Awaroa/Godley Head Loop Track
WalkCanterbury
- Grade
- Easy
- Walking time
- 3 hr
- Distance
- 9.3 km
- Dogs
- On a lead
Access: read before you go
Flying a drone without a permit is strictly prohibited. Drone use on conservation land
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Getting there
We have not checked a road end or car park for this place yet, so we do not give driving directions to it. Check how to get there before you go. Some routes cross private land and need the landowner's permission.
How to get there, on doc.govt.nzAwaroa/Godley Head Loop Track is 40 to 50 min by car from central Christchurch. You can start the walk at three different car parks.
Taylors Mistake car park is 40 min by car from central Christchurch. Most visitors begin and end the walk here.
From Sumner, drive over the hill to Taylors Mistake. The car park is at the end of Taylors Mistake Road.
Taylors Mistake car park is managed by Christchurch City Council. It has:
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Godley Head car park is 50 min by car from central Christchurch, at the end of Summit Road.
Godley Head car park is the main access point for the Awaroa/Godley Head heritage site. You can also begin and end the track here.
The car park has:
Open in Google Maps
Godley Head car park is open from 8 am to 8 pm.
The gate is locked outside these hours. After-hours parking is available on the roadside.
Summit Road to Godley Head is narrow with sharp corners and steep drops. Keep left, reduce speed and look out for cyclists.
A small car park at Breeze Col also provides access to Awaroa/Godley Head Loop Track. It is labelled ‘Godley Head Loop Track Car Park’ on Google Maps.
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Taylors Mistake car park
Taylors Mistake car park is 40 min by car from central Christchurch. Most visitors begin and end the walk here. From Sumner, drive over the hill to Taylors Mistake. The car park is at the end of Taylors Mistake Road. Taylors Mistake car park is managed by Christchurch City Council. It has: free parking for cars and campervans no marked mobility spaces. Open in Google Maps
Godley Head car park
Godley Head car park is 50 min by car from central Christchurch, at the end of Summit Road. Godley Head car park is the main access point for the Awaroa/Godley Head heritage site. You can also begin and end the track here. The car park has: free parking for cars and campervans no marked mobility spaces. Open in Google Maps Opening hours Godley Head car park is open from 8 am to 8 pm. The gate is locked outside these hours. After-hours parking is available on the roadside. Driving on Summit Road Summit Road to Godley Head is narrow with sharp corners and steep drops. Keep left, reduce speed and look out for cyclists.
Breeze Col car park
A small car park at Breeze Col also provides access to Awaroa/Godley Head Loop Track. It is labelled ‘Godley Head Loop Track Car Park’ on Google Maps. Open in Google Maps
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Map
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Topo map: LINZ, CC BY 4.0. 43.59069° S, 172.79442° E
About this place
Enjoy sweeping coastal views and World War 2 heritage on this popular walk around the dramatic cliffs of Awaroa/Godley Head.
The route
About the walk
Most people walking Awaroa/Godley Head Loop Track: You can also access the Godley Head gun emplacements directly from Godley Head car park.
Taylors Mistake to Godley Head via Pilgrims Way
1 hr 45 min / 4.1 km Easy to intermediate walking track Access to the loop track is signposted from Taylors Mistake car park, by the toilet block. There are some steep, rocky sections as you climb above the beach past the baches at Rotten Row. Climb past Boulder Bay to two gun platforms at Taylor Battery. From here, you can take a side trip (10 min return) to historic Scott’s Cabin . The track then climbs up to the headland with towering 120-metre high cliffs and the Awaroa/Godley Head coastal defence battery . You can explore: On a fine day, enjoy panoramic views over the city towards New Brighton Beach and beyond to Pegasus Bay and the Kaikōura Ranges.
Godley Head to Taylors Mistake via Breeze Bay and Black Rock
1 hr 45 min / 5.6 km Easy to intermediate walking track The loop track carries on around the headland from Godley Head. You’ll pass the old engine room, miniature range and battery plotting room. From Godley Head car park, the track climbs high above Breeze Bay, past two WWII observation posts. Get sweeping views of: The track then drops back down to the small car park at Breeze Col on Summit Road. Cross Summit Road at Breeze Col with care. Follow the signposted track to Taylors Mistake via Black Rock downhill to the junction with Pilgrims Way coastal track. Turn left to return to Taylors Mistake car park (15 min).
No mountain biking
Mountain bikes are not permitted on Awaroa/Godley Head Loop Track. For nearby mountain biking tracks, see Christchurch City Council’s Awaroa/Godley Head web page .
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Know before you go
Mana whenua
Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke hold mana whenua or customary authority over this special place.
Safety and hazards
Cliff edges: Godley Head has high, unfenced cliffs and steep drops. Stay away from the edge of the track and keep children close. Falling rock: There are rockfall hazards along the track. No stopping where indicated. Historic structures: Some historic structures at Godley Head are unfenced, with uneven surfaces and hidden drops. Take care when exploring. Unmaintained tracks: The track between the gun emplacements and the Godley Head car park has been rerouted for safety reasons. Respect all track closure signs. Contaminated soil: Soil containing asbestos is buried at Godley Head. Follow all safety signs and keep dogs on a lead.
When to go
Awaroa/Godley Head Loop Track is very exposed, with no shade. It can be very hot, or cold, wet and windy, in all seasons. New Zealand weather changes quickly. Check the weather forecast before you go, and be prepared. Be prepared
Plan your visit
Bookings are not required for Awaroa/Godley Head Loop Track. Toilets and accessible toilets are located at Taylors Mistake car park, Godley Head car park and Awaroa/Godley Head Campsite. Tap water is available at Taylors Mistake car park, Godley Head car park and Awaroa/Godley Head campsite. It’s best to treat before drinking. Picnic tables are provided near Godley Head car park and at Awaroa/Godley Head Campsite. Camping is available at Awaroa/Godley Head Campsite . You can also book Lighthouse Cottage . Food and petrol can be found in Sumner (10 min by car). Mobile phone coverage can be unreliable.
What to take
Short Walks gear list
Care for nature
Rubbish bins are not provided. Take your rubbish with you. Dogs are major threats to little penguins/kororā and New Zealand fur seals/kekeno. Keep dogs on a lead. Farm animals graze here. Give them space and shut gates behind you. Protecting nature in Aotearoa
No drones
Flying a drone without a permit is strictly prohibited. Drone use on conservation land
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Nearby stops
Godley Head Campsite
Standard • Canterbury • 0.7 km
Godley Head Campsite is located in Canterbury on the site of a World War II defence battery. The campsite offers ocean views and access to a range of scenic…
Non-powered/tent sites • Toilets - flush • Water from tap - not treated, boil before use
Lighthouse Cottage
Canterbury • 0.9 km
Lighthouse Cottage is a well-equipped lodge located within the Godley Head Campsite in Canterbury. It offers views along the coastline and is situated in an…
Purau Restricted Area
Canterbury • 6.5 km
Naval Point Freedom Camping Area
Canterbury • 7.4 km
South New Brighton Holiday Park
Canterbury • 7.9 km
South New Brighton Holiday Park is a campsite located in the Canterbury region. It offers accommodation for visitors in the South New Brighton area.
Walks nearby
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Mount Herbert Walkway/Te Ahu Pātiki
Advanced • 6 – 8 hr return • 14 km • 9.27 km away
Te Ara Pātaka/Summit Walkway
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Notes from people who have been
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Sources
- OpenStreetMap Trails · ODbL (Open Database License)Contains information from OpenStreetMap, made available under the ODbL.
- DOC Tracks (API) · CC BY 4.0Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai. Data sourced from the DOC Developer Portal (api.doc.govt.nz).