Something to look forward to

On arrival at Auckland International Airport and after completion of customs formalities, collecting your luggage and passing through security, turn left as you enter the main arrivals hall where you will be met by our local representative at the pre-arranged transfers desk. The driver will be holding a sign with your name detailed. From here you will be transferred by private vehicle to your hotel.

In: Friday 03 December 2021 Out: Monday 06 December 2021

This 1936 heritage-listed, beautifully detailed hotel embodies an art deco era of refined, exclusive elegance. Ideally located in the heart of Auckland, it's within easy walking distance of the Viaduct Harbour precinct, North Wharf and stunning Waitemata Harbour. On the doorstep you'll find luxury shopping, vibrant cafés, contemporary restaurants and lively bars. An exquisite, character hotel with a distinctly residential ambience, it offers a fashionable inner city haven, featuring beautifully appointed, stylish accommodation and the distinctive, personal service of a bygone era.

Saturday, 04 December 2021 Auckland

During your free time in Auckland you may like to consider some of the following activities: Explore the City of Sails from the water – there are a variety of options available, from sightseeing cruises to a hands-on experience sailing on a former America’s Cup yacht.

Take a day trip out to Rangitoto or Waiheke Islands. Rangitoto Island is an extinct volcano and iconic Auckland landmark. Walk over lava crops and through native bush to the summit for panoramic views of the city and out to the Hauraki Gulf. Alternatively, visit Waiheke Island with its beautiful beaches, vineyards, olive groves and laid back villages. Regular passenger ferries to each depart from central Auckland and guided tours are also available.

The Auckland Art Gallery has a wide ranging permanent collection of national and international art, both historical and contemporary and hosts a programme of touring exhibitions.

Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World, located underneath the Auckland waterfront, aims to display the Southern Ocean marine life from the perspective of a diver. Here you can travel along a 110m see through tunnel surrounding by ocean water and creatures of the deep.

Auckland War Memorial Museum introduces you to the people of the Pacific and New Zealand, the natural history of our country, and tells the stories of wars which have helped shaped the New Zealand national identity. There are also galleries devoted to New Zealand design and decorative arts and special exhibitions.

Auckland Zoo is home to over 1300 animals and is recognized as one of the most progressive zoos in the world. Set in 16 hectares of parkland, the zoo provides exciting visitor experiences aimed at inspiring people to take action to support the wildlife and environment.

Sunday, 05 December 2021 Auckland

Today is also at your leisure

Known as the 'City of Sails', Auckland city extends over a narrow isthmus between the Waitemata Harbour on the Pacific Ocean, and the Manukau Harbour on the Tasman Sea. Auckland has spectacular natural features, including 49 dormant volcanoes. This cosmopolitan city has a population of around 1.4 million and the city’s subtropical climate, lush vegetation and easy access to the coast and outdoor activities consistently earns it a place in the top five rankings in international lifestyle surveys. A melting pot of 190 different ethnicities, Auckland is the world’s biggest Polynesian city. This diversity is reflected in the lively arts and culture scene, a wide range of food and craft markets, vineyards, a hip cafe culture and outstanding restaurants. The dozens of islands of the Hauraki Gulf form a distinctive aspect of the Auckland landscape and provide a magnet for boaties, fishing enthusiasts and hikers.

Monday, 06 December 2021

Northern Explorer - Auckland to Wellington Rail Service

Operated by The Great Journeys of New Zealand

Includes

One item of check in baggage per person – max weight 32kgs. Additional items of baggage (max 2) can be purchased for NZ$20.00 per item.

7.15am: Check-in at the KiwiRail - The Great Journeys of New Zealand ticket counter located at Auckland Strand Station, Ngaoho Place, Auckland. Please have your booking reference ready for check-in.

7.45am: The Northern Explorer train departs Auckland.

The Northern Explorer is a journey through the heart of the North Island, travelling between Auckland, New Zealand's largest city and home of the Sky Tower, to Wellington which is New Zealand's arts and culture capital. Along the way you pass the Central North Island ski towns of National Park and Ohakune. You'll also see fantastic views of New Zealand farmland, the volcanic plateau, Mount Ruapehu, the world famous Raurimu Spiral, and stunning river gorges - all from panoramic windows.

6.25pm: Arrive in Wellington.

Duration: 10 hours and 25 minutes | Months: Year Round | Days: Mon, Thur, Sat Starts: 7.45am | Ends: 6.25pm Friday, 17 December 2021 Wellington to Blenheim

Today make your own way to the Ferry terminal

Ferry Service Wellington to Picton Ferry - Interislander (Premium) Plus Operated by Interislander

Includes:

Access to the Kaitaki Superior Club Lounge providing comfortable seating, complimentary Wi-Fi, Sky television, newspapers and magazines, complimentary food and beverages.

Check-in at the Interislander ferry terminal and board your vessel for the journey across Cook Strait. Depart Wellington and arrive into Picton harbour. The 92 kilometre voyage takes approximately three hours and is described as one of the most beautiful ferry rides in the world.

Drive Picton to Blenheim

(28kms/17 miles - approx 30 minutes non-stop drive time)

Depart the picturesque seaside town of Picton and take the short drive to sunny Blenheim, crossing the Wairau Plains past vineyards and orchards. Blenheim is the heart of wine-growing Marlborough, so you will see plenty of award winning wineries on the way into town.

Accommodation at Marlborough Vintners Hotel

1 Double Vineyard View for 3 night(s)

In: Friday 17 December 2021 Out: Monday 20 December 2021

Located in the heart of the Marlborough wine country, is a property with a reputation for style and sophistication delivered with warm hospitality. This hotel in Blenheim offers 16 beautifully appointed suites with garden or vineyard views each with an extensive range of facilities. Of course, no visit to Marlborough would be complete without sampling the fine wine. Select from the hotels personal wine list featuring some of the best vintages from local well-known cellars and boutique wineries.

Saturday, 18 December 2021 Blenheim

Today is at your leisure

Blenheim is the Marlborough region’s main commercial centre and the hub of its famous wine industry. From the kumara plantations of the early Maori, to the sheep farms of European settlers and present day success with grape and olive growing industries, Blenheim has long been a source of quality, bountiful produce. The surrounding Wairau Plains are dominated by rows of grape vines and scattered with wineries, with the compact, rural town making a great base to explore and indulge in the attractions of the region.

Sunday, 19 December 2021 Blenheim

Today is at your leisure you may like to visit Marlborough Sounds Here you’ll find 1500 kms of coastline. Deep coves offering sheltered anchorage. Endless bays fringed by secluded beaches, ancient untouched forest and native bush. Cruise, kayak, water-ski or sail. Go fishing, diving and swimming in sparkling waters.

Otherwise there is hiking and mountain-biking along with breathtaking scenic walks amongst some of the country’s finest native flora and fauna. An unspoilt haven, rich in natural history and hospitality in which to unwind and experience the magic of Marlborough.

Monday, 20 December 2021 Blenheim to Nelson

Drive Blenheim to Nelson

(114 kms/71 miles - 1 hour 45 minutes non-stop drive time)

Depart the sunny town of Blenheim, cross over the Wairau River and make your way through the stunning Marlborough region. The lookout viewpoints along this drive are plentiful, so give yourself time to stop at each of them and take in the beautiful scenery. Take a small detour to the Cullen Point Lookout and breathe in the fresh air whilst overlooking Pelorus Sound. Continue on, following the Pelorus River (another filming location from The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug) where you will meet the Pelorus Bridge. In the Summer months, a great swim spot! And in the Winter, a nice spot to stretch your legs! As you leave the Marlborough region and enter the Nelson region, the road becomes hilly and sweeps up and over the Rai Saddle and Whangamoa Hill before running down to Tasman Bay and the City of Nelson.

Highlight of this drive: The 'Greenshell Mussel Capital of the World' - the historic town of Havelock, just a short detour off the main route to Nelson located at the meeting point of the Pelorus and Kaituna Rivers. If time permits, take the Greenshell Mussel Cruise for lunch, or take a small walk around the many walking tracks in the area.

Accommodation at Abel Tasman Lodge

1 Double One Bedroom Chalet for 4 night(s)

In: Monday 20 December 2021 Out: Friday 24 December 2021

Situated in the heart of Marahau and only 400 metres from the National Park entrance, this is the perfect accommodation for the famed Abel Tasman National Park. Self-contained accommodation is set amongst acres of native gardens including studios, one bedroom and two bedroom chalets. The National Park is suitable for all ages and the hosts of this property know it extremely well and can therefore assist guests in choosing activities suitable to their age, level of fitness and personal wishes

Tuesday, 21 December 2021 Nelson

Today is free to explore Nelson at your leisure and there are many options available. The vibrant city of Nelson is alive with boutique art galleries, cafes and restaurants. Various regional markets are held on a weekly basis. Don't miss the Nelson Farmer's Market if your stay includes a Wednesday morning or the Motueka Sunday Market for fresh local produce and crafts.

The wider region boasts craft breweries and wineries as well as a number of scenic and adventure activities. Visit some of them on a guided tour or hire a bike and explore them at your own leisure while cycling along Tasman's Great Taste Trail.

Nelson is the gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park, one of New Zealand's most popular visitor destinations. Take a day trip out to the park with its golden sandy beaches, turquoise waters and lush New Zealand bush. Explore the park on foot, by kayak or opt for a leisurely cruise.

Situated by the Waimea Estuary, just a short drive off the main coastal highway Nelson and Abel Tasman National Park, lies Mapua Wharf with a range of craft shops, galleries, restaurants, bars and cafes. Mapua Wharf is also where the ferry departs from, connecting Rabbit Island with Tasman's Great Taste Trail.

For two extraordinary collections representing innovation, design and wonder, visit the World of WearableArt Museum (WOW) showcasing some 50 wearable garments and the adjoining Classic Car Collection with some 140 veteran, vintage and classic cars near Nelson Airport.

Wednesday, 22 December 2021 Nelson

Another day at your leisure

Sunny Nelson lives up to its name with one of the highest sunshine hours in the country. The province has interesting topographical contrasts, from rugged mountains to extensive alluvial flats, from rough grazing land to intensive close backed farming, from desolation to virgin forest. Nelson is the commercial centre and seaport for a fertile, highly productive and extremely beautiful district noted for fruit and hops growing as well as general agricultural and vineyards. With three National Parks on its outer fringes Nelson is a great base for those who enjoy the outdoors. The region is also home to around 350 artists so enjoys an enviable reputation for a vibrant arts scene.

Thursday, 23 December 2021 Nelson

Today is at your leisure you may like to head over to the Golden Bay

The vibrant township of Takaka, which is adorned with colourful murals, oozes an undeniable passion for the arts; with jewellery stores, boutique stalls, art galleries and glassblowing studios occupying the main drag, and talented artisans selling handcrafted chocolates out of a hole in the wall in a nearby carpark.

Near Takaka,Te Waikoropupu Springs are holding the title as the largest freshwater springs in New Zealand, and the largest coldwater springs in the Southern Hemisphere, this wahi tapu (sacred place) is considered a taonga (treasure) by local Maori, and is held in high cultural and spiritual regard. Although you cannot swim in the springs, or even so much as glide your finger across the surface, it is easy to appreciate its allure when it contains some of the clearest water ever measured.

The historic little town of Collingwood is the access point for a range of spectacular natural attractions, including Wharariki Beach (a great spot for extended beach walks, a horse ride or to simply sit and watch the sunset) and the 35km long Farewell Spit. Farewell Spit Nature Reserve is a bird sanctuary and wetland of international importance, being more strictly protected than a national park. The first four km are publicly accessible. To experience the full length of the sandbank book a guided tour with Farewell Spit Eco Tours (pre-booking recommended).

Golden Bay is highly connected to two of the regions spectacular national parks, perhaps the reason for it's tagline 'Heart of the Parks', and for the stunning golden sands that line the eastern side of the bay. From Takaka you can easily access the Abel Tasman National Park's northern end for a walk to Wainui Falls or venture further to the coast at Totaranui at the Northern end of the famous Abel Tasman Coastal Track. Access to Kahurangi National Park and the Heaphy Track by foot is also a great option for those with more time at their hands.

Drive Nelson to Punakaiki

(265 kms/165 miles -3.5 hours non-stop drive time)

Depart Nelson and journey into the fertile farmlands of pine forested hills around Murchison. Pass through the mighty Buller Gorge which is the gateway to the West Coast and from there it is on to the incredible drive down the coast. The mighty rollers from the Tasman Sea crash and thunder endlessly onto the rocky shore. Arrive at Punakaiki and view the geographical oddities of the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes, where countless years of wind and water have weathered the coastline into pancake-like formations.

Sunday, 26 December 2021 Punakaiki to Franz Josef

Drive Punakaiki to Franz Josef

(217 kms/135 miles - 3 hours non-stop drive time)

Depart Punakaiki and follow the Great Coast Road, one of the most scenic touring routes in the world, alongside the Paparoa National Park. to Greymouth. At times, the rainforest comes right down to the sea and the area is home to the world's smallest penguin. From Greymouth, continue south on State Highway 6 to arrive in Hokitika. From here, the road dips in and out of dense bush for many miles, crossing beautiful stretches of countryside scattered with farming settlements to Franz Josef, the first of the West Coast’s two well known Glacier settlements.

Nestled in the heart of New Zealand's spectacular Glacier Country, is a architecturally styled Bed and Breakfast property. Set in a beautiful bush garden, the Lodge offers well-appointed accommodation with stunning views of the West Coast's rainforests, mountains of the Southern Alps and the Franz Josef Glacier. Rooms are superbly comfortable offering large open plan suites with stylish ensuite bathrooms

Monday, 27 December 2021 Franz Josef

Today is at your leisure

The best observed and recorded of all the country's many glaciers, Franz Josef lies 25 kilometres to the north of Fox and was named after the Austrian emperor by Julius Von Haast, the first European to explore the glaciers here. View the glacier from the lookout point at the end of the Franz Josef Road.

Tuesday, 28 December 2021 Franz Josef to Wanaka

Drive Franz Josef to Wanaka

(287 kms/178 miles - 4 hours non stop drive time)

Depart Franz Josef heading through a mountainous section of road before entering Fox Glacier. Cross the Cook River Bridge and travel through forests of red and white pine to Bruce Bay, an old goldmining settlement. Continue through attractive bush scenery until you pass tranquil Lakes Paringa and Moeraki, the haunt of the fabulous White Heron, to the township of Haast. From here, drive through the Haast Pass Highway, viewing en route Mount Brewster, towering 2423 metres and the Brewster Glacier. Descend 82 kilometres, past the Lake Hawea Dam, water storage for the Roxburgh Hydro Electric Station, to Wanaka.

Wednesday, 29 December 2021 Wanaka

Today is at your leisure to explore Wanaka and its surrounds. Due to its location at the southern tip of Lake Wanaka with the Southern Alps as a backdrop, Wanaka is a fantastic outdoor playground. One of the best ways to discover Wanaka and its surrounds is on the water. Explore the lake by kayak or stand-up paddle board. Or, if you want to take it a little further, choose between a guided kayak trip up the Clutha River, an entertaining eco tour to Mou Waho Island in Lake Wanaka, or a spectacular jetboat ride to Mount Aspiring National Park on the braided Matukituki River.

If you prefer to spend the day ashore, walking tracks and bike trails are plentiful with short, easy options as well as half day and full day hikes and rides easily accessible. Another, less physical way to see the region is by off-road excursion to one of the region’s iconic high country stations. For a great indoors activity and unusual experience, visit of Puzzling World on the outskirts of town. The Illusion Rooms, Puzzle Centre and Maze will leave you baffled. This makes for a fun family experience. Warbirds & Wheels, another indoor exhibition, houses a large collection of luxury American Classic cars, vintage vehicles and fighter aircrafts.

If you simply can't get enough of Wanaka's panoramic views, book in for a skydive or scenic helicopter flight.

In winter, Wanaka becomes a ski resort with two main world-class ski fields, Treble Cone and Cardrona, in easy reach. Single and multi day passes are available and gear and clothing can be hired if you decide to take to the slopes and give skiing or snowboarding a go.

Friday, 31 December 2021 Wanaka to Queenstown

Drive Wanaka to Queenstown (117 kms/72 miles 1.5 hours non-stop drive time) From Wanaka, travel to Cromwell and through the spectacular Kawarau Gorge to follow the river into Queenstown.

Saturday, 01 January 2022 Queenstown

Today is free to explore Queenstown at your leisure. Queenstown and its surrounds are a true outdoor playground with much to offer for adrenaline-seekers, the active, wine lovers, and families alike. Known as the adventure capital of the world, thrill-seekers have an abundance of options to choose from. Queenstown is ground zero for commercial bungy jumping anywhere in the world. Choose between Kawarau Bridge, where it all started, or head to the Nevis Bungy site for the most daring and highest bungy jump in the world (134m high!) – or go for a combination of the two and supplement it with a canyon swing or catapult experience. Experience the excitement of a high speed jet boat ride: skim across the water, whizz round corners and shoot through narrow rocky gorges!

A busy soft-adventure playground is located on top of Bob’s Peak, high above town. It can be reached by the iconic Skyline Gondola and offers activities like lugeing (part go-kart, part toboggan), zip lining (flying fox), dining with a view and stargazing.

There is no better way to appreciate Queenstown's location amid the Southern Alps than from a bird's eye perspective. Take a scenic helicopter flight, paraglide flight or take to the skies with a tandem skydive.

If you feel more comfortable on the ground, activities are plentiful, too. Cycling tours and mountain biking trails in Queenstown are a great way to explore and discover remote parts of this beautiful region! Or take to one of the many walking and hiking trails along the lakeshore or up the many hills and mountains.

For heritage-lovers, a cruise on Lake Wakatipu on board the iconic vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw is a must as is a visit of the historic town of Arrowtown, a gold-rush village.

A little further afield lies scenic Glenorchy that can be reached by a 45-minute drive along the shores of Lake Wakatipu. The views are spectacular and Glenorchy itself offers a range of activities, including walks, scenic jetboating, horse-riding and film locations from Lord of the Rings and Narnia. These are best be visited by 4x4 tour.

Wine devotees should not miss a trip out to nearby Gibbston Valley, home to some of the world’s best Pinot Noir, to explore cellar doors and restaurants to find your favourite vintage. This can be done independently by car or bicycle or as part of a guided tour.

In winter, Queenstown transforms itself into a ski resort. Ski fields like The Remarkables, Coronet Peak and Cardrona offer options for experienced skiers and snowboarders and novices alike. Or, if you would like to try something new, why not head out for a snow shoeing experience?

Tuesday, 04 January 2022 Queenstown to Te Anau

Drive Queenstown to Te Anau

(170 kms/105 miles - 2.5 hours non-stop drive time)

Today, leave the picturesque resort town of Queenstown and make your way to the gateway of the Fiords, Te Anau. The first part of your journey will skirt Lake Wakatipu in the shadow of the rugged Remarkable Ranges until you arrive in Kingston, the home of a remarkable vintage steam train. From here, continue on through to Mossburn and into the tussock covered hills. Once the highest point is reached there are magnificent views of the mountains of Fiordland to the north, south and west. After a few miles the wide panorama of Lake Te Anau comes into view.

Wednesday, 05 January 2022 Te Anau

Today is free to explore Te Anau at your leisure and there are many options available. A true outdoor playground, Te Anau’s location on the shores of Lake Te Anau offers a stunning backdrop for local activities. Being the closest town to Milford Sound, Te Anau is regarded as the gateway to Fiordland. It is also the gateway to three of New Zealand’s nine Great Walks.

Take a day trip to Milford Sound, rated as one of New Zealand’s must-sees. The journey along Milford Road, a stunning alpine drive, takes approximately two hours by coach and is a highlight in itself with numerous scenic stops along the way. Various cruise operators take visitors on the approximately 16 kilometre/10 mile journey from the fiord’s head to the open sea.

Not less spectacular but more remote and visited by fewer travellers is Doubtful Sound, also known as the Sound of Silence. The spectacular journey to Doubtful Sound involves a short coach transfer to nearby Manapouri followed by a cruise across Lake Manapouri, a scenic drive over Wilmot Pass and down to the head of Doubtful Sound for a scenic cruise on the fiord.

If you are into hiking or walking, various sections of the Kepler Track, Routburn Track and Milford Track can easily be reached from Te Anau by road transfer, water taxi or jetboat. There are options to hike segments of these three Great Walks guided or unguided. Other activities include cycling along the Lake2Lake Cycle Trail along the Upper Waiau River that connects Lake Te Anau with Lake Manapouri. This is a great family activity given the easy trail grade.

Another great family activity is a guided visit of the nearby glowworm caves on the western shores of Lake Te Anau, accessible only by boat.

Not to be missed is a visit of the local Fiordland Cinema to watch Ata Whenua – Fiordland on Film and enjoy a drink in the adjacent bar. Inspired by the breath-taking aerial footage, why not take a scenic flight by helicopter, floatplane or fixed wing aircraft to see more of Fiordland from above?

Thursday, 06 January 2022 Te Anau to Invercargill

Drive Te Anau to Invercargill

(158 kms/99 miles - 2 hours non-stop drive time)

Today, depart beautiful Lake Te Anau and drive through farmlands and tussock country during the first section of this trip. The road to Invercargill runs through forested hills, valleys and river plain. You may like to stop in Mandeville if you'd like to fly in a Tiger Moth, or by the Mataura River if you want to catch a trout. Gore is where you will find the Hokonui Moonshine Museum, which showcases the regions illicit whisky-making past. Invercargill is Southland's principle centre and the country's southernmost city. It is known for its elegant old department stores and wise, easy-to-navigate streets.

Friday, 07 January 2022 Invercargill to Catlins

Today drive 2 hours to your next accommodation in the Catlins

Monday, 10 January 2022 Dunedin

Today is free to take in Dunedin’s wide range of attractions and experiences. Among the best known is Larnach Castle, a private mansion with an intriguing history and built at a beautiful, isolated site on Otago Peninsula. Whilst out on the Peninsula, a wildlife tour or visit to the albatross and penguin colonies is recommended and you may like to include a stop at Glenfalloch Gardens, one of New Zealand’s finest woodland parks. Back in the city, head to the Octagon with its many bars and cafes, or explore the boutique fashion stores for which the city is gaining a reputation. A short walk from the Octagon, The Speights Brewery, situated on the same site since 1876, offers behind the scenes tours giving a background to this famous New Zealand beer. Other heritage buildings worth a visit are Olveston House, an elegant Jacobean style home, and the distinctive and grandiose Dunedin Railway Station. The Taieri Gorge train departs here daily for a scenic journey inland through the spectacular Taieri Gorge, a route originally planned to give the city access to the gold mines and rich farmland of Central Otago.

Drive Dunedin to Christchurch

(359 km's/223 miles - 5 hours non-stop drive time)

From Dunedin travel through Palmerston, former gateway to the goldfields, and on to Oamaru. Many of the handsome buildings found in this city are constructed from Oamaru stone which has led to its nickname 'The White Stone City'. En route to Timaru, a very popular seaside town, pass the 45th Parallel - halfway between The Equator and the South Pole. Pass through Temuka, known for its earthernware pottery and soon afterward you will arrive in the town of Ashburton, the centre of a large sheep and wheat farming area.

Leaving Ashburton, head north and pass over the mighty Rakaia River, famous for its salmon fishing. Continue across the farmland of the Canterbury Plains and past the military township of Burnham to Christchurch, known as ‘The Garden City.’

Wednesday, 12 January 2022 Christchurch

Relax and enjoy a day at leisure in the Garden City.

With the rebuild of Christchurch following the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes, the urban city centre today is full of new secrets to discover. Prepare for new architecture, bustling restaurants, laneways, large, green public spaces and immense street art. To find out more on the street art, visit watchthisspace.org.nz.

The flat city scape makes it easy to get around on foot or by bicycle. Alternatively, the hop on hop off sightseeing buses or the city tour tram are great options for exploring Christchurch. Hagley Park is home to some of the city's attractions, including the large Botanical Gardens, the fascinating Canterbury Museum and the tranquil Avon River. Punting is an iconic activity and popular way to discover the park in a relaxed way. The inner city retail precinct with a wide range of boutiques and contemporary shops is found down Cashel, High and Colombo Streets.

Foodies will find an array of restaurants along Victoria Street and New Regent Street, trendy bars on The Terrace and casual eateries at Little High off High Street or at Riverside Market.

Great family attractions around the city also include the interactive Turanga Central Library, the International Antarctic Centre (near the airport), Willowbank Wildlife Reserve and the Air Force Museum. For adrenaline-seekers, a visit to the Christchurch Adventure Park offers great mountain biking and ziplining (with New Zealand's longest flying fox). Further afield, you can take a scenic drive out over Banks Peninsula to the quaint French settlement of Akaroa.

Thursday, 13 January 2022 Christchurch to Kaikoura

Drive Christchurch to Kaikoura

(182 kms/113 miles - approx 3 hours non-stop drive time)

Soon after departing Christchurch today, you will cross the Waimakariri River which meanders its way from its origin in the Southern Alps, through gorges, across the plains and exits at the Pacific Ocean. You will pass through many small towns and several look-out points before crossing the Hunderlee Hills to reach the coast where the majestic Kaikoura mountain range, snow-capped for much of the year, reaches down to the ocean. In the waters off the peninsula, a complex marine system provides an abundantly rich habitat for marine mammals and seabirds making it an ideal place for getting close to nature.

Due to on going road works following the November 2016 Earthquake you should allow plenty of time and be prepared for delays, which are likely over summer, or unexpected closures when you may have to change route.

Friday, 14 January 2022 Kaikoura

Kaikoura received its name from an early Maori explorer and translates as kai (to eat) and koura (crayfish). Today Kaikoura maintains its fishing heritage. The ocean’s continental shelf is very close to shore with an abundance of over two hundred species of marine life. The sights are truly unique - hundreds of fur seals sunbathing on the rocky shore, spectacular leaping dolphins and the most awesome of mammals, the sperm whale. There is evidence that the Maoris settled in Kaikoura nearly one thousand years ago with historic pa sites and the Maori Leap Cave able to be viewed.

Drive Kaikoura to Picton

(157 kms/97 miles - approx 3 hours non-stop drive time)

Due to on going road works following the November 2016 Earthquake you should allow plenty of time and be prepared for delays, which are likely over summer, or unexpected closures when you may have to change route.

The road is now open 24/7. This schedule can change at any time due weather, seismic or other conditions. Always check before you travel by calling free phone 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49). Leave this marine wonderland and travel north through farming countryside to Blenheim, a rural town that is surrounded by many of New Zealand’s leading wineries. Continue the short distance to Picton.