Halswell Quarry is a 60.4 hectare park.

It took me 40 minutes to walk around the six sister city gardens and a Canterbury botanical collection. Halswell Quarry all so has a very good dog excersize compound.

Quick Facts about this walk

  • Location: South Island
  • Distance: 1.30 kms
  • Time needed: 40 minutes
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Wheelchair Access: No
  • Route: Round Trip
  • Elevation: 125m
  • Wet Feet: No
  • Toilets: Yes
  • Dogs: Yes
  • Mobile Coverage: Yes
  • Last Updated: November, 2019

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Summary points about this walk

Walk Highlights

Halswell Quarry is a unique 60.4 hectare park, with an unusual combination of recreational walks, historic sites and botanical collections. Important historic buildings, parkland of short walks and wetland ponds. Halswell Quarry also features six sister city gardens and a Canterbury botanical collection. Tracks, viewing points and three car parking areas have made the park increasingly popular for walking and other recreational activities over the last decade.

Track Quality

Very good. Light gravel tracks all the way around.

Hazards

The track runs along the top of the quarry cliff face.

Transport

Bus No 100 to Halswell and Kenned Bush

Water

Yes. There are a number of drinking fountains along the walk and in the picnic area.

Driving Instructions

From down town Christchurch, drive south on Colombo St, turn right on to Moorhouse. Drive 1.5 km west on Moorhouse to a set of lights, turn to the left onto Lincoln. At 4.1 km you will drive through a set of lights and onto Highway 75, Halswell Rd is the main road to Akaroa Harbour. At 8.3 km there is a very busy cross road. You need to drive across and over to Kennedy’s Bush Rd. At 1.5 km you then turn in to Halswell Quarry.

Shops & Restaurants Nearby

No, only in Christchurch.

Area & Trail History

Halswell Quarry, which played a major role in the development of Christchurch, ceased production in 1990 after 140 years of quarrying. Its fine blue-grey stone can be seen in many of the city’s prominent buildings including the Canterbury Museum and Provincial Council Buildings.

Map Location

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Points of interest along the walk​

Halswell Quarry Walk
Halswell Quarry Walk - Start
Halswell Quarry Walk - Start

Point 1: Halswell Quarry Walk – Start

Driving in to the park you will see the quarry office to your right, drive past the main car park and toilets. Then drive up the large valley on your right and into the Findlay picnic area. In photo 2, as you drive around the corner, continue driving up the valley to the row of trees and park there. The third photo is the start of the track.

Halswell Quarry Walk - Points 2
Halswell Quarry Walk - Points 2
Halswell Quarry Walk - Points 2

Point 2: Halswell Quarry Walk

Walk up through the bush. And out onto a paddock. This should take you 10 minutes. At the sign turn to the right. 5 minutes on from the sign, you can stop for a cool drink at the water fountain. From here it is a short 5 minute walk to the top. Take a seat and enjoy the view.

Halswell Quarry Walk - Points 3
Halswell Quarry Walk - Points 3
Halswell Quarry Walk - Points 3Halswell Quarry Walk - Points 4

Point 3: Halswell Quarry Walk

The downhill journey is an easy one. Half way down the track, you should see the old crusher, over to the right, go and have a look. Half the shed is falling down and the other half is used by the ranger to store his gear. From there, walk back towards the main gate and onto the single mans house which is now the visitors centre. Get there early, they operate on banker’s hours. You drove past the house on the way in.

Halswell Quarry Walk - Points 3Halswell Quarry Walk - Points 4
Halswell Quarry Walk - Points 4
Halswell Quarry Walk - Points 4

Point 4: Halswell Quarry Walk

From there take your time and wonder around the gardens. There are six sister cities gardens in the park. Halswell Quarry Park can be very busy over the weekends. It is a great place for a picnic and there is a special paddock put aside for you to exercise the dogs.

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