Update on status of Godley Head Track

Continued closure of this iconic site...

I was recently up at godley Head for the first time in nearly 18 months and thought I would discuss the future of the Godley Head Loop Track. In short the track out to the old defence installations, the DOC campsite and Lighthouse Generator Hut on the Heads remain closed...

View of Godley Head from the Breeze Bay Walking Track

The historic Godley Head defence installation has been out of bounds since late in 2020 when Asbestos was discovered on the site. The Department of Conservation and the Christchurch Regional Council decided to close the site to visitors until a full investigation could be undertaken to determine the extent of the contamination. It is widespread and it remains to be seen if the site will ever reopen to the public. 

...Godley Head Track...still closed for business...

For those who do not know Asbestos is a known carcinogen and can cause a disease known as Asbestosis which is ultimately fatal. Asbestos occurs as very fine fibre which are easily ingested or breathed into the lungs. They easily lodge there and cause cancerous growths to appear.

Asbestos is bad stuff...it easily becomes airborne and can be tracked to new locations on the clothing and feet of people who walk, touch or brush past it.  Contamination sites MUST be isolated and if possible covered to stop the fibres migrating around. Asbestos was widely used as a insulation product right up to 1987 when it was finally banned (...20 years after the rest of the world...).

DOC sign at the entrance to Godley Head car park

There are still some of the historic defence works you can visit on Godley Head...from the carpark you head uphill to a number of Observation Posts on Pt. 246. You are also able to circle Pt. 246 by using Breeze Col MTB Track, Breeze Bay Walking Track and the MTB ride up and over Pt. 246.

The carpark at Godley Head is open

It is a short 10 minute climb up from the carpark starting on the Breeze Bay Walking Track and then heading off on a tangent along an old 4 W/D track. Observation Post No. 1 is clearly visible from the carpark about 100 meters higher up Pt. 246. Observation Post No.2 is less visible but is close to the Trip point atop Pt. 246. 

View up to Pt. 246 from the carpark at Godley Head

Both posts were battery observation sites for the big 6 inch guns installed out on the edge of Godley Heads. They are well worth a visit with stunning views out over Pegasus Bay and Lyttleton which is why they are located there.

Battery Observation Post No. 1, Godley Head

...you can enter Post No. 1 from the north side...

Interior of Observation Post No.1, Godley Head

It is possible to walk right up the Pilgrims Way Track to the northern edge of the defence installation but there is a fence stopping access to the site itself. From the top of the track a side track continues along the fenceline and around to the Godley Heads car park for those who are walking the full Breeze Col Loop Track. 

End of Pilgrims Way Track at Godley Heads

You can also visit Scott's Hut and the battery positions on the cliffs above Boulder Bay from Pilgrims Way Track. There was a battery of 5.5" howitzers stationed here from 1939-1942 after which the main 6" naval guns were installed up on Godley Head. 

Historic Scott's Hut at Godley Heads

The old 5.5" battery positions above Boulder Bay

I will continue to update you if the situation changes at Godley Head as this is one of the finest short day walks on the Port Hills.