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Diamond Harbour

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Find out about safe swimming at Christchurch beaches.
 

Access

From Christchurch city centre, it's about a 45 minute drive over the Port Hills via Dyers Pass Road.

From Lyttelton, it's a 30 minute drive around the bays to Diamond Harbour.

If you don't feel like driving, grab the Diamond Harbour ferry(external link) from Lyttelton on a nice sunny day – you might even spot some native Hector's Dolphins playing in the wake.

Dogs

Walking tracks and areas around Diamond Harbour have different rules regarding dogs depending on season or wildlife.

Check the individual walk pages or the dog bylaw map for more information.

Facilities

There are public toilets in Charteris Bay, Diamond Harbour wharf, Stoddart Point, Bay View Road and Purau Bay.

Natural environment

Situated on the southern side of Lyttelton Harbour, Diamond Harbour is made up of several distinctive bays such as Charteris Bay, Hays Bay, Church Bay and Purau Bay.

The immediate foreshore varies from flat land to deep gullies covered in exotic flowering plants and trees, while side spurs formed by lava flows rise up to the peaks of Mt Bradley, Mt Herbert and Mt Evans.

History

Ripapa Island(external link) in the harbour has an interesting history. The site was once occupied by Maori and since the 19th century it has been a quarantine station, prison, and eventually a fort where the old gun emplacements can still be seen.

Diamond Harbour offers many recreational activities such as swimming, fishing, boating, cycling and walking.

Pack a picnic and head out on one of the walking tracks available below:

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Hays Bay to Church Bay
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Coastal Cliffs Walkway