Port Hills
The volcanic ridge between the city and Lyttelton harbour, with the Southern Alps beyond.
Duration
2 hrs – 4 hrs
Difficulty
●●●○○
Best time
Late afternoon
Open
Every day
Entry price
Free
The Port Hills are the northern rim of a collapsed volcano: Banks Peninsula is made of two drowned craters, and Lyttelton harbour fills one of them. The ridge therefore separates the city from its port.
From the crest you have Christchurch and the Canterbury plains out to the Southern Alps on one side, the harbour and the sea on the other. Summit Road follows it for kilometres, and many walking and mountain-bike trails leave from it. The gondola climbs from Heathcote for those who would rather not walk.
Getting there
Gondola from Heathcote Valley, fifteen minutes from the centre, or Summit Road by car. Several paths climb from the southern suburbs.
What to bring
- Walking shoes
- Windbreaker
- Sportswear
Rules on site
The wind on the ridge is strong and cold even in fine weather: one more layer than in town. Bushfires regularly close sections of trail in summer — check conditions before setting off.