Up to date track information and guidelines on how you can stay safe while enjoying your outdoor experience.

Updated 22 May 2023.

Track Warning Dates
Isaac Farm Track(external link)

Closed due to surface flooding.

 Ongoing
Head to Head: Sandy Beach Road to Jetty Road

The foreshore walking track between Sandy Beach Road to Jetty Road in Governors Bay is temporarily closed for maintenance.

An alternate roadside walking route is available via Governors Bay Road and Jetty Road to bypass the closure.

  Ongoing
Barnett Park Walkway to cave

Closed due to slips, rockfall hazards and damaged structures.

 Ongoing
Pony Point Track

Closed due to multiple slips from Cass Bay to Pony Point, along the Head to Head Track.

 Ongoing
Coastal Cliffs Walkway

Muddy sections persist from Stoddart Point and Purau Jetty due to multiple slips waiting to be cleared.

Please take care of the exposed steep cliff edges. Tracks can be slippery, especially when wet. Please ensure children are well supervised.

 Ongoing
Ngaio Point Track

Open with new bypass route below large slip. Muddy conditions. Care is required. 

 Ongoing
Godley Head Track

Partially closed including historic gun emplacements, toilets and car park. A marked pole route after Boulder Bay links to the car park road where it will rejoin the track.

Please check for changes on the DOC website(external link) or call the DOC Visitor Centre at 03 379 4082.

 Ongoing

Closed tracks

Some tracks and reserves remain closed due to significant rockfall risk identified after the Canterbury earthquakes in 2011. Specialist contractors may be rolling and deconstructing rocks in these areas.

Obey any closure or warning signs. 

If you are mountain biking, please check the MTB track status page.

Open tracks

Just as much care should be taken with open tracks as hazards are not always immediately obvious.

Hazard indicators include signs of rocks having moved, cracks and slumping of the ground or rock debris at the base of cliffs. 

Walkers are advised to remain well clear of the tops and bottoms of coastal cliffs, bluffs and rocky outcrops.

In or immediately after high winds, avoid walking in dense tree covered areas and be aware of the danger of falling branches.

If you are walking or cycling in the Port Hills, consider where you would go if there was an earthquake.

In general, ridges are safer than gullies, and rocky bluffs and cliff edges should be avoided.

Dogs

There are different rules in different parts of the hills depending on season and impact on wildlife. 

Your dog must be under effective control (when you call, it comes immediately) at all times. If you are unable to do this then you must leash your dog at all times.

Information about dogs is shown on each individual walking track page.

Farm animals

You may come across sheep and cattle on some tracks.

Do not approach, chase or touch animals you see and give them a chance to get out of your way.

Use gates provided and leave gates as you find them.

If you see livestock, leash your dog immediately.

Hunting is not allowed in the Port Hills.

Firearms are strictly prohibited.

Fires are not permitted anywhere on the hills.

There is a significant fire risk during summer and even discarded cigarettes can start a fire.

If you see a fire, call 111 immediately.

Even though our parks are close to the city, please remember to observe all the safety guidelines around walking and biking in more remote areas(external link).