Travelling with Pets - CANTERBURY

With leafy esplanades to stroll down, cool lakes to fetch sticks from and vast plains to day-trip across, make every day a new adventure with your bestie.

DOG PARKS

THE GROYNES, NORTHWOOD CHRISTCHURCH Just north of Christchurch city centre, you’ll find this slice of heaven for both dogs and owners. The park consists of large open spaces with plenty of trees and two spring-fed streams for your dog to take a dip. Eight (yes really eight) fenced areas and three obstacle courses, including one for small dogs, will tucker out your pooch while you relax at one of the picnic and BBQ areas. Fresh drinking water and a wash down area are the icing on the cake.

VICTORIA PARK DOG PARK, PORT HILLS This huge dog park, accessed from Victoria Park Road, is fully fenced so curious dogs are free to explore around the steep ridges, grasslands and rocky outcrops. Fresh water is available for pit stops.

RAWHITI DOMAIN DOG PARK, NEW BRIGHTON Open all day, this large dog park is the social hub of town, perfect for some off-leash social time. Accessed from Shaw Ave, you’ll find grassy areas to zoom on, trees to snuffle around and agility equipment (including an A-frame, tunnel and beam) for the brainy ones.

MORE…

• Gladstone Dog Park, Pegasus

• Kaiapoi Dog Park

• Milton Memorial Dog Park

• Southbrook Dog Park

• Bexley Reserve Dog Park

• Horseshoe Lake Dog Park

• Lake Tekapō Dog Park

CHECK OUT

DOG-FRIENDLY EATERIES IN CHRISTCHURCH Central Bark Cafe • Rollickin Gelato (see their doggie events) • Six Ounces • Antigua Boat Sheds • Brewery Bar & Restaurant • Qubed Coffee Lounge

BRONZE SHEEPDOG STATUE, TWIZEL Close to the Church of the Good Shepherd, this statue pays tribute to hardy Kiwi working dogs and recognising their contribution to the farming community.

STYX MILL RESERVE, CHRISTCHURCH If there was a Rainbow’s End for dogs this would be it! Enter this glorious dog park from Hussey Road or Styx Mill Road and discover the giant fenced doggie area set within the reserve. A real hidden treasure, that’s not to be missed. The park closes at 7.30pm daily or 5.30pm in winter. Check out their Facebook page for regular catchups and events.

TOP & TAIL TIP

Don’t miss the Christchurch Pet & Animal Expo on Saturday 3 December 2022.

Banks Peninsula

© Adobe Stock

WALKIES

MOUNT FYFFE FOREST WALK, KAIKŌURA Moderate 3km loop, some off-leash

CONICAL HILL LOOP TRAIL, HANMER SPRINGS Moderate 3km loop, on-leash

HANMER FOREST LOOP TRAIL, HANMER SPRINGS Easy 6km loop, on-leash

READY MONEY TRAIL, CHEVIOT Easy 3km loop, on-leash

GREY RIVER NATURE TRAIL, ASHLEY FOREST Easy 2km loop, on-leash

ASHLEY GORGE LOOP & WATERFALL TRACK Easy 5km loop, on-leash

PEGASUS LAKE WALK, PEGASUS Easy 3.5km loop, on-leash

BOTTLE LAKE GREEN TRACK, CHRISTCHURCH Easy 3.5km loop, some off-leash

DRAYTON RESERVE TRACK, CHRISTCHURCH Moderate 2km return, on-leash

ŌTIPUA CREEK WALK, TIMARU Easy 2km loop, on-leash

LIFFEY STREAM WALK, LINCOLN Easy 2km return, on-leash

NEWTON’S WATERFALL FROM AKAROA Easy 4km return, on-leash

TALBOT FOREST WALK, GERALDINE Easy 4km loop, some off-leash

CANYON CREEK TRACK VIA AHURIRI VALLEY TRACK, NEAR TWIZEL Easy 8.5km point-to-point, on-leash

Blaze

© Adeline Bosman

BIG ADVENTURES

BOTTLE LAKE FOREST BLUE TRACK, CHRISTCHURCH Easy 11.5km loop, some offleash areas

COWANS HILL WALKWAY, TEKAPŌ Easy 6.5km return, on-leash

LYNDON SADDLE, CRAGIEBURN Moderate 5km return, on-leash

HARRY ELL WALKWAY, VICTORIA PARK Easy 6km return, on-leash

PŪKAKI FLATS WALK, TWIZEL Easy 12km loop, on-leash

GODLEY HEAD LOOP TRACK, CHRISTCHURCH Moderate 8km loop, on-leash

DOG-FRIENDLY SPOTS

Keep 100m clear from Surf Life Saving Club pavilions while on these beaches.

• Waimairi Beach

• Spencer Park Beach

• New Brighton Beach

• Ward Beach

• Sandy Beach

• Sumner Beach

• Lyttelton Harbour’s beach and foreshore areas

• Akaroa Beaches: Little Akaroa Beach

• Le Bon’s BayBeach

• Tikao Bay Beach

• French Farm Beach

• Corsair Bay

Kharlea

© Ashley Scott

DOG-FRIENDLY MUST DO’S

MT LYFORD ADVENTURE PARK Take your pup on an adventure of a lifetime at one of nature’s most epic playgrounds. Days will be filled with 27km of trails and roads to experience on self-guided mountain bike, hike, ski or snow-shoe experience. While your friend has their afternoon snooze, hire a pair of skates and go for a glide over Lake Stella – the park’s own private ice-skating rink. Finish the day at an on mountain hut and relax in a wood-fired bathtub.

MOUNTAIN DOG CHALLENGE Leash up your pup and together take on the challenge to summit ten official peaks as part of the Further Faster NZ epic adventure. There is no time limit to complete it within, so it is the goal that keeps on giving. Once you reach the top, take a photo, then tag #furtherfasternz and #mountaindogchallenge on your Facebook or Instagram posts.

© Lynne Graham

HAPPY CAMPERS

Make sure before you book to check that your accommodation welcomes your furry friends and also that you agree to all of their pet policies.

• Lake Middleton Campsite, Lake Ōhau

• Pioneer Park DOC Campsite, Broomfield

• Temple DOC Campsite, Lake Ōhau

• North South Holiday Park, Christchurch

• Timaru TOP 10 Holiday Park

• Hanmer Springs TOP 10 Holiday Park

• Kaikōura TOP 10 Holiday Park

• Alpine-Pacific Motel & Holiday Park, Kaikōura

• Delhaven Motels & Camping Ground, Amberley

• Alpine View Holiday Park & Motels, Christchurch

• Mistletoe Flats Campsite, Craigieburn

• Lake Taylor DOC Campsite, Lake Sumner Forest Park, Lewis Pass

• Loch Katrine DOC Campsite, Lake Sumner Forest Park, Lewis Pass

• Rākaia River Holiday Park

• Boyle Campsite, Lewis Pass

Oscar

© Carolyn Simpson