Travis Wetland Circuit, Christchurch NZ

A very pleasant short walk in the north-east of Christchurch around the reconstructed Travis Wetland, with native plants & lots of birdlife.

Travis Wetland Circuit, Christchurch

My wife Sophia has worked opposite Travis Wetland in the Christchurch suburb of Burwood for a few months, but this was our first time to visit it. I didn’t expect all that much, but it is in fact a very pleasant stroll. The majority of the area is grassy wetland, but various iconic native plants are planted along the track, many of them labelled. And there are pleasant lakes, lots of birdlife, and a viewing tower so you can get a proper look at the area.

This land was previously drained for use as grazing paddocks, but was re-purchased and is now something like Christchurch used to be prior to European settlement. The track is fine for street shoes and pushing a pram.  Track notes at the end.

Travis Wetland: The Scenery

Travis Wetland Circuit, Christchurch
Setting off from the car park. Much of the wetland was this grass but there were various iconic natives planted (I assume) around the outside along the path. Like this harakeke (flax).
Travis Wetland Circuit, Christchurch
This section looked like a tunnel.

Travis Wetland Circuit, Christchurch Travis Wetland Circuit, Christchurch

Travis Wetland Circuit, Christchurch
A shot of the wetland from a viewing tower.
Travis Wetland Circuit, Christchurch
Leaving the viewing tower.

Travis Wetland Circuit, Christchurch

Travis Wetland Circuit, Christchurch
There were some impressively sized harakeke and cabbage trees.

Travis Wetland Circuit, Christchurch Travis Wetland Circuit, Christchurch Travis Wetland Circuit, Christchurch

Travis Wetland Circuit, Christchurch
On the south-eastern side there were some unlikely paddocks with sheep but also Canada geese grazing there.
Travis Wetland Circuit, Christchurch
There were some small lakes. This shot was taken from a bird hide.

Travis Wetland Circuit, Christchurch

Travis Wetland Circuit, Christchurch
Sun going down and rain on it’s way.

Track Notes

This is on a flat and constructed track (gravel and boardwalks) the whole way, and will take an hour if you are dawdling. On a sunny day it would be pretty exposed to the sun. There’s more information on the Christchurch City Council website. You can start at a few places – we parked at a car park at the northern end and walked anti-clockwise.

 

Author: Edward Hathway

I'm a clinical psychologist and keen hiker.

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