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Waimakariri River, Christchurch Overview

The Waimakariri River, located just north of Christchurch, is a prominent braided river stretching 151 km from the Southern Alps to the Pacific Ocean. It offers a range of outdoor activities, including jet boating, kayaking, and fishing, making it a popular destination for adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers. The river's scenic surroundings and varied terrain also attract hikers and photographers, especially near its gorge and alpine-fed waters.

Waimakariri River flows in New Zealand. It is also known as the Courtenay River and is one of the largest rivers in North Canterbury. In the Maoris language, Waimakariri means a river of cold rushing water. The Waimakariri River is wide and shallow, making it easy and safe for tourists to explore. The beauty lies in its ecology. Its interesting topography beckons nature lovers and adventure seekers to unearth the thrill that the river offers.

The Waimakariri River is rich in vegetation and supports a variety of aquatic life, indicative of its clean and healthy water. Owing to its water quality, Chinook salmon was introduced here in the 1900s from California. Trout can also be found in the Waimakariri River. Many mosses and large alpine plants such as the Matagouri can be found near the river. The Waimakariri River is preferred for picnics because of its picturesque view. Plenty of water sports are also played here that are thoroughly enjoyed by all age groups. For the wanderers, there are so many walks and trails to choose from to discover the expanse and uniqueness of the river and the areas around it.

Getting Around

Waimakariri's abundant countryside, forests and expansive coastlines can be explored while enjoying the views on a bike or on foot. Alternatively, you can also travel by horseback or go trekking all the way through the Canterbury foothills.

Activities

The Waimakariri River is a hub of not only adrenaline-pumping activities and water-sports but also horse riding, farm tours, farmers' markets and much more.
White baiting is one of the most popular activities that the Waimakariri River facilitates.
You can extend your adventure spree up to the hills with outdoor activities like downhill biking and zip-lining through and through.
If you want you can stick to your conventional activities like surfing, kayaking and other beach sports.
You can fish for salmon and trout here and enjoy your catch of the day.

Short Walks Along the Waimakariri River

The Waimakariri is 20 minutes north of Christchurch. The area around Waimakariri has a great selection of walking tracks ranging from 20 minutes to a couple of hours.

Water Activities

There is plenty of fun, frolic and adventure to be had on Waimakariri's waterways.

Lake Pegasus is surrounded by beautiful sandy and pebbly beaches that facilitate a secure and scenic spot to sail and kayak.
You can also enjoy a picnic on the lakeside with family and friends.
The wide coastal beaches and the water splashing on the shores make it perfect for a seaside stroll, a plunge, or just to dip your toes in the Waimakariri River.
Jet boating is another activity imbued with a thrill that allows you to get a glimpse of the rugged terrain.
You can book a slot on the Water Horse that looks like a mini yacht and experience the Waimakariri River in a different way.
Since the weather is unpredictable and so is the water current, Waimakariri River is not recommended for swimming.

Events

The Waimakariri river area is always abuzz with activities and footfall. These events are usually centred around sports, yummy food, spectacular wine, mind-blowing arts, its rich culture, regional festivals, fairs and even local markets. Even though these activities take place throughout the week the maximum rush is during the weekends. Keep a track of the events calendar by either asking a local or by confirming it from the DOC visitor’s centre.

Tips

It is highly recommended to plan your trip well in advance to have the maximum out of the visit.
Get in touch with the locals about the trails and the tracks. There are so many tracks that start from different access points and have varying durations. You can always visit the DOC visitor centre for more information about the tracks and choose what suits you the best in terms of area to be discovered, time in hand, convenience.
Try not to go alone here as sometimes the waves can be a bit risky. Keep your family informed about your plans and schedules while visiting here.
Do keep track of the weather. New Zealand's weather can be highly unpredictable which can cause serious turbulence in the river rendering it dangerous to be visited. You can also confirm the same from the DOC visitor centre.
If you want to challenge yourself and check your resilience and stamina, please do it in reasonable physical limits.
There is a lot of rush during summer months for boating. Be ready to wait.
Make sure that you take sufficient food, clothing, equipment and emergency rations even if you are going there for a short span of time.
Also, carry proper means of communication with you because sometimes there is low signal strength.
Be careful near the river. There are no lifeguards. You are responsible for your own life and safety.
Be wary of the strong currents running through the water and the boat speed.

How To Reach Waimakariri River

There are a number of ways through which you can reach the Waimakariri River, namely:

The first one is through Kaiapoi River Boat Camps. When there are no coastguards there is more parking space for private boats.
The second one is through Kairaki Beach Boat Ramp which is another public boat launching ramp like the Kaiapoi River Boat Camp. This camp provides access to the Waimakariri River situated at Kairaki Beach settlement.
The Kairaki Beach and the Pines Beach also provide access to the Waimakariri River. The beach communities provide a link between coastal car parks and beach sites close to the mouth of the braided river.