Why go?
Tucked into the Port Hills next door to the comfortably upmarket suburb of Cashmere, this is a 360-hectare playground for getting thrills and, potentially, very dirty.
Opened in December 2016, steep, forested hillsides were threaded through with 50 kilometres of mountain bike tracks. A chairlift nearly 2km long took bikers, walkers, sightseers and zipliners to the top.
Two months later, a huge fire began that lasted an incredible 66 days before it was extinguished. It led to the death of one helicopter firefighter, and destroyed much of what had been built and the pine forest surrounding it.
Now the park has re-opened, the infrastructure rebuilt and, though most of the area is still scrubby brush, replanting has begun. Judging by the cheerful and mud-splashed faces of the mountainbike patrons, fun is definitely being had.
If hurtling down narrow tracks along steep-sided valleys and around hairpin bends is not your thing, you can still earn bragging rights by riding the country’s longest chairlift.
At the top, thanks to the fire, there are now unimpeded and stunning views in every direction, over Lyttelton Harbour and Pegasus Bay, across the city and Canterbury Plains, and to the Southern Alps. After enjoying all that, you could just tamely take the chairlift back down, or have some proper fun by riding the ziplines.
There are four double-lines, the first two just over half a kilometre long, the third 900 metres and, at 180m above the valley bottom, also the highest.
The last one is the longest in New Zealand, at 1100m. It’s a guided trip, and once kitted out at the bottom, you carry your ‘‘trolley’’ along mostly short stretches of track between the lines. The guides are in charge of all the clipping on, and getting you off again, using a ladder.
Whining down the lines is great fun, but the real thrill is when you hit the brake pads. So maybe don’t start that diet yet: bigger people go faster. The record is 125kmh.
Insider tip
You can get to the Adventure Park on a twice-daily free shuttle bus from outside the Canterbury Museum. And if you walk up to the top of the chairlift, you can ride it back down for nothing.
On the way/nearby
If you’re missing the trees, go for a walk in Victoria Park, which has bush, forest and gardens, plus tracks for walking and cycling. And for an even longer view, go to Sugar Loaf — just head for the tall broadcasting tower (but mind out for the sheep).
How much?
The Zipline Tour costs $180 for adults, $90 for 17 and under, and $350 for a family. Sightseeing is just $25, $15 or free, according to age.
Best time to go
Depends how muddy you want to get: the park is open every day, 10am to 5pm, longer for the cafe. ❚