Last weekend, we headed out to Oxford to walk the Ashley Gorge Loop Track. First of all, I absolutely love this drive to get there. The scenery is stunning and the drive through Oxford is lovely. It's such a cool wee town. I'd love to live there. The AllTrails website describes this walk as a moderately challenging route, which i would agree with. There is quite a steep incline when you turn off on the waterfall track. Apparently it is great for birdwatching, however we didn't come across many. There is also a small bird hide shelter to sit and watch through. We heard plenty of birds in the distance, I am picking the kids loud laughing and chatting scared them all away! There are a range of different trees to look at - some have a small information plaque beside them.
Overall ,we really enjoyed this track and look forward to completing it again one day.
Highs:
The waterfall at the end. It was magical.
The beautiful greenery the entire track.
Friendly fantails.
Inspecting the trees with holes covering the trunks. We later learnt it is a type of beetle which slowly destroys the trees eating away at them.
Very quiet track. In the 2h 30m+ we were there, we passed 3 groups.
There is visitors book at the very beginning of the track. It was really cool reading where everyone has come from. Indie was excited to write her name.
There's plenty of logs/tree stumps to perch on to stop for snacks.
Lows:
Quite a challenge carrying our toddler in the back carrier up the steep part of the track.
A bit slippery on the gravel coming back down.
Getting There: From Christchurch, head north on the SH1. In Kaiapoi slide left onto SH71, then in Rangiora turn left onto SH72 towards Oxford. In Oxford turn right onto Ashley Gorge Rd and follow it for the next 8.5km. As you approach a bride, you will pass Ashley Gorge Holiday Park and Reserve. Park on the grass in between the Holiday Park entrance and the bridge. The reserve is equipped with picnic tables, toilets, a playground, river access and swimming holes there. Walk across the bridge and you'll see the sign post and stairs on the left to begin the walk.
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