The Avon River (pronounced /ˈeɪvən/) flows through the centre of the city of Christchurch and out to an estuary, which it shares with the Heathcote River.
The Avon follows a meandering course through Christchurch from its source in the outer western suburb of Avonhead through Ilam, Riccarton and Fendalton, then through Hagley Park and the Central Business District (CBD). East of the CBD, it passes through Avonside, Dallington, Avondale and Aranui...
more
The Avon River (pronounced /ˈeɪvən/) flows through the centre of the city of Christchurch and out to an estuary, which it shares with the Heathcote River.
The Avon follows a meandering course through Christchurch from its source in the outer western suburb of Avonhead through Ilam, Riccarton and Fendalton, then through Hagley Park and the Central Business District (CBD). East of the CBD, it passes through Avonside, Dallington, Avondale and Aranui, and finally flowing into the Pacific Ocean via the Avon Heathcote Estuary (Māori: Te Wahapū) near Sumner.
The Avon River was known by the Māori as Ōtākaro or Putare Kamutu). The Canterbury Association had planned to call it the Shakespeare. The river was given its current name by John Deans in 1848 after the River Avon in Scotland. The Deans built their homestead adjacent to the Avon River where the suburb of Riccarton now lies.
Commercial punting as a tourist attraction is available in the central city and Mona Vale, a park in Fendalton.
less