Skip to main content Skip to page navigation

Hagley Park and Gardens

Hagley Park has been at the heart of Christchurch since the 1850s when it was set aside for recreation and enjoyment of Christchurch residents.

Hagley Park

Today Hagley Park [PDF, 1.1 MB] is the most significant central city park and offers a diverse range of entertainment and recreational facilities close to the city centre.

Hagley Park, renowned for its extensive area of 165 hectares (407 acres), its wide-open spaces and mature woodlands, comprises North and South Hagley Park, separated by Riccarton Avenue and bordered by Deans, Hagley, Rolleston and Harper Avenue.

Access

Car parks are available off Riccarton Ave and Armagh Street, with additional parking around the perimeter.

Although the park is open all hours, car parking at both Riccarton Ave and Armagh St is only between:

  • 7.00am and 9.00pm November - February
  • 7.00am and 8.30pm March
  • 7.00am and 6.30pm April - September
  • 7.00am and 8.30pm October.

Metroinfo has up to date bus information.

Dogs and bikes

  • Dogs in Hagley Park must remain under control at all times
  • Dogs are not permitted in the Botanic Gardens by law
  • Bikes in Hagley Park must share pathways with walkers
  • Bike stands are available at all entrances to the Botanic Gardens. Within the Gardens bikers must dismount and continue on foot.

Sports

Hagley Park has facilities for golf,(external link) netball,(external link) petanque,(external link) croquet,(external link) model yachts (external link)and tennis,(external link) with sports grounds for both school, club and casual competition.

All club competition inquiries can be made via Sport New Zealand.(external link)
All fitness organisations inquiries can be made via the Registered Exercise Professionals.(external link)

Other activities

Picnic facilities with free barbeques, drinking water and toilets are located in both North and South Hagley Park.

Ever since the 1906-07 New Zealand International Exhibition, North Hagley Park has been a popular venue for outdoor events(external link).

A visit to Hagley Park gives an appreciation for the very beginnings of Christchurch city as we know it today.

Walking, running and cycling tracks

Tracks and pathways go through and around the park, linking with city cycle networks [PDF, 1.1 MB], the Ōtākaro / Avon River walk and the Botanic Gardens [PDF, 879 KB].

Bordering the kilometres of cycling and walking tracks are 17 exercise stations creating a fitness circuit along the perimeter track of North Hagley Park.

The North Hagley perimeter measures 4.5km and South Hagley, 3.7km.

North Hagley Park Walk

South Hagley Park Walk

North Hagley Park and Gardens Loop

Hagley Park history

Hagley Oval

Taste of the Gardens Walk

Little Hagley Park Walk

Millbrook Reserve Walk

Botanic Gardens River Walk