Christchurch's Godley Head coastal track has been formally reopened after extensive repairs to earthquake damage.
The track which includes historic military emplacements, was closed after successive earthquakes caused cliffs to collapse and extensive boulder falls, making it impassable.
Conservation Minister Nick Smith says the Government has spent $480,000 repairing the track.
As part of the remedial work 450 tonnes of shingle was flown to the site by helicopter.
The repaired track largely follows the original route, except for a section where cliffs collapsed between Boulder Bay and the Taylor Battery site.
Dr Smith says the re-opened track is wider, less steep and the stair section has been redesigned to make it more convenient.
He says a new feature will be the historic cabin from Captain Robert Scott's 1911 Antarctic exhibition which will be moved to the track, overlooking Boulder Bay, following its restoration.
