Christchurch Adventure Park a first for the southern hemisphere

Christchurch City Council has committed to the development of the Christchurch Adventure Park in Cashmere Forest, which, when open will be the only attraction of its kind in the southern hemisphere.

The park will showcase picturesque bike trails, accessed via a chairlift that, at 1.8 kilometres long and climbing 430 vertical metres, will be the longest in the southern hemisphere. It will also include outdoor rock-climbing and a zip-line, with scope for a Mountain Coaster – a type of gravity-powered rollercoaster that follows the contours of the hills – in a second stage of development.

The Council's $2 million contribution is being matched by NewUrban Group, which is investing in the project through its partnership with Jianping Wang of Beijing-based development and construction company Huadu International Group.

Announcing the development, Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel stated “this idea has been generating excitement from Australia to the USA to China.

"The concept of a beautiful bike park just 17 minutes’ cycle from the Central City is the sort that inspires plenty of international visitors and thrill-seekers, and this development will draw a lot of the tourist market who all-too-often skip straight from Auckland to Queenstown for their adventuring.”

The park will be located on land between Dyers Pass, Worsleys and Summit roads. Leisure development company Select Evolution estimates the park will see year-round tourist activity with an economic benefit to Canterbury of more than $150 million a year.

Development Christchurch Limited (DCL) will act as an investment partner on behalf of the Council, with $2 million transferred from Christchurch City Holdings Limited (CCHL) to DCL for investment in the project, which ensures rates will remain unaffected. An additional $2 million will come from the development partnership with NewUrban Group. The park will be developed by Select Evolution.

Jianping Wang says NewUrban Group is delighted to work with the Council to achieve such a positive community outcome, adding “we are long-term investors in Christchurch and want to be actively engaged in the fabric of the city's development.”

It is hoped for the first stage of the Christchurch Adventure Park to be completed by the end of 2016.

5th December 2015 - NEW INTERNATIONAL ANTARCTIC CENTRE OWNERS INVEST IN CHRISTCHURCH TOURISM GROWTH

18th August 2015 - TOURISM BOOSTING SOUTH ISLAND’S ECONOMY

26th October 2014 - PLANS REVEALED FOR CHRISTCHURCH ADVENTURE PARK

9th October 2014 - WORKSAFE NZ GRANTS REGISTRATION GRACE PERIOD FOR ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES OPERATORS