Orton Bradley Park
Orton Bradley Park
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4.0
28 reviews
Excellent
13
Very good
8
Average
5
Poor
1
Terrible
1
SD2606
Christchurch, New Zealand2,452 contributions
Sept 2022 • Family
$5 to get firstly.
I understand that it is a private space but for an entrance fee I was expecting something special and spectacular.
It wasn’t.
The playground was seriously dated, it would have been amazing 30 or so years ago.
The rhodo’s walk wasn’t that well maintained and needed some gardening love.
Not really sure why people would want to camp there.
It was lambing season when we went so the tracks were closed up the hill.
Wont return.
I understand that it is a private space but for an entrance fee I was expecting something special and spectacular.
It wasn’t.
The playground was seriously dated, it would have been amazing 30 or so years ago.
The rhodo’s walk wasn’t that well maintained and needed some gardening love.
Not really sure why people would want to camp there.
It was lambing season when we went so the tracks were closed up the hill.
Wont return.
Written 5 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark
32 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
There is hardly anything to do there. I don't know why they ask for an entry fee. The park needs work and the signs are all worn out and they don't offer a map so you don't know where anything is or how to find it. The cafe was also underwhelming, pretty much no food options especially if you are gluten free. They also ran out of food options after a very short time.
Written 6 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
classicchch
Christchurch, New Zealand381 contributions
Jun 2018 • Solo
I arrive at the front gate to pay the entry fee, there was no one there and an honesty box operating, which is a bit difficult if you don’t have the right change.
Purpose of the visit was to use the tracks to get up to Mt Herbert. It was a cool winters day and perfect for the views at the top of the hills. It had been raining in the days leading up to the trek. I headed south on the Tablelands and then the Faulkner Tracks to go to the a Packhorse Hut. From the start it appeared that the track was not used much and maintenance appeared to be a rare and ancient thing. In some places there were trees down over the track and they had been lying there some time. Markers were generally adequately spaced. A number of locations in the bush the track was overgrown and I had to push through the vegetation. Views from the track were good, bush was sparse and not that great.
Then headed north from the hut to Mt Herbert. It was steep and tough going on the section behind Mt Bradley, the track was reasonably well maintained, but much better than within Orton Bradley. Higher foot traffic no doubt helps. The highlight of the day was the views from the Te-Ara track managed by DOC. Views from Mt Herbert from Kaikoura down to Timaru were awesome.
I then took the track back down to Orton Bradley via the Mt Herbert track. The top half was easy going four wheel drive track, slippery and boggy in places. Further down into the valley the going was a lot harder with tracks badly cut up by cattle and flowing waterways, it was an actual slip and slide. Not fun to walk down. In some places marker posts were missing and I had to search for the route. All of the areas through the bush were slippery horrible messes. Often the mud and/or water was ankle height. At one point the track was overgrown with gorse, with no option other than to push through it. One section of the track was over an actual land slip. There was a river crossing with no bridge, and following the rain, it was not fun to cross water to knee height.
All up it was an eight hour round trip.
Paid well over the entrance fee when leaving to help them with their maintenance. They need it!
Don’t bother with these tracks in the winter, stick with the DOC ones.
Purpose of the visit was to use the tracks to get up to Mt Herbert. It was a cool winters day and perfect for the views at the top of the hills. It had been raining in the days leading up to the trek. I headed south on the Tablelands and then the Faulkner Tracks to go to the a Packhorse Hut. From the start it appeared that the track was not used much and maintenance appeared to be a rare and ancient thing. In some places there were trees down over the track and they had been lying there some time. Markers were generally adequately spaced. A number of locations in the bush the track was overgrown and I had to push through the vegetation. Views from the track were good, bush was sparse and not that great.
Then headed north from the hut to Mt Herbert. It was steep and tough going on the section behind Mt Bradley, the track was reasonably well maintained, but much better than within Orton Bradley. Higher foot traffic no doubt helps. The highlight of the day was the views from the Te-Ara track managed by DOC. Views from Mt Herbert from Kaikoura down to Timaru were awesome.
I then took the track back down to Orton Bradley via the Mt Herbert track. The top half was easy going four wheel drive track, slippery and boggy in places. Further down into the valley the going was a lot harder with tracks badly cut up by cattle and flowing waterways, it was an actual slip and slide. Not fun to walk down. In some places marker posts were missing and I had to search for the route. All of the areas through the bush were slippery horrible messes. Often the mud and/or water was ankle height. At one point the track was overgrown with gorse, with no option other than to push through it. One section of the track was over an actual land slip. There was a river crossing with no bridge, and following the rain, it was not fun to cross water to knee height.
All up it was an eight hour round trip.
Paid well over the entrance fee when leaving to help them with their maintenance. They need it!
Don’t bother with these tracks in the winter, stick with the DOC ones.
Written 10 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
glutenfreef00die
Christchurch, New Zealand27 contributions
Jan 2018 • Family
We are regular visitors to Orton Bradley Park but had not explored the walkways and mountain bike tracks in recent years. We got a fantastic surprise when we did on New Years Day - the tracks are easy to navigate, they meander alongside a beautiful stream and there are options for all abilities - you can walk for 20 minutes or hike for 6 hours! We walked to Big Rock and our three kids aged 7, 9 and 12 managed it easily. The kids then enjoyed boulder (rock) hopping down the stream. We hold a 'Friends of Orton Bradley' pass ( $35/year) but the $10 entrance fee would have been well worth it. The cafe on site has everything you need for food if you just want to jump in the car and go ( check opening days - it is not open 7 days). We also took bikes and there and mixed walker/bike tracks as well as exclusive mountain bike tracks. The 'farm' buildings are interesting to explore and in season, the rhododendron garden is stunning. A lovely day out for a family or group of friends.
Written 4 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Veronica V
Melbourne, Australia43 contributions
Mar 2017 • Couples
We went here on our last day in New Zealand and walked to Big Rock. Nice escape from the big city of Christchurch and plenty of room to park your motor home.
Written 30 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GGsFeedback
Wellington, New Zealand164 contributions
Mar 2017 • Family
This is a great place for camping, day picnicking and mountain walks.
It is privately owned so an entry fee per car of $10 - so don't be alarmed.
Small but lush gardens, plenty of space for kids to run around with a fun mini adventure playground, river and more.
The mountain walks are stunning and if you wanted a bite to eat, the tea rooms serve some nice meals and cake etc
You can even buy organic milk on site at $6 per 2L.
Do visit
It is privately owned so an entry fee per car of $10 - so don't be alarmed.
Small but lush gardens, plenty of space for kids to run around with a fun mini adventure playground, river and more.
The mountain walks are stunning and if you wanted a bite to eat, the tea rooms serve some nice meals and cake etc
You can even buy organic milk on site at $6 per 2L.
Do visit
Written 12 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Balmainite
Figtree, Australia69 contributions
Nov 2015 • Family
We camped for 5 nights in November with a 5 & 6 year old (city kids). It was amazing and the kids got to be real kids- splashing, running, playing, exploring, bird feeding and tramping, all in a safe and wonderful environment. We were in a caravan so we were comfy too. Fabulous & special place- highly recommended. Only pitfall is no warm shower.... That would have been an awesome addition. Other than that- we loved it
Written 6 December 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Puppy
Christchurch, New Zealand828 contributions
Oct 2015
This is a historic spot on Banks Peninsular. You can visit for a few hours or grab a campsite and stay a week. Best of both worlds you have the park with native and exotic tree walks or the beach as well as a nice wee stream. The area is out of the worst of the winds. What more could you ask for.
Written 27 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CFD20
Blenheim, New Zealand241 contributions
Feb 2020
Group of caravanners enjoyed the facilities on offer at Orton Bradley Park. Enjoyed the guardhouse entrance and welcome from caretaker. Good camping sites. Power and water.
Written 8 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jobst56
Hamburg, Germany1,670 contributions
Jan 2020
There's an entrance fee of $ 5.
From the parking/cafe you can choose to walk in various directions and length.
Could spend the whole day reaching a few hilltops.
We got a special map before ($ 2.50).
From the parking/cafe you can choose to walk in various directions and length.
Could spend the whole day reaching a few hilltops.
We got a special map before ($ 2.50).
Written 3 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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