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 Driving New Zealand
Picton - Blenheim - Kaikoura -
Christchurch
Highway one, two lane.
On exiting the
ferry from
Wellington, follow the signs either into Picton or head south on highway one
where the road winds up over a saddle and down to the
flats of Marlborough and within a half hour you will be
in Blenheim. (A
right turn will take you on the scenic Queen Charlotte
Drive to Havelock
and Nelson).
From Blenheim,
the highway continues southeast through a region of dry
hills to the township of Seddon and then
the salt collection area at Lake Grassmere, where seawater is evaporated off to leave
pure sea salt. Most of this is for industrial
use and some may end up adding flavor to
your food. The next village is Ward and the scenery gets
more interesting when nearing the Pacific coast, where the
easy drive along the coastal road has many places to stop to
take in the surf, seals and other wild life. There are also
many places to camp and fish, you may catch a variety of
good eating varieties and fresh lobster are available from
road side stalls.
 Kaikoura
is a good stop off point for refreshments and fuel if not
your destination. In addition to the whale watch, dolphin
swims and nature activities, there
are many walks, both long and short up into
the Seaward Kaikoura Ranges which are often
covered in deep snow above 1000 meters in
winter giving opportunity for some serious
mountaineering just a few miles from the
ocean. If planning to stay, we recommend
Waves on the Esplanade motor hotel,
or the self contained
Willowbank Motel.
 Continuing
south from Kaikoura, the highway hugs the coast before
heading up over the Hundalee hills, patience is called for
when following slow vehicles. Once over the hills, the
highway stretches out into the northern Canterbury plains
and on to the small town of Cheviot, a good place to stop
for refreshments. An interesting side journey here in to go
to the seaside village of Gore bay, which in summer is a
good swimming beach.
The rolling
green hills of this region and the excellent highway make
for pleasant driving, but as always, do be mindful of the
speed limit, or traffic police.
After Waipara,
you are on the plains proper, and the traffic more dense.
Extra care is required on these straight roads. The scenery
is flat farmland, and scenically more interesting in the
early morning, or late afternoon. Continue into Christchurch
via the motorway, or turn left before the start of the
motorway and pas through the town of Kaiapoi and the
vegetable growing area of marshlands.
The average
drive time Picton to Christchurch is 5 hours with a rest
stop.
Click here to calculate actual distances
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