2009. Heathcote Quarry Park to John Britten Reserve, Port Hills

2009. Hammerton Lane view of Heathcote Valley, Castle Rock & Horotane Valley, Christchurch


2009. Hammerton Lane view of Heathcote Valley, Horotane Valley & Avoca Valley, Christchurch


2009. Hammerton Lane view of Lower Heathcote Valley & Ferrymead, Christchurch

I parked my car in Bridle Path Road, Heathcote Valley, and started up steep wooden steps towards HEATHCOTE QUARRY PARK. Wooden signs stated:

HEATHCOTE QUARRY PARK
OLD QUARRY SITE 10 MINS
MAJOR HORNBROOK ROAD 30 MINS

SCOTT VALLEY TRACK TO BRIDLE PATH
STARTS AT OLD QUARRY SITE 10 MINS


2009. Bridle Path Road entrance to Heathcote Quarry Park, Christchurch

The guesstimator of those times must've been an Olympic athlete, as I'd never achieved any Port Hills walks in times stated on direction signs. Native plantings disguised houses and smallholdings beside the steep, uphill zigzagging track. I climbed a series of wooden steps, with sheep in a young olive grove on my right. Where steps were small, I ascended two at a time.


2009. Heahcote Quarry Park view of Heathcote Valley & Horotane Valley, Christchurch


2009. Smallholding Olives & Sheep, Heathcote Quarry Park. Heathcote Valley & Horotane Valley backdrop, Christchurch


2009. Heathcote Quarry Park Track, Heathcote Valley, Christchurch


2009. Smallholding Sheep & Olives. Lower Heathcote Valley, Ferrymead, Woolston backdrop, Christchurch

At the MAJOR HORNBROOK ROAD TRACK / OLD QUARRY SITE junction I turned right down the muddy track to the Old Quarry Site. Ten days of rain and gloomy mist had mired tracks. At the Old Quarry I sat on a wooden FERRYMEAD bench and admired Ferrymead in Heathcote Valley below, and beyond to Christchurch hazy CBD, and snowy Southern Alps.


2009. Heathcote Quarry view of Lower Heathcote Valley, Ferrymead & Southern Alps. Heathcote Estuary right, Christchurch

By the Old Quarry I turned back at a sign which stated:

MORGANS VALLEY TRACK TO
BRIDLE PATH 40 MINS

I rejoined MAJOR HORNBROOK ROAD TRACK, as I wanted to climb Heathcote Valley bluffs sandwiched between Saint Andrews Hill housing on top, with Bridle Path Road housing below. I zigzagged up Major Hornbrook Road Track which was dangerously muddy. I passed lots of NZ broom and some exotic gorse beside the track.


2009. Major Hornbrook Road Track view of Heathcote Valley & Horotane Valley, Christchurch


2009. Major Hornbrook Road Track view of Lower Heathcote Valley, Horotane Valley & Avoca Valley, Christchurch

I stopped at a rickety wooden picnic bench, anchored by rocks, and took my first sip of Schweppes Sparkling Duet, while admiring grand views over Heathcote Valley, Heathcote Estuary, Christchurch CBD, and the Alps.


2009. Major Hornbrook Road Track view of Lower Heathcote Valley, Ferrymead & Heathcote Estuary, Christchurch


2009. Major Hornbrook Road Track view of Lower Heathcote Valley, Ferrymead & Woolston, Christchurch

I continued climbing Major Hornbrook Road Track below bluffs up the valley. Water trickled down the track, while I left my jandal prints amongst boot prints and dog paw prints in the mud.


2009. Major Hornbrook Road Track: Steps view of Lower Heathcote Valley, misty Canterbury Plains & Southern Alps

I climbed 60 wooden steps up the side of a bluff, and came upon another junction with Major Hornbrook Road Track going up more wooden steps to the left. On my right, I passed through a small gate to Kenton Track, a wooden sign stating:

KENTON TRACK TO
SUMMIT ROAD 40 MINS


2009. Kenton Track view of Lower Heathcote Valley, misty Canterbury Plains & Southern Alps

Above the bluffs, Kenton Track was drier than Major Hornbrook Road Track below. I sidled below housing boundary fences on Mount Pleasant. In paddocks, iron fence standards with orange plastic caps marked the way up, with magnificent views towards John Britten Reserve on top, and Castle Rock, The Tors, Heathcote Valley and Avoca Valley on my right.


2009. Kenton Track view of Saint Andrews Hill, Heathcote Estuary, misty Canterbury Plains & Southern Alps


2009. Kenton Track northern view of Lower Heathcote Valley, Woolston, misty Canterbury Plains, Southern Alps


2009. Kenton Track Stone Wall view of Lower Heathcote Valley & misty Canterbury Plains

At the end of houses by pines, I came across an old concrete water trough and an old stone wall, with wintry views over Christchurch and beyond. I followed the stone wall to an old stile with no fencing, where Kenton Track petered out, becoming stock tracks.

The fence had been moved leftwards, and blocked another stile further left, with Kenton Track going uphill towards John Britten Reserve. Kenton Track needed more development, or walkers would die falling off misty crags.


2009. Kenton Track view of a Mount Pleasant cliff left & Mount Cavendish right, Christchurch


2009. Kenton Track view of Morgans Valley, Heathcote Valley, Horotane Valley, Christchurch


2009. Kenton Track view of Morgans Valley, Heathcote Valley, Horotane Valley, Avoca Valley, Christchurch

By pylons I continued right, as I wanted to see rock-climbers' crags above Heathcote Valley. I walked along the top of a Mount Pleasant cliff, which could easily be reached from Major Hornbrook Road housing development on my left. I passed a Vodafone radio transmitter on my left, fat white discs on a pole, with fencing and a warning sign.

In the distance I saw Britten Crags with rock-climbers, wearing bright gear, climbing and abseiling. As I would have to climb down a gully and up again to reach them, I turned uphill towards John Britten Reserve, crossed a fence, and found Kenton Track again, marked by wooden planks with blue and red tags, the red tags stating: NO BIKES.


2009. John Britten Reserve view of Lower Heathcote valley, misty Canterbury Plains, Southern Alps


2009. John Britten Reserve view of Morgans Valley, Heathcote Valley, Horotane Valley, Avoca Valley, Port Hills, Christchurch


2009. John Britten Reserve view of Mount Cavendish Gondola Station & Castle Rock, Port Hills, Christchurch


2009. John Britten Reserve westwards view of Lower Heathcote Valley, misty Canterbury Plains, Southern Alps


2009. John Britten Reserve view of Heathcote Valley, Horotane Valley, Avoca Valley, Port Hills, Christchurch


2009. John Britten Reserve view of Mount Cavendish Gondola Station & Castle Rock, with Horotane Valley behind, Port Hills, Christchurch


2009. John Britten Reserve northern view of misty Canterbury Plains & Southern Alps


2009. John Britten Reserve view of southern Crater Rim Peaks, Port Hills, Christchurch


2009. John Britten Reserve view of Heathcote Estuary, misty Canterbury Plains & Southern Alps

It took me 1 hour 50 mins from Bridle Path Road to reach the top of JOHN BRITTEN RESERVE by Summit Road. John Kenton Britten had been an innovative motorbike designer, who died on 05.09.1995.

I lingered at the top, drinking Schweppes, and enjoying views of the Gondola Station on Mount Cavendish (445 m) and Crater Rim peaks southwards, Port Hills valleys, misty Canterbury Plains and cloudy Alps westwards, and Pegasus Bay eastwards. By Summit Road a sign stated:

KENTON TRACK TO
HEATHCOTE QUARRY 30 MINS


2009. John Britten Reserve view of Avon-Heathcote Estuary, misty Canterbury Plains & Southern Alps


2009. John Britten Reserve view of Avon-Heathcote Estuary, Southshore Spit, misty Canterbury Plains, Pegasus Bay & Southern Alps

I descended straight down muddy Kenton Track towards housing development on Mount Pleasant, passed through a small gate by pylons again, crossed a stile near the old stone wall, and crossed a fence by a big rock to rejoin where I'd ascended Heathcote Valley. As I'd already slipped in John Britten Reserve, I used a discarded iron fence standard as a staff, stopping me slipping on my muddy descent.


2009. John Britten Reserve view of Avon-Heathcote Estuary, Southshore Spit, Pegasus Bay & Southern Alps


2009. John Britten Reserve view of Avon-Heathcote Estuary Mouth, Southshore Spit & Pegasus Bay

Sidling below houses again, I saw someone's powerful telescope in a room aiming at houses in Heathcote Valley below. My descent from John Britten Reserve back to Bridle Pass Road took me about 1 hour. As it was a wintry Thursday afternoon, I had the muddy tracks to myself.

Coda: During the 2010-2011 earthquakes, Christchurch, Heathcote Valley & Castle Rock were quake damaged. Referring to the 22.02.11 quake, Geonet reported: "The highest shaking was recorded at Heathcote Valley Primary School at 220%g..." as Heathcote Valley was above the epicentre 5 kms below. In 1995 I'd observed lessons at Heathcote Valley PS, but gave up the idea of NZ teaching, as I was too deaf.

Content & pics Copyright Mark JS Esslemont.

2009. Heathcote River Estuary Circuit, Christchurch

2009. Tunnel Road over Heathcote Bridge up Heathcote Valley, Port Hills, Christchurch

I parked my car in Charlesworth Street near Ferry Road, as I wanted to walk around Heathcote River Estuary. I walked upriver along Heathcote River towpath past old Heathcote Wharf, over a creek footbridge, then crossed Heathcote Bridge, which took busy traffic along Tunnel Road up Heathcote Valley, Christchurch.


2009. Heathcote Estuary Wetlands near Heathcote Bridge, Heathcote Valley, Christchurch

I walked downriver beside Heathcote River south bank, along a muddy vehicle track in Heathcote River Reserve. Horse hoofprints, MTB tracks and puddles sludged the track. Native plantings behind a fence obscured Heathcote River on my left, but scrubby wetland on my right with a grand view of Heathcote Valley, Horotane Valley and Avoca Valley, Port Hills made the mud bearable.


2009. Tunnel Road on right going towards Heathcote Valley left. Horotane Valley middle, Avoca Valley right, Port Hills, Christchurch

By a pine shelterbelt the road track became an MTB shared gravel track in Heathcote Valley Heritage Park, with soggy farmlands going up Heathcote Valley. Tunnel Road traffic noise was irritating, but breaks in the pine shelterbelt enabled me to explore the riverbank, with views to the towpath on the opposite north bank, and views downriver towards Saint Andrews Hill suburb.


2009. Heathcote River Estuary downriver view towards Saint Andrews Hill, Port Hills, Christchurch. The brand new block of flats, middle left, was destroyed in the 22.02.11 quake & demolished

At one pine break I saw two middle-aged lesbians in amorous clinch, which they converted to vigorous stick throwing for their dog when they spotted me. The water-frolicking dog enjoyed their sudden attention. Another woman walking her dog passed me in pine tree freedom.


2009. Heathcote River Estuary downriver view towards Devil's Elbow & St Andrews Hill, Christchurch


2009. Heathcote River Estuary Salt Marsh in Devil's Elbow, Christchurch

I continued my riparian stroll, enjoying river views of Devil's Elbow salt marshes, and valley views. I crossed a creek tributary by Heathcote River Devil's Elbow, and passed under two rows of electric pylons marching up to Avoca Valley.


2009. Pylons, south bank Heathcote River Estuary, marching towards, Horotane Valley & Avoca Valley, Port Hills, Christchurch


2009. South-eastwards view over Heathcote River Estuary Salt Marsh towards Ferrymead & Heathcote Valley, Christchurch


2009. looking west over Soggy Paddocks beside south bank of Heathcote River Estuary, Christchurch


2009. Heathcote River Estuary south bank Wetland. Horotane Valley & Avoca Valley, Port Hills backdrop


2009. White Faced Heron, Heathcote River Estuary, Christchurch

Pine trees petered out by waterlogged horse paddocks beside Heathcote Estuary. The gravel track continued across a small causeway towards Ferrymead Golf Course on my right, and Heathcote Estuary salt marshes on my left.

I looked back at the big bend downriver of Devil's Elbow, and enjoyed the play of sunlight across salt marsh waters. I watched a white faced heron wading in the shallows, looking for prey. Two chatty girls on MTBs pedalled past below Ferrymead Golf Course. A bloke riding an MTB also rumbled past in the opposite direction.


2009. Northwards view of Heathcote River Estuary Salt Marsh, Christchurch


2009. Eastwards view of Heathcote River Estuary Salt Marsh, Christchurch


2009. Heathcote River Estuary Salt Marsh near Ferrymead. St Andrews Hill backdrop, Christchurch


2009. Ferrymead Golf Course near Heathcote River Estuary. Heathcote Valley, Horotane Valley & Avoca Valley backdrop, Christchurch


2009. Heathcote River Big Bend after Devil's Elbow near Ferrymead, Christchurch


2009. Heathcote River Last Big Bend by Ferrymead. St Andrews Hill backdrop, Christchurch


2009. Heathcote River Estuary Salt Marsh near Ferrymead Park, Christchurch


2009. Heathcote River Estuary Salt Marsh by Ferrymead Park Railway, Christchurch

I crossed another tributary creek at Ferrymead Golf Course entrance, and passed two gates too. I looked at the last big bend on Heathcote Estuary as it flowed past Ferrymead. I crossed Ferrymead Park railway over another creek. There were not one, but three red, black and cream plastic signs fastened to poles stating:

PRIVATE PROPERTY
AUTHORISED
PERSONNEL ONLY
ALL TRESPASSERS
WILL BE
PROSECUTED


2009. Ferrymead Park Sign by Heathcote River Estuary, Christchurch


2009. Ferrymead Park Railway. Horotane Valley backdrop, Christchurch


2009. Ferrymead Tram near Heathcote River Estuary, Christchurch

Ferrymead Park was chasing tourist dollars, but needed to inspire local goodwill, as it lost mine the moment I read those signs. As I wanted to follow Heathcote Estuary, a short walkway through Ferrymead Park would've got me through asap. Traffic lights by the operating tram track led me along a grotty tarsealed road to Ferrymead Park reception office, where a board stated:

FERRYMEAD
HERITAGE
PARK

ENTRANCE ->

<- CARPARK


2009. Ferrymead Park Reception. Horatane Valley backdrop, Christchurch


2009. Maori Pa, Ferrymead Park. St Andrews Hill backdrop, Christchurch


2009. Maori Pa beyond Ferrymead Tramway. Horotane Valley & Avoca Valley backdrop, Christchurch


2009. Ferrymead Station by Heathcote River. Horotane Valley & Avoca Valley backdrop, Christchurch


2009. Railway at Ferrymead Wharf by Heathcote River, Christchurch

Beside the tarsealed road on my left I passed a pseudo Maori Pa, all logs and rustic huts on a pseudo hill, and a pseudo wetland across the road with an "algal bloom" warning sign beside the water.

Tired of Sunday afternoon traffic on the tarsealed road, I walked beside a tram track past the Maori Pa to Rivermead Park Station and Wharf beside Heathcote Estuary. I saw old buses, trams and a trolley bus by sheds, and watched tourists riding a tram from the TRAM STOP towards more thrills in Ferrymead Park.


2009. Working Tram, Ferrymead Tram Stop by Heathcote River. Horotane Valley backdrop, Christchurch


2009. Old Tram, Ferrymead Tramway by Heathcote River. Horotane Valley backdrop, Christchurch.

I walked past Ferrymead Printery and out Ferrymead Park gate, where a blue and white sign stated:

269
FERRYMEAD
TRAMWAY

FERRYMEAD HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC &
HERITAGE TRAMWAYS TRUST


2009. Ferrymead Park Gate, Ferrymead Terrace by Heathcote River, Christchurch

I walked down Ferrymead Terrace towards Ferrymead Bridge beside pseudo, broad-gauge railway tracks, past old Ferrymead House on Heathcote Estuary bank by the old Ferry Landing Site. On a rock beside the road a black granite plaque stated:

NEW ZEALAND'S FIRST RAILWAY
THIS STONE MARKS THE SITE OF FERRYMEAD
WHARF AND RAILWAY STATION

THE PROVINCIAL BROAD GAUGE RAILWAY
STARTED HERE FOR CHRISTCHURCH
IN THE YEAR 1863
CANTERBURY PILGRIMS & EARLY SETTLERS ASSN.


2009. New Zealand's First Railway Memorial, Ferrymead Terrace by Heathcote River, Christchurch


2009. Ferrymead Terrace & Heathcote River near Ferrymead Bridge. Heathcote Valley, Horotane Valley & Avoca Valley backdrop, Christchurch

Below a gum tree, I watched a Maori man fishing the incoming tide by Ferrymead Bridge. On a board by the bridge I read a RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ACT 1991 Application for a Resource Consent Notice about dredging Heathcote Estuary over the next 35 years, as Heathcote Estuary had silted up.


2009. Heathcote River near Ferrymead Bridge. Ferrymead House on left. Horotane Valley & Avoca Valley backdrop, Christchurch


2009. Heathcote River entering Avon-Heathcote Estuary by Ferrymead Bridge, Christchurch


2009. Resource Consent Application Notice for dredging by Ferrymead Bridge, Christchurch


2009. Ferrymead Bridge view of Heathcote River, Heathcote Valley & Horotane Valley, Christchurch

I stood on Ferrymead Bridge and watched the Pacific wheezing, snapped upriver Coolpix, then returned to my car on the north bank via lower Heathcote River towpath. Several late afternoon MTBs passed me on my return stroll.

The Heathcote River Estuary circuit took me 2 hours 15 minutes.

Coda: Ferrymead Bridge was damaged in the 2010-2011 quakes. By 2014 it was still undergoing repairs. During quakes, hillside & coastal suburbs beyond Ferrymead Bridge were cut off. Quake damaged roads were parlous for years. Sewage & water pipes crossing Heathcote Estuary were quake damaged, causing strife in coastal suburbs beyond Ferrymead Bridge.

Content & pics Copyright Mark JS Esslemont.