Little River Suburb Guide
A historic rural service town on the Banks Peninsula cycle trail
Ward: Banks Peninsula
Little River is a small rural service town at the base of Banks Peninsula, about 60km south of Christchurch on the road to Akaroa. The town is a gateway to the Banks Peninsula and a key stop on the Little River Rail Trail -- a 45km cycling and walking trail following the old Akaroa Branch railway line from Hornby to Little River.
The settlement retains its rural character with a general store, gallery, cafe, and the Little River Wharehouse crafts gallery -- all serving both the local farming community and the growing trail-tourism market. Banks Peninsula's walking tracks, farm stays, and scenic landscapes attract visitors throughout the year.
Properties in Little River are predominantly lifestyle blocks and rural-residential properties, with limited conventional residential stock. Values are modest given the rural location, though demand for lifestyle properties in the Banks Peninsula hinterland is growing.
Key Features
- Little River Rail Trail: 45km cycling and walking
- Banks Peninsula gateway and trail hub
- Rural service town character
- Little River Wharehouse arts and crafts
- Affordable lifestyle blocks and rural land
Property Market (Q4 2025)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Sale Price | $540,000 |
| Year-on-Year Change | -0.2% |
| Median Weekly Rent | $390/wk |
| Gross Rental Yield | 3.8% |
| Revaluation Change | +3% |
Demographics (2023 Census)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Population | 390 |
| Median Age | 49 |
| Median Income | $52,000 |
| Growth Rate | +0.1% |
Nearby Suburbs
Schools in Little River (15)
There are 15 schools in Little River, Christchurch.
| School | Type | EQI | Roll | Authority | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mairehau High School | Secondary (Y9-15) | 510 | 421 | State | Zoned |
| Shirley Boys' High School - Ngā Tama o Ōruapaeroa | Secondary (Y9-15) | 464 | 1,342 | State | Zoned |
| Akaroa Area School | Composite (Y1-15) | 455 | 126 | State | Open |
| The Cathedral Grammar School | Primary (Y1-8) | N/A | 237 | Private | Private |
| Lyttelton Primary School | Primary (Y1-8) | 424 | 120 | State | Zoned |
| Diamond Harbour School | Primary (Y1-8) | 412 | 109 | State | Open |
| Duvauchelle School | Primary (Y1-6) | 420 | 25 | State | Zoned |
| Te Kura o Ōhinetahi - Governors Bay | Primary (Y1-8) | 386 | 91 | State | Zoned |
| Little River School | Primary (Y1-8) | 423 | 35 | State | Open |
| Mairehau Primary School | Primary (Y1-8) | 466 | 360 | State | Zoned |
| Okains Bay School | Primary (Y1-8) | 545 | 8 | State | Open |
| St Mary's School (Christchurch) | Primary (Y1-8) | 397 | 117 | State Integrated | Open |
| St Teresa's School (Riccarton) | Primary (Y1-8) | 398 | 160 | State Integrated | Zoned |
| Waimairi School | Primary (Y1-6) | 418 | 306 | State | Zoned |
| Yaldhurst School – Tōtara Tūkaha | Primary (Y1-8) | 432 | 124 | State | Zoned |