Christchurch 360 Trail: Travis Wetland Nature Heritage Park, 2 January 2020

Another visit to the Travis Wetland Nature Heritage Park....

Back in early January I went for another visit to the Travis Wetlands on the north eastern edge of Christchurch. The Travis Wetlands were once a thriving coastal forest of Totora, Rimu & Kahikatea trees, thick bush and swampy waterways...it was gradually drained over the years and became either farmland or residential housing. 

There is now a concerted effort to return a small portion of the land to its original state. 

Looking over the Travis Wetlands from near Burwood Hospital

I'm just getting around to working on this blog post in March 2020 as I have been so busy with tramping trips over the past six months. This was actually one of my training days for walking the Rakuira Track which Karen and I completed in January 2020

That is not cloud between the wetlands and the Port Hills it is actually smoke from over 2500 km's away.......it was stinking hot at 31 degrees and the sky is that weird color from the ash sent up by the Australian Bushfires.

Map: Travis Wetlands, Burwood, Christchurch

Travis Wetlands was once a large coastal farm from the late 1860's right up to the 1970's...over time various sections were sold off for new housing developments, roads and the building of Queen Elizabeth II stadium (for the 1974 Commonwealth Games). By the late 1980's the only lot of land left was the existent Travis Wetlands which a local developer wanted to infill and build an new housing estate on.  

A trust was set up (with assistance from the Christchurch City Council) to buy the land from the developer and return it to its original state. This was successful and volunteers have been tirelessly working for nearly 30 years to develop tracks and restore the wetland to its current state. There is still much left to do but gradually a fully functioning coastal wetland and forest has come into being. 

The Travis Wetlands looking to the east.....or beach side!!!

I had only meant to go for a short walk but I just couldn't help myself and ended up walking all the way around the wetlands. 

Walking a circuit around Travis Wetland...

I parked my car by Burwood Hospital at one of the car-parking areas along Mairehau Road. There are other access points...the main car park off Beach Road in Parklands and the Wetlands Walkway entrance off Travis Road. There are other urban access points from Frosts Road and Travis Country Drive.

Silver Surfer parked at the Burwood Hospital entrance, Travis Wetlands

Start of the Travis Wetlands track near Burwood Hospital

Map of Travis Wetlands near Burwood Hospital

There are a number of tracks in the Wetlands...the main track around the perimeter of the park is called the Wetlands Walkway...there is also the Anne Flanagan Walkway next to Mairehau Road and the Clarevale Loop Walkway. There is a track across the center of the Wetlands from the Clarevale Loop to Frosts Road so you can do a figure 8 trip around the park.

Looking out over Travis Wetlands with Port Hills in distance

Boardwalk on the Wetlands Walkway, Travis Wetlands, Burwood

Most of the tracks are raised gravel but there are also some sections of board-walk and all of the small streams are bridged. I have been here in dry and wet conditions and the track is perfectly fine in both.

Native bush along the western edge of Travis Wetlands

Nice track conditions on the Wetlands Walkway Travis Wetlands

There are a series of blue posts at various spots around the park...I assume these are for some form of audio-visual guide to the Wetlands although I did not see any information posted. Generally they are at viewing locations or next to some point of interest.

One of the audio-visual interpretive posts...Travis Wetlands

View east towards some shallow swampy ponds, Travis Wetlands

Boardwalk on western edge of Travis Wetlands

Travis Wetlands: Burwood Hospital is next to large trees...

At various locations there are seats or benches so that you can stop and enjoy the scenery....there are only toilets at Clarevale Reserve Park and at the Beach Road entrance. There are no potable water sources here...so take plenty of water and if it is cold or hot and sunny cover up as it is quite exposed.

Seating on the Wetland Walkway, Travis Wetlands Track

Close to Clarevale Reserve is a ten meter high viewing platform...it is worth going up for a look as it gives you a better perspective of how large the Wetlands actually are. From the top you can see all four sides of the reserve as well as a decent view of the distant Port Hills about 10 km's away.

The ten meter viewing platform in Travis Wetlands

View east from the viewing platform, Travis Wetlands

Looking along the western edge of Travis Wetlands

I started off walking anti clockwise around the park...along the Anne Flanagan Walkway and then onto the Wetlands Walkway along the western edge of the Wetlands. Then it was across the middle of the park to the Beach Road entrance.

Grove of Cabbage Trees, Travis Wetlands

Clarevale Reserve along the western edge of Travis Wetlands

Christchurch 360 marker in Travis Wetlands

Bush corridor on the Clarevale Loop Walkway Travis Wetlands

Flax, Toi -toi and rushes in Travis Wetlands

Kahikatea swamp in Travis Wetlands

Junction of Clavevale Loop Walkway & Wetland Walkway...western edge of Travis Wetlands

There is a gate across the Wetlands Walkway as it crosses the center of the park..this is to stop dogs getting into the main bird habitat and also to keep any errant cattle off the public tracks...

Predator gate (for dogs mostly) into the center of Travis Wetlands

I went through the gate and started the walk over to the eastern side of the Wetlands...

Crossing over to the eastern side of the wetland....

The next leg of the walkway is the track which crosses the center of the Wetlands to arrive at the Beach Road entrance. This entrance is the main entry point for the wetlands and has a car-park, toilets and an information pavilion for visitors.

Heading east through the predator gate, Travis Wetlands

Bridge over Clarevale Stream in Travis Wetlands

Travis Wetlands local waterways are a haven for native fish species...

Parts of the Wetlands still have stock on them...it is actually beneficial as the cattle and sheep keep weeds to a minimum and fertilize the land. Both urban/regional park boards and DOC often run stock on their old farming land as it is the easiest way to accomplish both of these tasks.

Old pasture in the middle of Travis Wetlands

On Wetland Walkway, center of Travis Wetlands

Sodden farm tracks and swampland in the center of Travis Wetlands

Travis Wetlands are primarily a bird sanctuary and you often see many of the common marsh and lowland forest birds of New Zealand. Birds I saw on the day include Pukeko, Canada Geese, Swans, Mallard, Shelduck, Tui, Fantails and Swallows.

Local bird species....Pukeko, Canada Goose, Swans and Mallards..Travis Wetlands

Travis Wetlands...cattle being used to keep the grasslands in good condition...

Another of the shallow lakes in Travis Wetlands

Grassland habitat is ideal for Geese/Pukeko in the Travis Wetlands

Half way across the wetlands is a large shallow lake much favored by the ducks, swans and geese. I happened apoun this seat tucked into a beautiful sunny location in a patch of native bush...this seat is dedicated to Charlie Catt. 

Charlie Catt was a well known tramper, mountaineer and stalwart supporter of various outdoor groups including the trust who manage Travis Wetlands. He was also a Library colleague of mine for over a decade here at CPIT/Ara. We often used to talk about tramping and climbing....Charlie was a fan of Nelson Lakes National Park just like I am. 

Charlie tragically fell and died while climbing Mt Harper in Arthur's Pass National Park back in 2016. The seat is a fitting tribute to him as I know he was quite passionate about the Travis Wetland project. I am sure he would have approved. 

Travis Wetlands: Charlie Catt's Memorial seat....

View from Charlie Catt's memorial seat in Travis Wetlands

Pukeko preening itself in Travis Wetlands

Mallard Duck feeding in Travis Wetlands

Travis Wetlands: the bird watching hide on the eastern edge of Travis Wetlands

Jon looking hot in Travis Wetlands

There is still some of the farm infrastructure from the days when this was a working farm...stock pens, a couple of enclosed paddocks and some old ramps for loading stock. The Travis Wetlands Trust only have a small number of cattle on the land now and they are there to control the weeds.

Old stockyards and pens at Travis Wetlands

Travis Wetlands: the Wetland Walkway along the eastern edge of the wetlands

Mixed Kahikatea and Cabbage Tree grove in Travis Wetlands

Ten year old Kahikatea trees in Travis Wetlands

More Kahikitea Trees in Travis Wetlands

There is a bird hide near the Beach Road entrance to the Wetlands....it is enclosed and covered so you could sit here for a long time watching the bird life without disturbing them and out of the elements. There are some useful panels in the hide with profiles and some information about the various birds who live here...well worth a visit if you are coming for a walk.

Side track to Travis Wetlands Information Center

The Travis Wetlands bird hide, Travis Wetlands

Bird types commonly seen in Travis Wetlands

View from within the Travis Wetlands bird hide

A variety of ducks and geese in one of the Travis Wetlands ponds

On the Travis Wetlands Track to Beach Road entrance

Beach Road entrance to Travis Wetlands is over the gate....

The Beach Road entrance has a set of toilets, maps and information panels about the wetland and its residents. This is the main entry point to the Wetlands and a safe place to park your car for the duration of your walk. 

Toilet block close to the Beach Road entrance, Travis Wetlands

The track junction at the Beach Road entrance, Travis Wetlands

There is a small information pavilion at the Beach Road entrance...it has some information panels and pamphlets about the Travis Wetland project and some historic photos of the area before it became a nature heritage park.

Travis Wetlands: information Center sign...

The Travis Wetlands Information Center....

There are a trio of panels showing how the area has progressed from 1800 and what it will look like in 2200 when the Kahikatea trees planted in the swamp reach maturity. The wetland forest under Christchurch once stretched from the beach all the way out to Tai Tapu and along the Waimakiriri out to nearly West Melton. 

Given the inevitability of climate change and rising seas this area will probably be under water in 2200. The genius is Kahikatea actually like wet, salty conditions so regardless of us human parasites and our damaging ways it will still grow to be a fully mature forest. 

Travis Wetlands Information Center...the wetlands in 1800

Travis Wetlands Information Center...present day

The future vision of Travis Wetlands in 2200...

Once I had a good look at the information center I headed back to Beach Road entrance so that I could continue my journey around the wetlands. 

Heading along Frosts Road and QEII Drive....

Beach Road leads out to Frosts Road which is the eastern perimeter of the Travis Wetlands. You head right and walk down the road for about 400 meters before turning onto Travis Road and the southern edge of the Wetlands. Take care on the roads around here as all of them are 70 kph zones and very busy.....

Travis Wetlands: Beach Road toilet block

Travis Wetlands: Beach Road car park

Waking along Beach Road to Frosts Road, Travis Wetlands

Once you get on Frosts Road you cross over and walk along the foot path for about 400 meters down the road to the intersection with Travis Road. Since the Christchurch Earthquakes this road regularly floods so sometimes this is not as easy as it sounds....

Frosts Road heading down to Travis Road....Travis Wetlands

Travis Wetlands from the footpath on Frost's Road, Burwood

Crossing Frosts Road to walk up Travis Road alongside Travis Wetlands

Travis Road is the southern side of the Wetlands and features a series of larger ponds and a large swampy area of Kahikatea, flax and rushes. The Travis Wetlands comes right up to the side of the footpath and after very heavy rain this area is often under a couple of meters of water. 

Travis Road with the Travis Wetlands on the right...

Lake at the southern edge of Travis Wetlands along Travis Road...

Those are 20 year old Kahikatea Trees inside Travis Wetlands

The Christchurch 360 Trail runs along and through Travis Wetlands

You are now back at the western edge of the Travis Wetlands and the Clarevale Loop Track which runs right along the fence-line of the adjacent properties of the Travis County suburb. The foliage along the fence-line is so dense after 20 years that it is almost impossible to see the houses.....

Travis Road entrance in Travis Wetlands

The trees along this section of the Clarevale Loop Walkway form a tunnel through which you walk...excellent on a hot sunny day. The native plants and trees are species you would once have found in the massive swamp that now lies under the city of Christchurch. 

Clarevale Loop Walkway on the eastern edge of Travis Wetlands

Jon walking in Travis Wetlands

Typical three tier forest you find in Travis Wetlands

You walk for about 500-600 meters and then find yourself back at the track across the center of the Wetlands...once more you head over to the eastern side of the park. 

Travis Wetlands: the Clarevale Loop-Wetlands Walkway junction once again....

Jon on his second traverse of the center of Travis Wetlands

Another of the lakes in Travis Wetlands on the northern end of the park

You walk all the way back to the Beach Road entrance before starting the final section of the track out to Mairehau Road and the car park near the Burwood Hospital. 

The home stretch back to Mairehau Road....

The last section of the track is from the main entrance off Beach Road back around to the hospital. Again the track ran right next to the fence-line for most of the way with only a short section running next to Mairehau Road right at the end.

Travis Wetlands: walking along the Wetlands Walkway to the old homestead

On the Wetlands Walkway....The old farm homestead in Travis Wetlands

On the way you pass more of the old buildings which once belonged to the farm...the homestead house was turned into a visitor center and functions room. You also pass the old out buildings, a large barn and some sheds once used to house the farming equipment.

Barn and outbuildings at the old farm, Travis Wetlands

Travis Wetlands: track exit out onto Mareihau Road, Parklands

If I lived over here I would go for a walk around the wetlands every single day...I just about brought a house out here a couple of years ago. I thought it would be awesome to have the beach, Travis Wetlands and Bottle Lake Plantation all within walking distance.....

Travis Wetlands: the Wetlands Walkway along the eastern edge of the wetlands....

View of Travis Wetlands from the eastern edge of the area

Travis Wetlands: a field of flax and rushes on the eastern edge...

...the wetlands come right up to the fence line...Travis Wetlands

From the Mairehau Road entrance you are on the Anne Flanagan Walkway...named after another stalwart of the Travis Wetlands Trust. From here is is only five minutes to the car park opposite the entrance to Burwood hospital and my car. 

Travis Wetlands: the Mareihau Road entrance near the Mareihau Road pharmacy

Anne Flanagan Walkway to Burwood Hospital, northern edge of Travis Wetlands

I saw a cat heading into the wetlands along here...not collar so possibly it was a feral cat setting forth on a seek and destroy mission. It is next to impossible to totally fence off a park such as this so there would be predition of chicks and eggs by domestic cats, rats and possums. I did see a number of DOC 200 traps used to catch pest species but there is not much you can do about your neighbors moggy...

......a possible feral cat heading into the Travis Wetlands....

Bench seat for viewing the wetlands, Anne Flanagan Walkway, Travis Wetlands

View south-east towards Port Hills from the Anne Flanagan Walkway, Travis Wetlands

End of the Anne Flanagan Walkway, Travis Wetlands

Au Revoir Travis Wetlands...I will see you again soon!!!

I arrived back at the car park I set off from after approximately 1.5 hours...I was hot, dusty and tired but had enjoyed myself a lot. 

Travis Wetlands: Burwood Hospital is behind the trees, Mairehau road car park

It was good to get back out to the Travis Wetlands..it is a really excellent day walk in a historically important and iconic Canterbury reserve. I would love to see what this area is going to look like in a couple of hundred years...I think it will be a very special feature of Christchurch 2200 TM,  RR: Rights Reserved and pomp bah diddly..... 

If you have never visited Travis Wetland I recommend you plan a trip soon...there are excellent trips to be had in the park. 

Access: Multiple access points to Travis Wetlands from Mairehau Road, Frosts Road, Travis Road and Clarevale Street. This trip started on Mairehau Road near Burwood Hospital, I then walked a figure of 8 circuit right around the wetlands. 

Track Times: From the start of the track it takes approximately 1-1.5 hours to cover the six kilometer circuit around the Reserve

Miscellaneous:Toilets only near the Education Center in the middle of the Reserve...no potable water along this track section. Be careful around traffic as you cross several busy roads. The track is an all weather route.