Christchurch: Godley Head Walk with Picnic & WWII Sites

Summary

Guided walk from sumner beach to godley head with local stories

You’ll start your day with coffee by the ocean at Sumner Beach before hiking the Godley Head Loop with a local guide who knows every story along the way. Expect WWII sites, penguin nests if you’re lucky, and a picnic lunch at Boulder Bay surrounded by wild coastline. This isn’t just another walk — it’s something you’ll remember long after your boots are clean again.

What’s the experience like?

I nearly lost my hat to the wind before we’d even left Sumner Beach — that’s how our Godley Head day trip from Christchurch started. Our guide, Matt, handed me a coffee and grinned like he’d seen it happen before. The sea was loud and restless, and there was this salty tang in the air that made me feel awake in a way I hadn’t expected. We sat on the café deck for a bit, just watching locals walk their dogs past Cave Rock. It felt like everyone knew each other here.

After a short drive to Taylors Mistake Beach (Matt called it “the best surf spot if you don’t mind cold toes”), we got our backpacks and snacks sorted. I fumbled with my walking pole — never used one before — but nobody seemed to care. The Godley Head Loop Track itself is about 8 or 10 kilometers, but honestly, I stopped counting after we passed those old WWII gun emplacements. Matt told us stories about soldiers stationed here, and there was this weird silence as we looked out over Pegasus Bay — just wind and seabirds for company. At one point he pointed out a penguin nest tucked under some scrub; I never would’ve noticed it myself.

Lunch was at Boulder Bay, which isn’t really a bay so much as a quiet curve of rocks and driftwood cabins. We ate sandwiches and something called Afghan biscuits (chocolatey, crunchy — I had two). There were seals sprawled out on the rocks below us, barely moving except for an occasional flipper wave. Someone tried to spot dolphins but maybe they were just imagining things; the light kept shifting over the Southern Alps in the distance and it all felt kind of unreal for a minute.

I didn’t expect to feel so tired by the end — or so happy to have done it. My boots were muddy and my face was sunburned in patches (should’ve reapplied sunscreen), but I still think about that view from Scott’s Hutt when the clouds broke open for just a second. If you’re thinking about doing this day trip from Christchurch, just go for it. It’s not fancy or anything, but it sticks with you.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Guided walk and picnic at Godley Head

• Pick up from hotel in 12-seater van
• Drive 20 minutes to Sumner Beach
• Enjoy hot drink at seaside café
• Drive 10 minutes to Taylors Mistake Beach
• Receive backpacks, poles, lunch, and snacks
• Walk Godley Head Loop Track for 3 hours
• See Scott's Hutt, WWII gun emplacements, penguin colony
• Have picnic lunch at remote beach
• Spot seals, dolphins, and native birds
• Return walk to Taylors Mistake Beach
• Drive back to pick-up location

Top questions

How long is the Godley Head Loop Track?

The loop track is approximately 8-10 km (5-6 miles) and takes around 3 hours to complete.

Is hotel pickup included in this tour?

Yes, hotel pickup within a 5 km radius of Christchurch city is included.

What wildlife might I see on this walk?

You may see seals, dolphins, native birds, and sometimes penguins along the route.

Are meals provided during the tour?

Yes, morning snacks and a gourmet picnic lunch are included in your day trip.

Is this hike suitable for beginners?

The walk is suitable for all physical fitness levels according to the tour information.

Does the tour include visits to historical sites?

Yes, you’ll visit restored WWII landmarks such as gun emplacements and Scott's Hutt (an Antarctic cabin).

How do I get from Christchurch to Godley Head?

Your guide will drive you from Christchurch city to Sumner Beach and then Taylors Mistake Beach where the walk begins.

What should I bring on this day trip?

The tour provides backpacks, walking poles, water bottles, snacks, and lunch; bring sunscreen and comfortable shoes.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup within central Christchurch, transport by minivan to Sumner Beach and Taylors Mistake Beach, guidance throughout from a knowledgeable local guide who shares stories along the way, use of walking poles if needed, bottled water for your hike breaks, morning coffee or tea at a seaside café overlooking Cave Rock, plus snacks and a gourmet picnic lunch enjoyed right on the coast before heading back in comfort at day's end.