The Avon River of Christchurch or Ōtākaro. Follows a winding course through the popular Botanic Gardens, our central city Hagley Park. Onto our historic Antigua Boat Sheds where people hire boats and bikes or take a scenic Punt ride then it flows past the Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial. Next past bars as well as cafes and public sitting areas through the Central Business District the new Convention Centre "Te Pae" and the newly restored Christchurch Town Hall.
Running past the Margaret Mahy playground through the Christchurch 9/11 Memorial, which is created from five steel girders from one of the World Trade Centre towers. It was designed by Christchurch artist Graham Bennett; the art work is simple, in its design.
From here it flows through the suburbs past many houses then into the Christchurch Red Zone where all the homes have been removed from the river banks due to earthquake damage. Past the largest pump station in Christchurch on New Brighton road taking the water from HorseShoe lake then feeding it into the river.
From its source in the outer western suburb of Avonhead for approximately 26- 30 kilometres flowing into the Pacific Ocean via the Estuary. It is an interesting journey one that can be followed if you’re really keen you can start from its source walking through tunnels and kayaking past all of the above.
In the past Christchurch people built their homes on its banks so large sections of the river passes through backyards of residents who can enjoy their own private waterway.
The Avon River was named by the Deans Brothers Christchurch's earliest settlers in 1849 Named ‘Ōtākaro’ by the Maori meaning ‘A place of play’ as the children would play on the banks once the gathering of food and other materials was done for the day.
Apparently the original name was to be the ‘Shakespeare River’ however the Deans brothers made a special request to name it themselves. They named it the ‘Avon’ after the river that starts in Avonhead just west of "Avonhead Rows”, and flowed through Ayrshire their home town back in Scotland.
Through the western suburbs towards the Botanic Gardens, Hagley Park and the Central Business District. From the city it travels east eventually flowing into the Pacific Ocean via the Avon Heathcote Estuary near Sumner.
