Central Neighbourhood Walks: Avon/Chester

Discover & discuss inner city life: join a free walk and facilitated conversation led by a local resident that takes you from the Avon Loop, past contemporary and heritage architecture, and vacant sites full of memories and potential, to a neighbourhood favourite, Pomeroy’s.

This historic neighbourhood has both the peace and calm of the Ōtākaro Avon River as well as rushing traffic on two major one-way streets. Get to know this area better by meeting people who live in the north east part of the central city and discover how they live with history and dream about the future.

This walk is led by Gerard Smyth. Gerard moved from Lyttelton into the central city some 22 years ago. In this time he has observed the city in its many guises.. “ Out my window I enjoy seeing the ever changing world of the river and those who wander its banks.” He has also discovered that organised European settlement of the inner city started in his street. 

All are welcome – whether you live or work in the area or are merely curious about inner city living in Christchurch. The walk finishes with the opportunity to continue the conversation over a coffee (our shout!)

This walk is a tour and a conversation for everyone to share experiences of living and being in inner city neighbourhoods. It is part of a programme of walks funded by Christchurch City Council’s Central City Residential Programme to generate and gather people’s perceptions and experiences of these neighbourhoods as the central city develops.

We have organised this walk in accordance with the physical distancing requirements of COVID-19 Alert Level 2. The walk is being held twice and each of the two walks only has space for 10 attendees, to allow physical distancing between strangers to be observed. Please return your ticket and do not attend if you have COVID-19 symptoms or if you need to be in isolation for any reason.

The walk is free and booking is required.