The New Zealand road trips keeps on rollin’! This time we’re bringing you the intel on Christchurch, Hurunui, and Kaikōura. Learn how Ōtautahi Christchurch has fully embraced its position as New Zealand’s hub of change and creativity. Get the skinny on how Hurunui is an undiscovered gem. And discover the myriad of ways Kaikōura over-delivers on wow-worthy natural experiences.
We’ve got it all and more on 10 November in our next Tourism New Zealand webinar. Until then, get this taste of road tripping North Canterbury.
5-Day, 450-km, The Unforgettable Alpine Pacific Touring Route
The Unforgettable Alpine Pacific Touring route is New Zealand’s newest. You’ll kick off your 5-day trip in Ōtautahi Christchurch. Forget what you think you once knew, Ōtautahi Christchurch has gotten hipper, more vibrant, and is filled with surprises. Introductions like the ocean-view hot pools at He Puna Taimoana and fab eats at the Riverside Markets make us wish we were locals, not just visitors.
Day two (or three if you’ve more time for CHC), head north through the wide-open plains and past the surf beaches of North Canterbury to Hanmer Springs. En-route, consider stopping at the lush landscapes and vibrant vineyards and cellar doors in the North Canterbury wine region. From there, it’s an hour’s drive to the famed Hanmer Springs, home to lush thermal springs, a quaint alpine village, and activities for every outdoor lover, including hiking and biking trails (you can even hire bikes in the village).
The following day, drive an hour north to the Mt Lyford Adventure Park to hike, bike, ski, or skate. Continue on to Kaikōura, ‘where the mountains meet the sea’: for such a small place, so much excitement happens here!
Kaikōura is a coastal gem, with a casual nickname of being the marine Serengeti. Why? Because everything cool to see in the ocean is here! Day four, book a Whale Watch Kaikōura tour to witness giant sperm whales up close, kayak with marine life, swim with seals, and enjoy an Albatross Encounter. On land, you can even go llama trekking!
Depending on your overall plans, you may be returning to Christchurch via the coastal route on day five. Alternatively, you could head north to Picton, drive the spectacular Kaikōura to Blenheim route, or even take the Interislander ferry ride to Wellington and the North Island. The choice is yours.
For the Christchurch round-trip peeps, don’t miss Cheviot and Gore Bay on your return south. Go jet boating in Cheviot, rent a surfboard to ride Gore’s waves, and make time to explore the Badlands erosion at the Cathedral cliffs.
Top 5 Things to Do Christchurch, Hurunui, & Kaikōura
So many choices, so little time…
Outdoors
- Spend time outdoors in Ōtautahi Christchurch wandering the city’s street art. You’ll also want to lap up the New Brighton beach vistas from the He Puna Taimoana hot pools.
- In Hanmer Springs, soaking in therapeutic sulphur pools does us a world of good, too.
- Kaikōura spoils every visitor with awesome cycling and hiking trails, including the Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway.
Adventure
- The Christchurch Adventure Park has New Zealand’s longest zipline, so obvs we love whizzing past the spectacular scenery there.
- The Hanmer Springs Adventure Centre has quad biking, archery, and more, or head to Mt Lyford to hike in summer or ski in winter.
- The best adventure activity in Kaikōura has to be kayaking with seals and dolphins, though the scenic flights are up there, too. The surfing is also pretty outstanding.
Food
- Christchurch knows how to serve a feast, with the Riverside Market offering yummy dishes from around the world. If you’d like a more memorable meal, head to New Zealand’s only Restaurant Tram. End the day at the city’s rooftop bars.
- For the perfect roadside pie, stop by Bunco’s in Amberley; for a fancier feast, the North Canterbury wine region has over 90 vineyards and 15 cellar doors.
- In Kaikōura, what better to eat than locally caught crayfish? Seriously!
Wildlife
- When visiting Christchurch, drive 90 minutes to the Akaroa and cruise to see the hector dolphin, the world’s smallest and rarest.
- In Kaikōura, dusky dolphins can’t wait to play or take a whale-watching cruise to spy the majestic giant sperm whales in their natural habitat.
Shopping
- Ōtautahi Christchurch has many ways to exchange your cash into new purchases. The Arts Centre is particularly great for local crafts.
- In Hurunui, time your visit for the Saturday Amberley Farmers Market then explore the backstreet boutiques.
Get Inspired
Inspiration and North Canterbury go together like crayfish and butter: so right.
Watch this Ōtautahi Christchurch video to see why it’s the perfect basecamp for exploration of the region.
Want a tease of how to get your adventure on while on the Alpine Pacific Touring Route? Watch this: it gets our hearts racing every time!
Totes travel eye candy; check out the natural wonders of Kaikōura here.
Driving Christchurch, Hurunui, & Kaikōura
Overall, driving North Canterbury is effortless. In winter, it’s worth checking the weather conditions. While it’s rare to have actual snowfall on the roads, it can get icy in the shade.
If you’d rather someone else does the driving, hop aboard the Coastal Pacific train from Christchurch to Kaikōura (and onwards to Picton).
Get The Road Trip Playlist
Top tunes are as synonymous with roadies as pies and weird roadside statues. Good job the team at ChristchurchNZ have given us this 17-track playlist from local musicians to set the mood.
Travel Advisor? Gain Access to The Marketing Hub Toolkit Here
Join Tourism New Zealand’s Australian Trade Team on a virtual road trip through Christchurch, Hurunui, and Kaikōura. For one informative hour, you’ll learn everything about this sweet-as pocket of New Zealand.
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