Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Child's Play
Submitted by Stephanie Berry
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 10 ?
Gnarl Factor: 22 ?
7.5km
260m
260m
132m
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Submitted by Stephanie Berry
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 10 ?
Gnarl Factor: 22 ?
7.5km
260m
260m
132m
Urban fringe
Out and Back
Undulating, small hills only
Native bush
Coastal
Open farmlands
Sealed Road
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +7.7%
Average Downhill Gradient: -7.7%
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1:30
Slow
1:00
Moderate
0:40
Fast
From the car parking area head north past the boat ramp and along the footpath next to the beach. Once you cross the road bridge you will see a wee track that hooks off on the beach side of the road and goes around behind the boat yard ... follow this track which then joins onto the walking track to Childrens Bay.
This will take you down the boardwalk, across some sand and then up the other side and out onto Children's Bay Road, which you follow for 200m before turning right and onto Children's Bay track which is signposted. You then just follow the track all the way to the top, over the stile and out into the paddock. There may be cows which will leave you well alone.
The track isn't very well marked here so aim for the Rhinoceros. You then scuttle down the hill a wee way to the stile … it's signposted but basically keep heading north. Once you've crossed the stile you're onto some rougher single track which undulates it's way through some tagasaste and gorse stands (clear of the track) which is rather heady when it's flowering. If you get hay fever it may pay to take precautions. This section can be muddy after rain and in winter.
As you get closer to Takamatua the track turns into 4wd dirt track before it finishes at the road gate. If you want to go further then head out the gate and off down the sealed roads to the bay. If you're sticking to the route then turn around and head back the way you came. There's some pretty quick Strava times on this route so if you're a bit competitive then check them out and have a crack at breaking some.
If you know of any public toilets near the trail start or on the route, please login and then let us know so we can update this section.
Ample parking although could be busy on cruise ship days.
0 km
1 minutes
Unknown
No
Easy.
Very patchy.
Short-sleeved thermal top, Windproof jacket, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map
None
The second half after the Rhino can be muddy in winter.
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Child's Play
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Nice views, amazing sculptures. Great for kids. Minus one star for lots of paddocks and 4WD tracks, haha!
February 5, 2021
Stunning views all around the Akaroa harbour. Some of the trail had been recently cut down to size and some parts were wild. Nice initial climb up through some Manuka trees that provided welcome shade on a sunny morning.
December 5, 2020
It's a wonderful trail. I think better marked and developed than it used to be. You can turn it into a loop now too with an excursion around Moa Point. The sculptures are awesome!
March 14, 2020
These overlap with this trail to some degree. You may wish to combine them but please note that to qualify for FKTs on these runs you should record a separate activity for each.
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