What it is
Sumner lies where the Port Hills meet the sea, beside the mouth of the Avon Heathcote Estuary. Named after John Bird Sumner, Archbishop of Canterbury, it grew from the 19th century as a seaside resort for city residents and was a separate borough until it joined Christchurch in 1945.
The beach is a long curve of sand backed by an esplanade, cafés and the village centre on Marriner Street. Its best-known feature is Cave Rock (Tuawera), a volcanic outcrop on the sand with a sea cave that can be walked through at low tide. Surfers use the eastern end towards Scarborough, and walking tracks lead up onto the headland and the Port Hills.
Getting there by bus
Nayland St near Hardwicke St (stop 30642), about 140 m from the beach, and Nayland St near Menzies St (stop 30626), around 170 m away, are both served by route 3 (Airport/Sumner).
Route 3 runs along the coast from the central city, so it is the direct way to reach Sumner; Nayland St near Head St (stop 42793) and Nayland St near Stoke St (stop 30657) on the same route are about 4 minutes' walk away.
