Canterbury

Christchurch

You'd think a city with a trail called the Bridle path as one of its major attractions would be horse friendly - not really. Just 3 parks, including Baynons Brake in Waimakariri, to ride, but you can go to the beaches.

Bottle Lake Forest Park

Bottle Lake Forest Park is situated approximately 10 km north east of central Christchurch, adjacent to the coast. This is an operational forest, owned by Christchurch City Council and managed by Matariki Rayonier Forests.

Access and Parking

  • The main entrance and car park 100 Waitikiri Drive

  • Seafield Horse Park, 65 Heyders Rd

  • Southern Pegasus Bay

Seafield Horse Park, Spencer Park

Open 8.00 am to 7.00pm (till 9pm summer time)

These areas all link up to the Bottle Lake Forest trails. Spencer Park is 81 ha, Seafield Park is 78ha Ride across Heyders Rd onto the Bottle Lake Forest Park trails.

The horse float park is available at Seafield Park - approx 65 Heyders Rd.

Macleans Island National Equestrian Centre

820 McLeans Island Road, Christchurch

Gates open: 7am and closed at 10pm - all year round.

McLeans Island Map (pdf) NEC CHCH website

2.9km hacking track around the perimeter of the grounds. 5 all weather arenas available for hire and 2 cross-country courses. Annual Membership provides access to a number of facilities, or you can pay on a per horse\per day basis.

Macleans Forest

General horse access is not permitted in Macleans Forest, Refer to Waimakariri River Park for trails

West Melton Forest Horse Park

Refer Waimakariri River Park

Christchurch Beaches

The Council places no restrictions on riding on the beach.

  • Stay well away from surf lifesaving patrolled areas and high use beach areas.

  • Ride below the high tide mark to wash away any manure, and protect any nesting birds.

Riders should be aware that:

  • The beach is used by vehicles north of Heyders Road to the Waimakariri River

  • Dogs may be off their leash

  • Kite boarding, kite surfing, and land yachting occurs in some areas of the beach

Southern Pegasus Bay

Enter from

  • Bottle Lake Forest Park

  • Heyders Rd beach entrance (carpark at the end of Heyders Rd, past Seafield horse park)

  • Broad park carpark, off Larnarch St (beach entrance is just north of Waimari Surf Life saving club so always turn left/ north away from the busy swimming area)

  • Stout St, has a turnaround and may provide parking for 1 or two floats or trucks.

New Brighton Beach

Park on the side of marine parade, use one of the existing tracks to access the beach, do not ride through the dunes. Best spot is between Bridge St (near the Surf Life Saving Club) and Sturdee St on the beach access side of Marine Parade . Ride south from this access point to avoid swimmers around the Surf Life Saving club.