps, making it safe to paddle over. This weir was removed in 2023 and was replaced by a rock riffle rapid.
The new rock riffle rapid was designed to make the river more natural and allow fish to swim upstream and gain another 8km of habitat.
It will be interesting to have a paddle on the new “rapid” and see how it changes with river flows. It looks like there might be a few little “play” spots for a mild urban adventurer. Further down I met up with one of the rafters at the confluence of the two channels, waiting for the rest of his crew to complete the portage.
I paddled back upstream to have a look at the high weir from the bottom and the water did seem pretty shallow, maybe only 1 or 2 feet deep.
Onwards down the river, under Fendalton Road and into Hagley Park. There was splash ahead as someone dropped of the rope swing and into the river, cooling off on a hot summer’s day. This spot is a popular swimming hole with students after school on scorching summer days, with a rope swing and a water depth of around 2 metres deep. Not sure about the water quality or potential health risks, but I would probably try not to swallow the water, otherwise it’s a lovely spot for a swim in the heart of the city.
As the Avon flows around Hagley Park, the river becomes wider, bordered by roads on one side and parkland on the other. As the water spreads out in the wider channel, the river becomes shallower.
Although there are roads nearby, the river is a peaceful place and the current pulled my kayak along as I soaked up the beautiful greenery of little Hagley Park.
Turning the corner at the Bealey Avenue, the river flows along beside Park Terrace and Hagley Park. On this stretch, I passed a couple having a relaxing float through the park on tyre inner tubes. Using this method, you’ll get a bit wetter, but when the temperature is in the high twenties, that isn’t so much of an issue.
Botanic Gardens:
Hagley Park, Armagh Street car park, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch
Around the west end of Armagh Street, the river turns into Hagley Park and begins it’s sinuous curve around the Botanic gardens.
This stretch is popular with recreational paddlers, as various river crafts can be hired from Antigua Boat Shed, allowing people to travel up the river and explore this particularly scenic section of the river.
Being such a nice day, there were certainly plenty of people keep to have a fun day on the river.
Punts rides can also be taken from the Antigua Boat Shed and these enable the less active tourists to also experience the Botanic Gardens from the river. The guides give plenty of commentary as they pole there boats up the river.
Antigua Boat Sheds:
2 Cambridge Terrace, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch
Past the Antigua Boat Sheds you head in to the central city. River craft thins out as you are not allowed to take the rental boats downstream, which is a good thing as the shallow stretches and riffles would make return the boats difficult, as they are generally impassable to upstream travel.
This riffle also used to be a small weir, but now speeds boats into the city while still allowing fish to swim upstream. Although now entering the city, the river still remains an oasis of nature. The river banks have been allowed grow naturally to provide a more natural environment for aquatic life to shelter under, as well as reducing pollution entering the river.
The Canterbury Earthquake Memorial wall is a sad reminder of the 185 lives lost in the quakes, as well as those lives shattered by loss or injury by the events. The building behind encased in scaffolding and plastic, serves as a reminder of the work still to be done in repairing the damage done. 12 years on, this tower stands empty with work still being done to make it able to be lived in again.
The Bridge of Remembrance was opened in 1924 and together with its Arch of Remembrance serve as a memorial to servicemen and women of two World Wars and subsequent conflicts in Korea, Malaya, Borneo, and Vietnam. The bridge replaced an earlier bridge over which many thousands of soldiers marched en route from King Edward barracks to the railway station and overseas service, from which many did not return. The bridge and arch were repaired and strengthened after the 2011 quakes.
The Terraces:
136 Oxford Terrace, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch
Formerly the Strip, this hospitality & nightlife area was completely rebuilt after the Canterbury Quakes, and the Terraces, which give the area its’ new name, were constructed to connect the area with the river.
It’s hard work to paddle upstream in this section, past the shallow riffles, but a couple of waka ama paddlers gave it a good go.
Some large eels and trout hang out around the Terraces and you can hand feed the eels if you are careful with your fingers, as they will bit and have plenty of small but sharp teeth.
Sea gulls and water fowl will also try to mug you for food if you choose to eat you lunch by the river. If you do want lunch, the Riverside Market has plenty of tasty options, but you’ll want to make sure you guard or secure you boat if you do decide to check it out.
Carrying on downstream, you can drift past Gormley’s sculpture “Stay” as it stand forlornly in the middle of the river, keeping its’ silent vigil. Further still, you pass the new convention centre Te Pae, which was built on the site of the old public library and the Farmers department store.
Victoria Square:
91 Armagh Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch
Victoria Square is a good place to stop for a break and maybe enjoy a sundae from Ice Cream Charlie and you also never know who you’ll see on the river.
Carrying on past the refurbished Christchurch Town Hall, it is nice to the iconic dandelion fountains working again, as they were a popular image of pre-quake Christchurch.
Down past the Edmond’s Band Rotunda, which was badly damaged in the earthquakes but has now been restored to a open air performance space and is back to it’s former glory. The wakas moored near the rotunda seemed to be all ready for paddlers but there was no one around.
A school of fish shot by, heading upstream and I snapped a quick shot before they flashed out of view.
Margaret Mahy Playground:
199 Armagh Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch
The Margaret Mahy Playground on the right bank is usually busy and also features a car park and jetty, making it a reasonable place to start or end Avon River paddling trips.
Under the Madras Street bridge and past the Firefighters Memorial, which was made from the twisted steel girders from the World Trade Centre and commemorates the lives of firefighters who have loss their lives doing their duty. Under the Kilmore Street bridge and past the new Central Fire Station and down the “Fire Station rapid”.
Peterborough Street / Cambridge Terrace:
320 Cambridge Terrace, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch
Around where Peterborough Street meets Cambridge Terrace, just upstream from the Barbadoes Street, marks the furthermost point upstream on the Avon where you can paddle to easily. This means you can park here and paddle downstream, but still be able back to your start point without having to get out of your kayak. Anywhere below this point, you can paddle in either upstream or downstream, and then turn around to paddle back to your start point (assuming you’re in a kayak, not a raft or other river-craft).
The Avon Loop was Red Zoned after the quakes and all the lovely, historic cottages were demolished and the land cleared. Now the right bank is home to a new park, which with the historic cemetery on the left bank makes for a pleasant stretch of the river with a distinctly rural feel in the central city. A stand up paddle boarder went by, heading upstream. These river-craft can be hired from Airborn Paddle Hire.
The river narrowed after the quakes as a result of lateral spreading around this stretch and so the water can be a little swifter than the wider reaches.
As well as the rural like environment, there are plenty of birds on the river and it is good to see them going about their business, though there does seem to be a lot of Canada geese around. They have large broods, and because they form large flocks and are very protective of their young, many survive to adulthood.
Pomeroy’s Bar & Restaurant:
292 Kilmore Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch
There’s a nice, new landing just off Kilmore Street near Pomeroy’s which can make a good launch point so you can a beer & tasty food after your paddle. You can also stop here for a refreshment break, but be sure to lock up your kayaks & gear so they don’t wander off.
The above map shows the route of the Avon River as it flows through the Red Zone from the Avon Loop Landing near Pomeroy’s all the way down to the Bexley Landing near New Brighton.
Paddling through the Red Zone can be quite relaxing, especially when the river turns away from the busy section of Avonside Drive.
Retreat Road / Swanns Road Bridge Jetty:
240 Avonside Drive, Avonside, Christchurch
The Retreat Road Jetty near the Swanns Road bridge is across the river from the Richmond Community Garden and near Avebury House. There is easy parking available and this makes for a good launching point for paddling adventures through the Red Zone either upstream or downstream.
The Medway Footbridge is the first of a series of new footbridges that replaced various footbridges that were damaged in the Canterbury earthquakes. These bridges were a welcome boon for walkers and cyclists using the tracks alongside the river.
Dudley Creek is a small tributary that can be explored if the time is right and there is sufficient water the make the channel navigable. You can only go so far (around 500m) before before the channel gets too shallow and there are a few low bridges to squeeze under.
This is one of the more picturesque and peaceful sections of the Avon as it flows through the Red Zone and the few roads that follow the river are either closed or little used.
Gayhurst Road Bridge
652 Avonside Drive, Avonside, Christchurch 8061
There is a new “landing” downstream from Gayhurst Road Bridge with picnic tables, shelter and public toilets, however this facility is primarily for walkers or cyclists as there is no real launching point or jetty. Also the nearest car parking is across the river on Avonside Drive, so if you planned to launch here, you’d need to carry your craft over the bridge and down to the river.
Upstream from Kerrs Reach is the second new footbridge across the Avon and one of the prettiest, especially with the plantings around the approaches.
Kerrs Reach
839 Avonside Drive, Wainoni, Christchurch 8061
The area around Kerrs Reach will be redeveloped over the coming years, with the rowing & kayaking facilities being moved across the river and a new wetland and park being formed around Porritt Park & Avon Park. There are more details here.
Below Kerrs Reach, the river becomes wider and the tidal effects more noticeable. Most of the time the river flows through Red Zoned land, so there is plenty of regenerating nature & wetlands, with only rare housing visible, but there are a number of busy roads that run alongside the river so the feeling of remoteness that you get in the upstream Red Zone sections, may be missing in places.
Avondale Road Bridge
1152 Avonside Drive, Avondale, Christchurch 8061
The river becomes distinctly more tidal and the water more brackish as the river progresses through the Red Zone on its’ journey to the estuary. This section is probably most used by training race boat and waka ama paddlers. The third new footbridge also crosses this section near where Briarmont Street meets Hulverstone Drive.
The image below gives an indication of what the river setting is as you head towards the Anzac Avenue bridge. The banks often has reed beds or native vegetation lining them, making it more difficult to climb out.
Wainoni Road Bridge
336 Wainoni Road, Avondale, Christchurch 8061
Not the most inspirational section as the river becomes more coastal in character, however it is part of the journey.
Pages Road Bridge
657 Pages Road, Bexley, Christchurch 8061
A short section down to Owles Terrace Pontoon. No real launch point around the bridge and the river is brackish and tidal.
Owles Terrace Pontoon
60 Owles Terrace, Bexley, Christchurch 8061
The river widened and the current slows as you move from the river and into the estuary. Near the end of this journey, you pass Naughty Boys Island, named after a tragic event that claimed the lives of two boys who died after the tunnel they were digging in the river bank, collapsed.
After the island, the river widens and merges with the estuary, the mirrored surface of the water reflected the hills and clouds, and Lauri described it as like “paddling through the clouds and sky” and found it quite unnerving. It was certainly interesting if you focused on the horizon and the sky and water seem to merge to become one, with your kayak gliding smoothly along.
Kibblewhite Street Landing
57 Kibblewhite Street, New Brighton, Christchurch 8061
There is car parking here, and this is the recommended get out point. You can go further to explore the estuary, but you will need to be very conscious of the tides. At low tide the estuary is a vast mudflat crisscrossed with small, shallow channels that may not be navigable. You can easily get stranded and wading through the deep mud is not recommended. Care should also be taken if you decide to paddle to the entrance of the estuary, where the river meets the sea, as unpredictable currents may be present depending on the state of the tides & surf.