There are three council approved parks and five leased reserves where you can ride your horse.

Council approved parks

Name Location
Bottle Lake Forest Park Waitikiri Drive, Parklands
Seafield Park Heyders Road, Spencerville
Baynons Brake Baynons Road, Clarkville

Leased reserves

In agreement with pony clubs, riding is also permitted on these leased reserves:

Name Location
Mary Duncan Park Corner of Chapmans and Port Hills Road, Heathcote Valley
Halswell Domain Halswell Road, Halswell
Roydvale Pony Club Mcleans Island Road, Mcleans Island
Sumnervale Reserve Sumnervale Road, Sumner
Chaneys Plantation Spencerville Road, Spencerville

No horse riding is permitted on or around the Estuary.


Riding on the beach

The Council places no restrictions on riding on the beach. 

Avoid conflict with other beach users by keeping well away from surf lifesaving patrolled areas and high use beach areas.

Riders should be aware that:

  • The beach is used by vehicles north of Heyders Road to the Waimakariri River
  • Dogs may be off their leash
  • Kite boarding, kite surfing, and land yachting occurs in some areas of the beach

A horse float park is available at Seafield Park, and at the beach end of Heyders Road, and Bottle Lake Forest.