Avon River Walk (City Promenade Walk)

4 km • 2 Hours • Very Easy • Starting from the hospital end of Oxford Terrace, follow this riverside path to see some eels before continuing along it. You'll soon arrive at Victoria Square - a historic marketplace and popular spot for events! From there head into Cambridge Terrace where you can find many bars & restaurants. Be sure to stop off by John Court house which houses the Museum Of Canterbury Earthquake Historic Site Information Centre and Art Gallery.

27 March 2022
Walked by: Sandra from Freewalks

Home » South Island » Canterbury Region » Christchurch » Avon River Walk (City Promenade Walk)

The City Promenade walk along the Avon River starts near the Christchurch Botanic Gardens from the hospital on Oxford Terrace.

It’s a 4km return walk, that will take you around 2 hours. However, allow for an extra hour wandering around the Botanic Gardens, then at least another 30 mins to stop and take photos of the Avon River Punts, historic bridges, and more. You can also bike the track, but walking it is way better. With lovely trees and riverside beauty to one side and cafes, bars, restaurants to the other, this walk is the perfect way to get to know Christchurch’s city centre. The promenade finishes at the other end of Oxford Terrace, past the Margaret Mahy playground.

Explore the Local Area

Akaroa on Banks Peninsula is a historic French whaling depot. This spectacular French settlement is a must-do for every visitor. Sit back and relax while you are driven to Akaroa to explore this historic town. Then enjoy a cruise that showcases the natural delights Banks Peninsula has to offer. Absolutely stunning!

Quick Facts about this walk

Location: Christchurch, South Island
Distance: 4 km (Christchurch Botanic Gardens is extra)
Time needed: 2 hours with photo stops
Difficulty: Very Easy
Wheelchair Access: No
Route: Round Trip
Elevation: Flat
Wet Feet: No
Toilets: Yes
Dogs: Leash only
Mobile Coverage: Yes
Last Updated: March 2022

The City Promenade walk along the Avon River starts near the Christchurch Botanic Gardens from the hospital on Oxford Terrace.

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Summary points about this walk

Walk Highlights

Punting on the Avon River is a must. Stunning river views beside the track. Cafes, restaurants, and bars along the way.

Track Quality

You can walk the Avon River by following streets and roads.

Hazards

During winter the tracks can be wet and slippery, you should proceed with caution.

Transport

You can catch a taxi back to your parked car, however, a punt back down the Avon River would be a lot more enjoyable.

Water

There are plenty of shops where you can buy water.

Driving Instructions

Make your way to the start of the walk at the Christchurch Hospital.

Shops & Restaurants Nearby

A lot has changed after the earthquake, but there are now plenty of great places for dining in Christchurch.

Area & Trail History

Native trees, cafés, wildflowers, cafés, ponds full of ducks and frogs, cafés and did I mention restaurants? Christchurch was officially settled by the British in 1850. It was just thirteen years after their arrival that the initial plans were made to form the present Botanic Gardens. On 09 July 1863, an English oak tree was planted in the Gardens. This is regarded as the foundation date of the Botanic Gardens. The grounds of the Botanic Gardens encompass an area of 30 hectares 74 acres, the majority of this being within a loop of the Avon River. Until 1863, the Gardens were largely natural wetlands and sand dunes. Since this time, they have been transformed into a place of beauty with undoubtedly one of the finest collections of exotic and indigenous plants to be found anywhere in New Zealand. There are numerous large majestic trees, many of which are more than 120 years old.

City Promenade Walk Map Location

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Points of interest along the walk

About to walk over the bridge on the Avon River walk

Victoria Lake in the Botanic Gardens

When we got out of the car, we had to walk over to the lake to see what the noise was all about. It turned out to be the model boat racers zipping around the lake. From there, we walked over the footbridge and into the Botanic Gardens; just to the right of the gate was the information centre. The people there were pleased to answer our questions and gave us an excellent map of the Botanic Gardens and a map of Christchurch CBD. We spent around an hour walking around the Botanic Gardens then left by the southern bridge next to the hospital.

Avon River Walk - A lot has changed since the earthquake

It was a nice easy walk along the Avon River, you just walk over several bridges crossing over the Avon. The old water wheel where the first flour mill was built on that little island in late 1800.

Punting On the Avon River

Punting on the Avon – what a romantic way to travel and a very relaxing way to see Christchurch city centre. Believe it or not, the boatshed is a restaurant. It is well away from the busy and noisy downtown traffic.

Twin Towers Beams

Need to make a phone call, how is this for a phone box. The steel sculpture next to the bridge is made from pieces of steel from the twin towers building. To see the steel beams ripped apart like sheets of paper is unbelievable. If you are standing at the site of the tower’s beams then you are on the one-way street, Kilmore Street. Now walk east with the traffic for 1.22 km. Turn left at Park Terrace and walk 220 metres to the entrance to the park.

The end of the walk is at Barbadoes Street, end of Margaret Mahy Playground.