Governors Bay: Discover coastal walks and architecture

Discover Governors Bay through its coastal walks, local history and architecture. The Governors Bay Foreshore Track leads to Teddington at the head of Whakaraupō-Lyttelton Harbour. St Cuthbert’s Church (Anglican) is an important testament to Canterbury’s early settlement; nearby Ōhinetahi adds gardens and a forest walk to the mix. You can tailor your stay to whether you mainly want to go for walks, explore architecture or experience a designed landscape.

Coastal walk or connected track routes?

The Governors Bay Foreshore Track starts beside the jetty at the end of Jetty Road and follows the coast from Governors Bay to Teddington. The wide, gravelled track is gentle and suitable for all ages and fitness levels. For people travelling together, this provides a clear point of reference: the nature of the walk and its suitability are clearly described, as are its starting and end points. Track details may change in future due to maintenance; if you plan to walk the track, check the latest updates.

Different planning considerations apply to Faulkners Track. From Governors Bay, access is available via Lighthouse Lane and The Terrace, among other routes; parking is available at these locations. As parking conditions can change, check before setting out. On reaching the ridge, the track meets Trig V and can be linked with the Crater Rim Walkway and other nearby tracks. Unlike the coastal Foreshore Track, the focus here is on connections with other tracks. Connections and closures may change due to maintenance work, so check the latest track updates before setting out.

Local history and architecture

St Cuthbert’s Church (Anglican) is an important testament to Canterbury’s early settlement. Its considerable architectural significance derives from the quality of its design and its unusual construction. For travellers who want to include architecture in their choice of destination alongside walks, the church offers a different focus: settlement history and design take centre stage here.

The 300-metre-long Governors Bay Jetty was rebuilt by the Governors Bay Jetty Restoration Trust and reopened on 30 September 2023. It is also beside the start of the Foreshore Track. This makes it possible to combine the jetty with the coastal walk, although they serve different purposes: the jetty is part of the local history, while the track follows the coast. If you plan to visit the jetty, check its current condition on site.

Gardens and a forest walk nearby

Ōhinetahi is located near Governors Bay. Its offerings include a formal Arts and Crafts-style garden, a sculpture garden and a forest walk with regenerating native plants and older, established trees. The different areas offer various points of interest for a visit: the garden’s design, the sculpture garden or the path through the vegetation. The Ōhinetahi Charitable Trust operates the house and garden and shares them with the public. Before visiting, check how these opportunities are currently organised. As a nearby attraction, Ōhinetahi complements the walks and architecture in Governors Bay rather than being the same kind of experience.

Choose your stay to suit your interests

The Foreshore Track, Faulkners Track, St Cuthbert’s Church and nearby Ōhinetahi appeal to different interests. Consider which of these experiences you want to shape your stay, then look for a hotel or other accommodation for your trip to Governors Bay. This way, you can base your choice on the things you actually want to experience.

Discover more destinations: Ashburton Lakes, Springfield, Waimate District, Arthur's Pass, Loburn, Oxford, Mount Peel, Staveley

For the overview of the wider region: Canterbury.