Summer 2024/2025
During the summer months, Roto Kohatu gets extremely crowded. The main car park, accessed off Outlook Place, caters for approximately 100 vehicles with an overflow car park providing an extra 50 spaces. We encourage carpooling where possible to minimise traffic congestion.
If you're not a big fan of crowds, avoid weekend days and try visiting in the evening or during the week if you can.
Please be considerate of others when visiting Roto Kohatu.
The reserve is a popular place for a range of outdoor activities including walking, swimming and kayaking.
Visit
There are two lakes at Roto Kohatu - Lake Tahi, a privately leased lake for club members only, and Lake Rua, a public lake lake popular for swimming, dragon boating and sailing.
Lake Rua is managed by Christchurch City Council Park Rangers.
Access
Vehicle access to Roto Kohatu is now off Outlook Place.
The old entrance off Sawyers Arms Road is now only open to pedestrians.
Gate times
- During daylight savings, 7am to 9pm
- Rest of the year 7am to 7pm
- Ring Christchurch City Council on 0800 800 169 or 941 8999 to release locked in vehicles, at owner's expense.
Swimming
Swimming is permitted in marked areas only.
Do not dive, or use powered watercraft. There are many underwater hazards from when the site was a landfill such as tree stumps, cars and concrete.
Water quality is monitored over summer months. Find out more from Land Air Water Aotearoa(external link).
Lake Tahi
The first lake is leased by Canterbury Jet Sports Club(external link) and is reserved for club members only. All watercraft using this lake must be registered with the club.
The Canterbury Jet Sports Club(external link) website has membership options as well as a comprehensive list of rules, regulations and prohibitions regarding use of watercraft in the reserve.
Access
Vehicles with watercraft must use the access gate at the northern end of Sawyers Arms Road. This access will still be open to club members once the new entrance on Outlook Place opens.
Dogs
Dogs are prohibited from swimming in the lakes.
Dogs must be leashed on all footpaths and roads, and also around the the lakes. Dogs may be kept under effective control on the grassed banks before the lakes.
Walking
Take an easy stroll around the Lake Circuit Walk, a 2km walk past Lake Tahi and around Lake Rua.
For something more challenging, walk the Otukaikino Track, a 9km walk from Roto Kohatu, through Clearwater Resort and the The Groynes and out to Darroch Street Reserve in Belfast.
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