#sumner beach

I was only in Christchurch for a short time, but I was quite keen to try see as much as I could, so I planned a big day of walking to try hit Sumner Beach, the Port Hills and Lyttelton off in one go. 

I started by taking the bus down to Sumner Beach, a sleepy little beachside suburb which, like much of suburban Christchurch, stands in contrast to the shiny modern city centre, as looking a bit aged. 

While the esplanade path was very quiet, the waves were filled with people. I can only imagine quite how cold it must've been out there. I was certainly regretting not having my gloves for my walk at this point!

Starting at the far end of Sumner, I walked back in the direction of the city along the beach, until I got past the Yacht Club and to Barnett Park, at which point I began my trek inland. 

The earthquakes destroyed some of the paths over the Port Hills, but new ones have since been crafted. I took the Eastenders Track, which led me to Summit Road, running along the city-facing edge of the Hills. The walk was quite steep but not overly onerous, the worst part was the wind. I was glad that the next part of the walk ran along the road so I didn't feel quite so exposed.

I followed the road until I reached an access point for the Crater Rim walk, which runs on the Lyttelton-facing side of the Hills. This track took me up to the Gondola Upper Station, which gave me a brief reprieve from the wind, and also the chance to get some photos looking down on Lyttelton.

Lyttelton is Christchurch's port, and where the early British colonisers landed. From their landing point they had to cart themselves and their supplies up over the hills, and back then I doubt there would've been such clear paths. 

To get down into Lyttelton I took the Bridle Path, shaped by the coloniser's route, this steep descent quickly landed me into the cute township.

As a port town I hadn't been expecting much but was pleasantly surprised to see the slightly alternative atmosphere to the town, with a Co-Op and a handful of independent and artsy little shops and cafes.

Single Fin Mingle 2019.

Josh Woollett.

The Single Fin Mingle 2019.