Northern Pegasus Bay

Northern Pegasus Bay stretches north of the Waimakariri River encompassing the beach communities of Kairaki, The Pines Beach, Woodend, Waikuku, Leithfield and Amberley Beaches as far as Amberley Rocks. It also encompasses the Ashley Estuary. 

The sandy and pebbly beaches of the bay are a complex and beautiful natural environment with river mouths, estuaries and sand dunes comprising a range of important natural habitats.

Local residents and visitors enjoy the bay for its environment and a wide range of recreational activities, including fishing, swimming, bird watching, and horse-riding. Sea and river birds live along this coastline. Please protect them. 

People walking dogs in the area must keep their dogs under effective control at all times. Dogs are prohibited in the Ashley Rakahuri estuary.

No barbecues are provided but visitors are welcome to bring their own, provided they are gas only and used in areas clear of vegetation. Light no fires. Dial 111 immediately if you see smoke or flames.

Our rangers patrol the beaches but facilities are provided by the Waimakariri and Hurunui District Councils. Visitors must comply with the respective bylaws which are provided on their websites - Waimakariri and Hurunui District Council. 

Camping - Freedom camping is not permitted along the beach or on the foreshore. Campgrounds are at Kairaki, Woodend, Waikuku, Leithfield and Amberley Beaches. 

• Amberley Beach has a short track to the Waipara River mouth. If you cross the river a 4WD track leads to the Amberley Rocks. 
• The Kowai Track runs from the Leithfield Hotel to Leithfield Beach.
• The Tutaepatu Trail links Waikuku Beach to Woodend Beach. You can continue to Kairaki Beach on the Pegasus Trail.
• Further developments will improve links along the Ashley River.

Vehicle access - This is controlled under the bylaws at Waimakariri and Hurunui District Council. For more information, and the rules around vehicles on the beach, visit the Waimakariri District Council's website.

Horse riding - Recreational horse riding is permitted along sections of Northern Pegasus Bay below the high tide line. Horses are prohibited from the following places:

• Ashley Rakahuri Estuary
• Kowai River mouth
• Waipara River mouth.
• Between Waikuku Beach horse-float car-park and the north side of the Ashley Rakahuri estuary. 
• Please avoid riding through flagged areas during surf patrols. For a map, see Waimakariri District Council and the Hurunui District Council bylaw.

Bird watching - The Ashley Rakahuri Estuary is regarded as one of the most important sites for birds on the east coast of the South Island. Colonies of spotted shags and white-fronted terns can frequently be seen.

Other rare native bird species include banded dotterels, pied stilts, the endangered wrybill, black-billed gulls and black-fronted terns. At certain times of the year, you may even spot migrants and international travellers from Siberia including grey-tailed tattlers, whimbrels, eastern curlews, bar-tailed godwits and red knots.

Swimming and surfing - People swim and surf all along the Pegasus Bay beaches. There is a surf club at Waikuku Beach, which is patrolled during summer weekends. From mid-December to mid-January, lifeguards patrol at Waikuku, Pegasus Town and Woodend. It is not safe to swim at Kairaki Beach close to the Waimakariri River mouth. 

Camping - Freedom camping is not permitted along the beach or on the foreshore. Campgrounds are at Kairaki, Woodend, Waikuku, Leithfield and Amberley Beaches.

Land yachts - Welcome alongside the sea and Ashley Rakahuri estuary so long as people abide by Waimakariri District Council rules. Map available.