Spencer Park became a domain in 1933 and was named after the first Domain Board chairman.

It has an exciting walk through wild wetlands and along an South Island East coast beach. Spencer Park is very popular beach for swimming and having a pick nick with the family, and it is only 15k from the heart of Christchurch.

Quick Facts about this walk

  • Location: South Island NZ
  • Distance: 9 kms
  • Time needed: 2 Hours 30 Minutes
  • Difficulty: Very Easy
  • Wheelchair Access: No
  • Route: Round Trip
  • Elevation: Unknown
  • Wet Feet: No
  • Toilets: Yes
  • Dogs: Leash only
  • Mobile Coverage: Yes
  • Last Updated: November, 2019

We’ve partnered with Macpac outdoor walking & hiking gear to bring you the very best products designed exclusively for our New Zealand climate. They’ll ship for FREE within NZ on orders over $100 (if under $100 it’s only $5). Worldwide international shipping is available except to the USA. Bulky orders will be $20.

Summary points about this walk

Motorhome Rental Deals

specials

Save up to 75% off tours

specials

Points of interest along the walk​

Point 1: Start, Spencer Park walk

Start from the end of the carpark, the sign over by the tree will show you the way to the left.
Walk up and over the sandy bank, there is a look out on your right at the top of the sandy hill drop down the sandy bank and through the trees and on to the turnoff. Follow the sign to the right.

Point 2: Rabbit

The track is an open and sandy with very little protection from the sun.
On a very windy day, you could have a problem with the sand blowing off the top of the sand hills and into your face and eyes, so take a pair of sun glasses with you.
There are marked tracks on your right hand side cutting over to the main beach; if you decide to change your mind and cut the walk short take one of these tracks over the sand dunes and onto the beach then walk back to the car
The small pine plantation is very enjoyable to walk through, we were lucky to see the odd rabbit in among the pines

Point 3: Waimakariri River

Out on the point was very interesting, we were there on a Saturday so the river was very busy.
Old sailing ships, jet ski and speed boats. We found a table and chairs just for us. We watched the boats zoom buy while we had our lunch.

Point 4: Plenty of Sea Birds

The walk back was not that interesting, a flock of sea birds on the beach to start with, washed up shells, dead crabs, fish and lots of sea weed.
We had the whole beach to our self’s, it took one hour to walk back to the car park at a very slow pace

Join our Facebook Group

FACEBOOK

North Island Walks

free walks

South Island Walks

free walks