The CJ way Guide to Gibraltar Rock

 AT A GLANCE 

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Incredibly shaped rock/hill that looks like a Pyramid!

Port Hills, Christchurch

5-40 minutes from parking

Easy

Free

Best time to visit: sunset

Jandals/sandals suitable (unless walking up Gibraltar)

 WHERE IS THIS EXACTLY? 

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• Coordinates of Gibraltar Rock: -43.660352, 172.614072

• Coordinates of parking: -43.660785, 172.620805

• You will see Gibraltar Rock long before you arrive in the designated car park. Once parked, walk North for a few minutes until you reach the farmer’s gate. We find this view gives the best pyramid shape!

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 best time to visit? 

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• Sunset! And especially in February and October where the sun will set right behind Gibraltar rock.

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 cj travel tips 

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• Since you park in the same car park as you would for Coopers Knob, you can visit both while you are there (and decide which is better for sunrise/sunset based on the clouds).To read our the CJ Way to Coopers Knob, click here.

• Arrive early enough and you can climb Gibraltar rock, which takes approx. 40 minutes from the car park. This gives an amazing view of Christchurch city. 

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 cj photography tips 

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• If visiting in February or October, try and arrive early so you can capture a sunstar when the setting sun first goes behind Gibraltar rock. Higher F stops give greater star bursts, so wait until the sun is partially blocked and experiment between F/14 and F/20.

• We preferred our sunset shot before the sun had actually set as the surrounding tussocks turned super golden in the late sunlight.

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 what we found useful to pack 

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​In addition to the usuals (camera gear, suitable clothing, water and food, first aid, etc. we found the following items useful:

• N/A