Tracks and Rides

Estuary - South New Brighton Ride

Start: Bridge Street (just over the bridge if your heading toward the beach)
Distance: A short ride – with lots of places to stop and enjoy the surroundings
Difficulty: Easy
Ride Description: This ride explores the Avon-Heathcote Estuary providing views across the estuary to the Port Hills.  A ‘there and back’ ride along a well formed gravel path, making it an easy enjoyable ride. There are ample opportunities to get off your bike to view the variety of birds and there are information panels dotted along the way. The ride begins at Bridge Street and follows the track to Pleasant Point – on one side there is a children’s playground (with a fantastic flying fox) and playing fields.  On the other side there is a long fishing jetty and picnic tables. From here, the track winds through pine trees to a superb board walk that takes you over a saltmarsh wetland on the edge of the estuary. The end of the boardwalk marks the turnaround point.

Hints and Tips:

• A great morning or afternoon ride - perfect for little legs as there are interesting places to stop and a fun park to play in toward the end of the ride.
• This ride can be done as a circuit (approx 5km) - but does involve some road riding. At the end of the boardwalk continue down Caspian Street toward South New Brighton beach and then ride back a long Marine Parade to Bridge Street that takes you to the start/finish.