Baynons Brake

Mostly a horse riding destination, Baynons Brake is also popular for mountain biking, fishing and walking, all just a short drive north of Christchurch.

A section of Baynons Brake, known as Baynons Bush is being gradually enhanced with native plantings and is already attracting more native birdlife. 

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Horse riders in Baynons Brake

About
Just a short drive from Christchurch, the Baynons Brake section of the Waimakariri River Regional Park near Clarkville extends along about 5kms of river's edge land.
It is a valuable natural and recreation area where you can relax and enjoy a range of activities like horse riding, walking, picnicking and fishing. There is also a mountain bike link from the end of Baynons Road to the mountain bike track at Kaiapoi Island.
Park entrance is off Baynons Road in Clarkville. If you are heading north on the motorway, take the first off-ramp onto Tram Road, then turn left onto Heywards Road. Baynons Road is approximately 4km around Heywards Road.
Gates are open 7am to 7pm in winter, and 7am to 10pm during daylight saving.
Dogs must be kept under effective control and close to you at all times. 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.
Facilities

Float park area - with a central grassed oval for horse activities. 

Sandpit - for horses.

Car park - separate from the float park.

Picnic area - tables and hitching posts for horses. 

Activities
Horse riding - A 10km trail with access to the Waimakariri River. This one-directional trail meanders through mixed forest and caters to most riding abilities. Several horse styles along the track allow horse and rider to access the river.

Mountain biking - A shared-use trail links from the end of Baynons Road downstream to Kaiapoi Island. Mountain bikes can be ridden in Baynons Brake but please keep off the horse trails.

Fishing - Salmon and trout can be found here but you must have a current fishing licence from Fish & Game New Zealand. A short trail from the public car park leads directly to the river.

Walking - There are no set walking or running trails but these activities are always welcome. Horses have right of way.

Picnic area - bring your own picnic and relax while hitching posts are provided for the horses

History
The main purpose of Baynons Brake is to provide recreational horse riding opportunities but the wider habitat is gradually being enhanced with native plantings.
A section of the horse trail known as Baynons Bush is already home to native birds including fantail/pīwakawaka, bellbird/korimako, grey warbler/riroriro, kingfisher/kōtare.
Unique riverbed birds such as the wrybill/ngutuparore, black billed gull, black and white fronted tern/tarapirohe and the banded dotterel can also be found here.

Please note this management plan is under review and may not reflect current guidelines and regulations. If you have questions, please contact the Duty Ranger on 03 353 9007 or by email duty.ranger@ecan.govt.nz.