Walk Details

NZ Walking Routes > Canterbury > Christchurch > Town to Gown Daywalk

Town to Gown Daywalk

Location
The walk starts from the main Botanic Gardens car parking area off Rolleston Avenue and finishes at the Ilam Gardens.
Description

Start from the main car parking area off Rolleston Avenue and walk past the Kate Shepherd Memorial walk. Take the sealed path past the golf clubhouse. From here the path splits, follow the long diagonal to the junction of Harper and Deans avenues.

At the lights cross Deans Avenue to Fendalton Road. Follow this road to a small road bridge over the Avon River. Follow the gateway crossing the Queens footbridge into Mona Vale reserve. Leave Mona Vale following the exit road south past the gatehouse and Christchurch Girls High School to Matai Street East. Walk on the pedestrian accessway over the railway and into Matai Street West to Straven Road. Pedestrian lights lead into an accessway cutting past the Christchurch Boys High School grounds to Kahu Road.

Cross the road and walk up the driveway to Riccarton House and Deans Cottage. Take the short kahikatea circuit trail through Riccarton Bush. (well worth the side trip).

From Deans Cottage walk along the pathway to Ngahere Street. Turn left into Totara Street and right into Miro Street and then left into Hinau Street.

Cross Puriri Street and then continue to Hinau Street and Clyde Road. Cross turning right into University Drive. Follow the pathway through the university past the Okeover Homestead to Ilam Road.

Cross Ilam Road and walk aong the riverside path across a footbridge into the grounds of the old Ilam Homestead, now the University Staff Club.

There are many paths that wind through the rhododendrons of Ilam Gardens with footbridges across the upper Avon River and Ilam Stream. There are seats throughout the gardens and areas to have a picnic lunch.

3 hrs one way allowing 10 min breaks every hour.
Estimated times: 1 hr to Mona Vale, 2 hrs to including Riccarton Bush; 3 hrs to Ilam Gardens.
These times include time to explore Mona Vale, Riccarton Bush, kahikatea circuit trail and Ilam Gardens.

Distance
7.0 km
Amenities
  • Benches
  • Birds
  • Carpark
  • Food & Drink
  • Historical
  • Picnics
  • Plant Life
  • Toilets
Source
Christchurch City Council – Gardens and Homes
Discussion
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