Northern Pegasus Bay

Okay, so I'm here at Northern Pegasus Bay, and it's pretty impressive. This whole area is a regional park, run by Environment Canterbury, and it stretches north from the Waimakariri River, covering all these beaches like Kairaki, The Pines Beach, Woodend, Waikuku, Leithfield, Amberley, and even the Ashley River/Rakahuri estuary.

The geography here is really diverse – you've got sandy and pebbly beaches, river mouths, estuaries, and dunes, which all create some important habitats. The Ashley Rakahuri Estuary, especially, is a huge spot for birds on the South Island's east coast. I've seen some spotted shags and white-fronted terns around, and apparently, you can also spot banded dotterels, pied stilts, and even the endangered wrybill. There are also seasonal migrations of birds like grey-tailed tattlers and bar-tailed godwits, which is pretty cool.

One thing to know is that these beaches have been eroding since the 1980s, and with heavy rainfall, it's been affecting the tuatua in the bay. They've also had to change some of the rules here over the years. Back in 2016, the Waimakariri District Council updated their bylaws to restrict vehicles, horse riders, and even dogs to improve safety and protect the environment. They even added drone restrictions the following year. I heard that in 2018, they had to bring in extra patrols because four-wheel drivers were causing a lot of damage. Research from the University of Canterbury in 2020 actually showed that vehicles really impact the environment and other beach users, but apparently, dune health has improved since they started requiring vehicle permits. Just last year, Environment Canterbury had to deal with a few breaches and warned people about recreational driving on the beach, especially after someone was seen speeding at The Pines Beach.

If you're into beach activities, swimming and surfing are generally safe everywhere except near the Waimakariri River mouth at Kairaki. There are surf clubs at Waikuku, Pegasus Town, and Woodend during the summer. You can also do land sailing on the sea beaches and the Ashley Rakahuri estuary, with some rules. Gas barbecues are fine in areas without vegetation, but no fires, and there aren't any on-site barbecues. Drones and microlights are restricted to protect the birds, especially in the Ashley/Rakahuri and Saltwater Creek estuarine areas.

For vehicles, two-wheel motorbikes and recreational driving are banned. You can only use vehicles to transport gear like boats or fishing equipment, and watch out for changing tides. Fishing is allowed in many spots; surfcasting is good along the beachfronts. Whitebaiting is permitted during the season at river mouths, but you'll need a permit for the Ashley River mouth. Salmon fishing is also possible, especially at Kairaki Beach. Offshore kayak and boat fishing are safer here than in Canterbury Bight, which is good to know.

There are some great cycling tracks too, like the one from Amberley Beach to the Waipara River mouth, and the Tutaepatu Trail that connects Waikuku Beach to Woodend Beach. If you have dogs, they need to be controlled, and they're not allowed in the Ashley-Rakahuri estuary. Horse riding is permitted below the high tide line in some sections, but again, not in the estuary or some specific river mouths. And finally, there are campgrounds at Kairaki, Woodend, Waikuku, Leithfield, and Amberley Beaches, but no freedom camping on the beaches themselves. So, lots to do and keep in mind while you're here!