Timing

Some of the military infrastructure is currently closed due to earthquake damage.

Access

From Christchurch City Centre follow signs through Sumner to Taylors Mistake. It gets quite narrow in places. Access is also from Summit Road, reached from Dyers Pass Road.

Track

The Coastal Track (Pilgrims Way) skirts the beach at Taylors Mistake passing some funky old style kiwi baches.

The well-formed track then winds above the sea kelp fringed rocky coast, skirting the northern jaw at the entrance to Lyttelton Harbour.

It's around 1 hour 30 minutes to the gun emplacements and other sundry military buildings, then 15 minutes further to Summit Road.

Descend via the Summit Track (to Breeze Col and trig for the best views) then after the shared mountain bike track (Anaconda Track).

There is no shade on this walk and it gets quite breezy.

Polynesian History

Waitaha and then Ngai Tahu were present in the area. They named Lyttelton Harbour ‘Awaroa’ and the area behind the head Mahoenui, a reference to the mahoe trees growing there.

European History

The significant military remains of Godley Head are administered by a trust - a keen bunch of volunteers with a passion for maintaining the coastal defences.

In 1878, New Zealand became paranoid about the Russians. Governor Jervois, a military engineer in a previous career, bought 22 Rifle Muzzle Loading guns for installation around the coastline. Although none were installed at Godley Head, the idea was mooted. It wasn’t until 1937 approval was finally given for the construction of gun emplacements.

A 60 pounder battery was installed first, shortly after the outbreak of WW2. The Taylor Battery and Godley Battery, with associated magazines, followed. With the threat of Japanese invasion more real, anti-tank and infantry defences joined the ranks. Nearly 3000 personnel were barracked at the Godley Head Fortress area. As the threat receded, the guns were kept on standby but never used. Their value as a deterrent however, protected New Zealand waters from German or Japanese attention.