Burnside, Christchurch: Suburb Guide to Parks, Schools and Airport Links

Last updated October 2026

Burnside is a well-established residential suburb in the north-west of Christchurch, set among green spaces and major routes that link the city centre with Christchurch International Airport. Named for the small creeks that feed the headwaters of the Waimairi Stream, it grew from farmland into a family-oriented neighbourhood known for its schools and parks.

Memorial Avenue and Greers Road form the main spines through the area. Visitors and residents find easy access to sports grounds, recreation facilities and local shopping strips. The suburb sits within Christchurch City and is served by the Waimāero Fendalton-Waimairi-Harewood Community Board.

Official Suburb Facts

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About Burnside

Burnside lies in the north-western part of Christchurch, southeast of the international airport and a short drive from the central city. Its two central roads, Memorial Avenue and Greers Road, give the suburb a clear structure of residential streets, schools and open space.

The landscape is relatively flat, with pockets of mature trees and sports fields that give the area a spacious feel.

The name Burnside comes from the Scottish term for land beside a small stream. Early European settlement centred on a large farm of roughly 1,700 acres owned by William Boag, who arrived from Perthshire in the mid-nineteenth century.

For about a century the district remained largely rural, used for sheep, cattle and orchards, before suburban development accelerated in the mid-twentieth century. The name was made official by the former Waimairi County Council in 1959.

Today Burnside is known as a practical, family-friendly suburb with strong schooling options and ready access to recreation. Burnside High School, one of the larger secondary schools in the country outside Auckland, sits on Greers Road and draws students from Burnside and neighbouring areas.

Primary and intermediate schools serve local catchments, and the suburb has a diverse community character. Green space is a defining feature: Burnside Park provides organised sport and informal recreation, while Jellie Park offers indoor and outdoor aquatic and fitness facilities opposite the high school.

Memorial Avenue itself carries historical weight. It was developed as a memorial to air service personnel and opened as a major link between the airport and the city.

The avenue remains a key approach route and a focus for local retail. Overall, Burnside balances everyday suburban living with convenient connections to the airport, the university precinct at Ilam and the wider north-west of Christchurch.

History and Heritage

Before suburban subdivision, the land formed part of William Boag’s Burnside farm. The small watercourses that gave the place its name feed into the Waimairi Stream system. Farmland dominated until the post-war period, when residential streets and schools were laid out.

Burnside High School opened in 1960 on land that had earlier been considered in connection with university endowment holdings. Cobham Intermediate (originally known as Fendalton Intermediate) and several primary schools followed as the population grew.

Memorial Avenue was officially opened in 1959 by the Governor-General as a tribute to those who served in the air forces during the Second World War. Plaques mark the memorial character of the route.

The avenue replaced earlier road names and became the principal corridor from the airport through Burnside toward the city. Local history material held by Christchurch City Libraries documents the transition from rural holdings to the residential suburb recognised today.

Getting Around

Memorial Avenue provides a direct, multi-lane link between Christchurch International Airport and the inner north-west suburbs, continuing toward the central city. Greers Road runs through the heart of Burnside and connects schools, parks and residential streets. Wairakei Road and other local arterials support east-west movement.

Metro bus services operate frequently along key corridors. Routes serving stops on or near Wairakei Road and Greers Road give access to the central city in roughly 15 minutes under normal conditions, with further connections via the Orbiter and other lines.

Cycling and walking are practical for short trips within the suburb and to neighbouring areas such as Ilam and Fendalton. Proximity to the airport makes Burnside a convenient base for travellers who want suburban quiet with quick access to flights.

Getting Outdoors

Burnside Park is a large sports park of about 29 hectares. It supports organised sport, walking, picnicking and casual recreation, and includes a wooded area with notable and historic plantings. The park is a central open-space asset for residents and clubs.

Jellie Park, opposite Burnside High School on Greers Road, is home to the Jellie Park Recreation and Sport Centre. The centre has long offered indoor pools, a fitness gym, group exercise, and seasonal outdoor pools with slides and picnic areas.

Facilities and opening status can change for maintenance or upgrades, so checking the Christchurch City Council recreation pages before a visit is recommended. Together the two parks give Burnside a strong outdoor and active-recreation character without needing to travel far.

Near Burnside

Just outside Burnside, within 5 km of its centre, nearest first.

Places

Mike Pero’s Motorcycle GalleryMuseums · 1.0 kmBishopdale SkateparkNorth Christchurch Skate Parks · 1.9 kmBishopdale Park PlaygroundNeighbourhood Playgrounds · 2.0 kmEdgar Macintosh Park Paddling PoolPaddling Pools · 2.0 kmAvonhead ParkNeighbourhood Playgrounds · 2.2 kmInternational Antarctic CentreScience and Exploration · 2.2 km

Businesses

All 5Services 4Places to Stay 1

Kings Swim SchoolSwimming Schools · 4.9 kmFeaturedAlert Building Inspections ChristchurchBuilding Inspectors · 4.5 kmUrban Turf SolutionsArtificial Grass Supplier · 4.6 kmGroovy Groomers LtdPet Services · 3.3 kmTravellers RetreatBed and Breakfasts · 3.7 km

Where to Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Burnside in Christchurch?
Burnside is a north-western suburb of Christchurch, southeast of Christchurch International Airport and roughly 6 to 7 kilometres from the central city along Memorial Avenue and connecting roads.

What is Burnside known for?
It is known for Burnside High School, Burnside Park and Jellie Park, convenient airport access via Memorial Avenue, and a mix of residential streets with local shopping.

How do you get to Burnside by public transport?
Metro buses serve the suburb, including services along corridors such as Wairakei Road and Greers Road that connect to the central city and the wider network (including Orbiter links). Check the latest Metro timetables for current routes and times.

What schools are in Burnside?
Burnside High School (years 9–13), Cobham Intermediate, Burnside Primary School, Roydvale School and Christ the King School (state-integrated Catholic primary) serve the area.

Is there a large park in Burnside?
Yes. Burnside Park is a 29-hectare sports park with fields, walking areas, picnicking and a wooded section with notable trees. Jellie Park is a smaller park with a major recreation and sport centre.

Where do people shop in Burnside?
Fendalton Mall and retail along Memorial Avenue are the main local centres, with Spitfire Square also nearby for everyday needs.

What does the name Burnside mean?
It refers to land beside a small stream (from Scottish usage), reflecting the creeks that form headwaters of the Waimairi Stream. The name was formalised in the mid-twentieth century.

Is Burnside close to the airport?
Yes. The suburb lies southeast of Christchurch International Airport, and Memorial Avenue is a primary route between the airport and the city through Burnside.

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Explore Christchurch only lists suburbs officially recognised by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), and Burnside is one of them. Suburb boundary: LINZ, CC BY 4.0.