Walk Details

NZ Walking Routes > Canterbury > Christchurch > Coastal Daywalk - McCormacks Bay to Taylors Mistake

Coastal Daywalk - McCormacks Bay to Taylors Mistake

Location
This walk starts at McCormacks Bay, crosses to Celia Street and Beachville Road, then follows the coastal pathway around Monks Bay to Sumner Beach and promenade. It follows up Scarborough Road and Whitewash Head Road, climbs onto the cliff edge tracks that go onto Scarborough Head and finishes at Taylors Mistake.
Description

From the large car park on the east side of McCormacks Bay estuary, follow the footpath to the pedestrian island. Cross Main Road into the quiet Celia Street. As you walk along you pass a large car park on the seaward side and then a pleasant jetty. Redcliffs Park is on the other side with a children’s playground.

Turn into Beachville Road, which has become famous in recent years as the ‘Redcliffs Riviera’, because of the high real estate prices. You may glimpse a house built like the top part of a ship, with a funnel as well!

There is a pleasant section of walking along the sea wall with seats and tables, to the minuscule Beachville Reserve.

As Beachville Road joins into Main Road, turn left past Redcliffs shops and cafe for a short distance to the historic stone shelter. Here a good gravel path stays on the seaward side of the road, and the route passes an historic 1940 gun emplacement and then the Christchurch Yacht Club. Good views of the moored boats as the road swings round and the track reaches Rapanui Lookout. Seats and information panel here.

At mid to low tide you step straight onto the wide Sumner sands, walking past the distinctive Shag Rock. This lovely stretch of sand is always busy with people enjoying the day and it is easy walking to Cave Rock. If it is a low tide, you can walk to the seaward side of the rock and sneak through the cave. Otherwise climb up the steps to the promenade.

Walk along the broad path to Scarborough Park at the far end. Seating areas, a children’s playground and popular paddling pool here. Keep on the seaward side and walk along the footpath up Scarborough Road to the large stone house at the ‘road elbow’. Then take the Whitewash Head Road as it climbs up above Sumner with impressive views towards the Brighton Spit. Eventually this steep road narrows and there is a sign ‘Scarborough Head’. Walk up the steps past several seats onto the broad grassy top slopes of the headland and follow across to the track junction, where one branch goes inland to Nicholson Park (toilets and children’s playground).

For Taylors Mistake continue along the well gravelled cliff edge track as it swoops and rises along this dramatic coast. Lots of steps and seat vantage points, and note the alternative track back up to Taylors Mistake. Gradually the track drops down to Hobson Bay where there is a choice of route.

The low-tide option, descends to Hobson Bay and you walk along the beach sands and tidal platforms to the main Taylors Mistake beach. Children would enjoy this route.

The high-tide option, climbs up a sequence of steps and then sidles past the many baches and gradually descends down to the surf club building at Taylors Mistake. There is a large car park with toilets and children’s playground behind
the beach.

2.30 – 3 hours one way. This time is at a steady pace, with 10 minute breaks every hour.

Distance
7.0 km
Amenities
  • Benches
  • Birds
  • Carpark
  • Food and Drink
  • Historical
  • Lookouts
  • Picnics
  • Plant Life
  • Playground
  • Surfing
  • Swimming
  • Toilets
Source
www.ccc.govt.nz
Discussion
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