Just 10 kilometres from the city, the 3150 ha McLeans Forest section of the Waimakariri River Regional Park is a valuable and unique natural recreational area where you can relax and enjoy a range of activities including picnicking, mountain biking, walking and running. It is also a recreation and leisure destination which includes golf, shooting, horse riding, vintage car steam & machinery clubs through to paintball and tank rides and Orana Wildlife Park. Nowhere else in NZ can you find a 'play' area like this.
Park Notices
Events, plus information about any closures or partial closures of park facilities are notified on the Parks Notice and Events pages.
Access
The main entrance to McLeans Forest is on McLeans Island Road, just before Orana Park if you are coming from Christchurch. There is also access along the stopbanks by foot or cycle from the intersection of Haul Road and McLeans Island Road.
View larger map (377 kB)
Bike Detour Map
Updated 14 August 2012
View Bike detour map (215 kB)
Gate opening hours
New Gate closing hours: Gates are now open at 7am and closed at 10pm - all year round.
Remember
The Forest:
Walking and mountain biking tracks may be closed from time to time due to forestry operations. Watch out for vehicles and deep water holes which are used for fire-fighting, and stay out of the forest during strong winds as trees or large branches may fall.
Fire danger:
Fire is a constant threat to this forest. The lighting of fires and smoking is strictly prohibited. If you see smoke or fire, call 111 immediately and leave the forest. Golf courses and other large open areas which have short green grass are safe places in a fire emergency.
Waimakariri River:
When you cross the stopbank, you enter the river. River levels sometimes rise rapidly following north-westerly weather and the tracks will occasionally flood. Dirty water on tracks should never be entered, as flooding may have altered the track making it unsafe, or water may be deeper than it looks.
Don't forget...
- Mountain bike tracks are one-way only – watch for direction markers.
- All paddocks and club areas are private and not available for public access except in emergencies.
- Check the whiteboard at the start of the tracks for up-to-date safety information.
- You can contact the rangers on 03 353 9725 at weekends or for Environment Canterbury Customer Services call 0800 EC INFO.
History
As recently as the 1920s, a branch of the Waimakariri River flowed to the south of McLeans Island along what is now McLeans Island Road. Since the 1930s, various river control measures have pushed the river to the north of the island, allowing recreation development to occur. Since the late 1960s, a wide range of recreation developments have taken place and these are now contained within the Waimakariri River Regional Park boundaries.