Godley Head Walkway is a coastal walking track at 224 Taylors Mistake Road, in Christchurch's Port Hills. It holds a 4.8 Google rating from 393 reviews. The Free Walks guide describes an easy walk of about 7km taking around 3 hours with time for photos, with views of Lyttelton and Christchurch, Second World War gun fortifications and the cave where Frank Walters, known as Shangri-La, lived until 1971. Access points are at Taylors Mistake beach and the Godley Head car park, dogs are welcome, and there is a bus to Taylors Mistake from Christchurch.
A good walking track suits your pace and the weather, so check conditions before you start. Bring plenty of water, as the guide notes there is nowhere to fill up along the way, wear sturdy shoes because side tracks to the caves can be rough, and keep children close near the cliffs. Wind on exposed headlands can be strong, so pack a layer, and starting early gives better light for photos and fewer people at the gun emplacements. Choosing which end to start from depends on how much time you have.
For Christchurch locals and visitors driving through Sumner, Godley Head is a scenic, history-rich walk with views over the harbour.