Places in Heathcote Valley
Birdsey Reserve
Birdsey Reserve is located at 40 Bridle Path Road, opposite the Heathcote Domain. It is named after John Birdsey (1824-1865) who owned Birdsey's Valley Inn which was located on the site in the 1860s.
The reserve covers an area of approximately 3.5 hectares, of which part is home to the Heathcote Valley Food Forest. The are some stands of native bush as well as open grassed areas making it a sheltered spot suitable for informal picnicing, walking and exercising. There is a marked track that heads up into the bush in the higher part of the reserve.
In 2022 the Linwood-Central-Heathcote Community Board approved a 2-stage developement plan for Birdsey Reserve. Stage 1 is to be community-led and includes planting of native trees and shrubs and additional food forest plantng. Stage 2 is subject to future funding from the City Council and will include more planting of natives and the establishment of walking tracks.
Heathcote Valley Food Forest
The Heathcote Valley Food Forest is located at the southern end of Birdsey Reserve. It is a community initiative to establish a forest of plantings that produce a variety of fruits, berries, herbs, etc. A food forest differs from a community garden in that the plantings are permanent and sustainable, meaning that they do not need to be replanted each season. The food forest is spray and fertiliser free.
The food forest is open for anyone to enjoy., however please don't pick food yourself as it risks damaging trees and plants. When food is ready for harvest, the Food Forest team will place it on the share table in the red shed near the entrance. A koha is appreciated to support the ongoing project and further development. Please be respectful take only what you need today, then you will be welcome back tomorrow.
Heathcote Domain
You will find the Heathcote Domain at the southern end of Heathcote Valley where it is bounded by Port Hills Road on one side and Bridle Path Road on the other.
On the Port Hills Road side you will find the children's playground which features climbing equipment, a multi-play structure, flying fox, roundabout, slide, swings and a swing bridge. There is a public toilet next to the playground and you will find one of our community noticeboards at the Port Hills Road entrance. There is also a picnic area shaded by large oak trees planted many years ago. A small stream runs through this part of the domain.
To the south of the playground is the cricket ground, which is the home ground for the Heathcote Cricket Club. You will find the cricket club rooms on the Bridle Path Road side of the ground. Right next door is the Heathcote Valley Community Centre, which is also home to the Heathcote Volunteer Library. There are more public toilets located here.
Further to the north is the Heathcote Community Sports Club, which holds indoor and outdoor bowls and petanque, and even further north are two tennis courts. The railway line borders the east side of the domain, and if you stand on the driveway into the sports club, you may be lucky enough to see a train enter or exit the tunnel.
On a suitable day you might see paragliders flying above the valley. You can get a good view of them from the domain. They take off near the Gondola and soar on the breeze for a while before landing in the domain, or sometimes they land further away in Ferrymead Park instead.
Heathcote War Memorial
The Heathcote War Memorial is located on the corner of Falvell Street and Martindales Road. It was unveilled on 25th April 1925 as a memorial to those who had died in the Great War (WWI. At the time The Press described it as "a simple gray marble column, surmounted on a concrete base...in memory of the 21 men from the Valley, who laid down their lives in the Great War for their King and country."
The memorial is inscribed with "To the memory of those who died in the Great War, 1914-1919" and on the side panels were the names of the men who had fallen. Later a fourth panel was added in memory to those "who fell in World War II. 1939-1945"
An ANZAC ceremony is held at the War Memorial every ANZAC Day.
Ferrymead Park
Ferrymead Park is near the north end of Bridle Path Road. The entrance is off Ferrymead Park Drive, which is also the main route into the Ferrymead Heritage Park (which is a different place, so don't confuse the two).
This 76 hectare park has large open areas suitable for kicking around a ball and walking a dog. Dogs do not need to be on a leash but must respond to the owner’s commands. There is shelter and toilet facilities at the pavilion which is located beside the car park by the sports fields.
Ferrymead Park is the home ground of the Ferrymead Bays Football Club.
Ferrymead Reserve
Ferrymead Reserve is a small green area opposite the intersection of Canon Hill Crescent and Bridle Path Road. It's a good spot to take a break if you are cycling along Bridle Path Rd, and maybe enjoy lunch at one of the picnic tables.
At the north end of the reserve is a stone marking the site of the old Ferrymead wharf and railway station. This was the terminus of the first public rainway in New Zealand.
Please note, the public toilets at the south end of the reserve have been out of service since the eathquakes in 2011.
Ferrymead Heathcote Saltmarsh
The lower part of the Ōpāwaho-Heathcote River is tidal, which means that salt water washes back up the river at high tide. This creates the saltmarshes that are found around the Ferrymead area, where salt-tolerant plants grow, poviding a habitat for nesting birds and other fauna such as native lizards.
Human activity in past years has negatively afftected the quality of the salt marshes, with runoff, pollution and earthworks all taking their toll. In recent times work has been undertaken to resotre the salt marshes and this will continue for several years to come. You will see one of the current revegetation projects near the Tunnel Road bridge over the river, near the horse paddocks. There are regularly opportunties to help with planting and mainternance in the saltmash area.
The Ōpāwaho walking track runs alongside this area from the Tunnel Road to Ferrymead Drive.
Matuku Lakes
Many locals are unaware of the real name of what we usually just call 'the ponds'. The Matuku lakes are artificial lakes designed for flood retention. They are located adjacent to Ferrymead Park. Water from the lakes is dischared to the Heathcote River. Soil excavated to form the lakes was used to cover the old Heathcote rubbish dump, which is now the golf course and part of Ferrymead Park.
The Matuku Lakes have become home to a variety of wildlife including many wetland birds. There are a few good walking tracks in the immediate area including the Matuku Lakes Loop Track.
Duncan Park
Duncan Park consists of 23.4 hectares extending east from the Avoca stream over a
steepish spur and down into Horotane Valley. The north boundary is on Port Hills Road
and the south Boundary adjoins rural/horticultural properties higher up Avoca Valley.
The Duncan Family originally farmed the site. In the 1860s the site was also used as a
shooting range and military camp for various colonial volunteer training events.
Since 1962, the park has been leased by the Ferrymead Pony Club. Extensive work clearing gorse and replanting natives is ongoing.
There is a 2.1 Km trail through the park which is open all year round. Access is via the bridge opposite Bidfoods on Port Hills Road (slightly east of Chapmans Road).
Heathcote-Opawaho Lizard Sanctuary
Along the south bank of the Heathcote river, at a bend on the Opawaho track next to the horse paddocks, you will find some low piles of stones. This spot is part of an area known as Calder Green Reserve (formerly called Devil's Elbow) and is where the Forest and Bird Society have set up a lizard sanctuary. This is what the piles of stones are. The Opawaho track is well travelled but most people passing by will be unaware of the presence of the sanctuary.
The lizards (geckos) found here are native to New Zealand. The Canterbury gecko (Woodworthia brunnea) is a gecko found in the South Island of New Zealand. It is also known by the Māori names Waitaha gecko and Moko-pāpā, and as the brown gecko.
Access to the reserve is along the track starting at the carpark near the entrance to the Ferrymead Golf Club. Calder Green is owned and managed by the Forest and Bird Society for the puposes of maintaining an 'open sanctuary' for the protection and enhancement of the indigenous flora and fauna of the area, and in particular birds and lizards. Please be respectful of this sensitive area if you are visiting or passing through.
Heathcote Expressway (cycleway)
Puari ki Kahukura cycleway connects Heathcote with the Central City via Woolston and Waltham.
From the city, you can ride down Ferry Road past Ara Institute’s Madras St campus, and around to Lancaster Park. Ara Institute’s Woolston campus is next on the route, connecting students from the city or the southeast suburbs to their place of study.
Continuing southeast, you'll cross the Ōpāwaho Heathcote River and follow the awa, reaching a lovely stopover at The Tannery, which offers a boutique shopping experience and cinema.
From there, you'll continue winding your way alongside the Ōpāwaho Heathcote River, then safely cycling alongside arterial roads and railways before reaching Ferrymead Heritage Park. The cycleway ends at Martindales Road in Heathcote Valley. Or if you're starting from the Heathcote end it's the same in reverse. Many Heathcote locals use the expressway to visit The Tannery, or commute into the city. The expressway is not just for cycles either; you'll find just was many people on foot, as well as skateboards and scooters. The name 'expressway' suggests its a quick route to take when time is of essense, but actually it's a very pleasant place to just go for a leisurely walk, perhaps with a four-legged friend. Other than e-bikes, motorised vehicles are not welcome!
From the city, you can ride down Ferry Road past Ara Institute’s Madras St campus, and around to Lancaster Park. Ara Institute’s Woolston campus is next on the route, connecting students from the city or the southeast suburbs to their place of study.
Continuing southeast, you'll cross the Ōpāwaho Heathcote River and follow the awa, reaching a lovely stopover at The Tannery, which offers a boutique shopping experience and cinema.
From there, you'll continue winding your way alongside the Ōpāwaho Heathcote River, then safely cycling alongside arterial roads and railways before reaching Ferrymead Heritage Park. The cycleway ends at Martindales Road in Heathcote Valley. Or if you're starting from the Heathcote end it's the same in reverse. Many Heathcote locals use the expressway to visit The Tannery, or commute into the city. The expressway is not just for cycles either; you'll find just was many people on foot, as well as skateboards and scooters. The name 'expressway' suggests its a quick route to take when time is of essense, but actually it's a very pleasant place to just go for a leisurely walk, perhaps with a four-legged friend. Other than e-bikes, motorised vehicles are not welcome!
Ellis Track (The Stairs)
There is a right-of-way that runs between Port Hills Road and Flinders Road. The locals either call it Ellis Track or 'the stairs', depending on who you talk to. It even has its own address: 47 Port Hills Road. Aside from being a right of way, it also provides a route for a water main and storm water drain. The little shed at the Port Hills Road end houses water supply equipment.
Ellis Track is quite steep, which makes it popular with people wanting a quick burst for their fitness regime. Are you game to try it?
Warner Reserve
You'll find Warner Reserve between Mauger Drive and Warner Place on the west side of the valley. There is a good playground as well as plenty of space for ball games. It's a great haunt for for the local kids to meet up.
Avoca Valley
Avoca Valley lies to the west of Horotane Valley and is accessed from Port Hills Road. While geographically somewhat similar to Horotane, these days Avoca Valley tends to have more private houses rather than market gardens and orchards. The lower part of the valley is home to the Zelandia Horticulture glasshouses.
Avoca Valley Road provides a good uphill walk with views over Hillsborough and the city. The farm at the end of the road is private property.
Horotane Valley
Horotane Valley has long been known for its market gardens and fruit orchards. The sunny, sheltered climate affords an early growing season and many of the growers have farmgate produce stalls in the productive season. Horotane Valley was one of the earliest places to be farmed in the Chrichurch area.
Horotane Valley Road will provide some good exercise on foot or cycle. It takes about a 15 minute brisk walk from Port Hills road to reach the top. At the top of the road there is an accessway to the Linda Woods Reserve (foot track only).
Butts Valley
Butts Valley is a side valley to Horotane Valley. It takes its name from the rifle butts that were located there years ago. The avenue of trees along each side of the road were planted by one of the first European settlers, John Flinders Scott,
Morgans Valley
Morgan's Valley is situated on the east flank of Heathcote Valley. It was one of the first parts of the valley to be sellted in the 1850s. In recent years the land has been subdivided for housing, with larger size sections.
Morgan's Valley is named after Captain William Morgan who was the first European settler to owned the land. Captain Morgan was the master of the Balgalore, which brought English setters to Lyttelton in 1851.
He built a house in Morgan's Valley and lived there for several years before moving to Kaiapoi.
There are several good hill walking tracks that originate from Morgan's Valley, or you may be happy to stick to the road and admire the houses and the view.
