The Groynes is a great place for a family day out. There are lots of walking tracks, fishing spots, picnic areas and a large dog exercise park.
Access to the Groynes is from Johns Road.
Metroinfo(external link) has up-to-date bus information.
There is a large off-leash exercise park for dogs.
Dogs are not permitted anywhere else in the Groynes except if passing through on the Otukaikino Track where they must be on a leash.
There are multiple playgrounds throughout the Groynes with various equipment including a flying fox, bridge, multi-play structure, see-saw, slides and swings.
A new naturally inspired playground was installed on the western side of the reserve near the boatshed in 2016. Check out the rope swing made from coconut fibre!
During the weekend you can hire a boat(external link) and go out on the recreation lake. There are pedal boats, aqua bikes, single and double canoes to choose from.
Open 10.30am to 4pm, located next to the play and picnic area.
There are two permanent courses; white (1.9 km) yellow (2.6 km).
Purchase a map for $4 from the Rosebank Cafe(external link) (near the entrance to the Groynes Park) or download from the local orienteering club(external link).
The small lakes and waterways provide great trout fishing opportunities for children. Anglers can fish in the fishing and recreation lakes all year.
The streams in the park are closed to fishing during spawning (April to October).
All anglers need to have a fishing licence available online from Fish and Game New Zealand(external link). Licenses for children under 12 years old are free.
Enjoy one of three dedicated walking tracks:
Or wander around the lakes at leisure.
Picnic areas and free barbeques are dotted throughout the park.
To help with making your booking you can:
When you are ready to check availability and make a booking, contact us.
Please be aware that if you are arranging a publicly advertised gathering of more than 50 people you may need an event permit.
Please remember to take your rubbish home with you.
The Groynes takes its name from the large concrete filled wool sack blocks that were placed in the Otukaikino Creek during the 1930s.
These groynes were to separate the creek from the main branch of the Waimakariri river for flood protection. An area prone to flooding, native vegetation was already limited due to repeat natural events but farming and urban development caused indigenous flora to all but disappear from the area and the water quality to decrease significantly.
Since the early 2000s, efforts have been made to restore the Otukaikino River that runs through the Groynes, remove pest plants from the lakes and increase native plantings.
