See the best of both islands with this simple itinerary for Wellington to Christchurch drive
Auckland to Wellington or Christchurch to Queenstown are not the only scenic drives in New Zealand, Wellington to Christchurch has its own place and since it allows you to enjoy the best of both the islands, it is quite popular too. You can spend 3 to 5 days driving and exploring other NZ cities on the way till you reach Christchurch. This is a detailed 5 day itinerary for Wellington to Christchurch drive and is quite easy to follow; just cut down the stops and customise it depending on the number of days you have.
Vacations are all about fun and freedom & a chance to escape the routine. Treat yourself well, rent a car for the drive and have a relaxing and fulfilling time as you explore both the islands of New Zealand in the comfort you deserve. With public transport you will have to depend on schedules and all, but with a rental car you will be free to go and stop on whim. Renting a car proves really convenient as the majority of car hire companies allow travelers to pick the rental vehicles in Wellington and return them in Christchurch at the airport before their flights.on attractionson attractions.
Day 1 Spend a day in Wellington
Wellington is New Zealand’s capital and North Island’s most popular city second only to Auckland. It is flanked by hills and harbour which means you must make time for Wellington Skytower aka Mount Victoria – it is one of the places where you will be able to enjoy the panoramic views of the city to the fullest. Make sure you take a lot of pictures.
Thing to do & see in Wellington
Though Wellington is a rather small city, it is quite big on attractions, character and museums. Other than that, its food scene is exceptional, just head towards Cuba Street which is also Wellington’s shopping hub. If you are into boating and diving, you will find enough opportunities to keep you entertained.
- Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
- ZEALANDIA
- Wellington Botanic Garden
- Wellington Zoo
- Beehive
- Cuba Street
- Wellington Harbour
Day 2 From Wellington, take Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferry to Picton
The drive from Wellington to Picton takes about 4 hours to complete including the time you will be spending on the ferry. That means if you start early, you will be able to save more than half a day for sightseeing in Picton.
Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferry starts for Picton as early as 8 AM. If you are up to it, you will be able to reach Picton by 11:30 AM. Another good thing is that Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferry allows the passengers to take rental cars along with them. So while renting a car, just check with the supplier whether they allow the car rental to be taken on a ferry before booking. In case the company doesn’t allow and have car hire depots in both Wellington and Picton terminals, they will definitely allow you to uplift another vehicle on reaching Picton. In the later case, buy the ticket as a foot passenger.
It is a really scenic ferry ride dotted with highlights like the stunning coves of the sounds, Red Rocks seal colony, Tory Channel, and Cook’s Lookout.
Things to do in Picton
On reaching Picton, get the rental vehicle and drive to the city and explore. Museums to island attractions of the Marlborough Sounds, cafes, restaurants and interesting walks, Picton has enough to keep you entertained the rest of the day. Photography, sailing, trekking, biking and cruise, Picton offers numerous opportunities to make your visit ultra-memorable.
- Edwin Fox Museum
- Marlborough Flyer
- EcoWorld Aquarium & Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre
- Tirohanga Track
- Seafood Odyssea Cruise
- Kaipupu Wildlife Sanctuary
- Picton Heritage& Whaling Museum
- Bob’s Bay
If possible, spend the evening exploring one of the wineries at Picton’s wine region; it will be best to join a wine tour to save time.
Where to stay in Picton?
- Picton Harbour Inn
- Claramount Inn & Spa
- Merrill House
Day 3 Have an early breakfast & start the drive towards Blenheim
The drive from Picton to Blenheim is quite short and you need just 25 to 30 minutes to complete it. Blenheim is the heart of Marlborough Sounds’ wine region but along the drive there is not much to see (the views of the Marlborough Sounds you see while on the ferry from Wellington to Picton are enough, no need to go on side trips). There is a golf course and some farm parks scattered along the drive in case you feel like stopping.
For Blenheim, even half-a-day is enough but if you want to explore the wineries, you will need at least 1 day. Blenheim has been the world class hot spot for wines, especially Sauvignon Blanc, so make sure you buy some. Here is a small list of attractions you can check out in a day in Blenheim:
- Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre.
- Saint Clair Family Estate Vineyard Kitchen.
- Pollard Park.
- Wither Hills Cellar Door.
- Villa Maria Estate Marlborough Winery.
- Edwin Fox Museum
- Pukatea / Whites Bay
- Marlborough Museum
- EcoWorld Aquarium & Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre
- Pollard park
- The Vines Village
- Seymour Square
Where to stay in Blenheim?
- The Peppertree
- Marlborough Vintners Hotel
- Walnut Block Cottages
Day 4 It’s time to drive to Kaikoura from Blenheim
This is approximately 2 hours drive, so if possible try to leave by 9 AM. On the way, stop at Lake Grassmere salt works, a one of a kind place in NZ, which turns pink in summer. This is a really beautiful drive and after the town of Ward, the scenic views just keep on improving. If you would like to check out the walking trails of the Sawcut Gorge, they are located north of the Ure River.
In Kaikoura, you can indulge in a lot of experiences, but make sure you make time for a whale watching tour (where, most probably, you will be able to see a lot of different). If you are a bird-lover, you will be able to spot a lot of bird life here; mollymawks, albatross and petrels are some of the birds you will be able to spot in Kaikoura. It is also a great place for you if you like kayaking and jet boating. A visit to the Waipara Valley is a must.
Places to see in Kaikoura
- Whale Watch Kaikōura
- Encounter Kaikoura (Dolphin Encounter)
- Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway
- Fyffe House
- Seal Swim Kaikoura
- Kaikōura Peninsula
- Mount Fyffe Road
- Point Kean Viewpoint
Where to stay in Kaikoura?
- Kaikoura SeaSide Lodge
- Alpine Pacific Motels & Holiday Park Kaikoura
- Alpine View Motels
- Kaikoura Waterfront Apartments
Day 5 Drive from Kaikoura to Christchurch
This is an approximately 3 hours drive and the views along the road are really good, so do stop and click pics whenever you can. This is the last leg of the journey and be ready for some serious beach time at surf beaches of Amberley, Leithfield, Waikuku and Woodend.
Christchurch is South Island’s largest city and is full of culture and heritage. The restored trams, the old buildings that now store & showcase artworks, heritage sites, art galleries, museums, cafes and restaurants, the city has something for everyone.
Things to do in Christchurch
- International Antarctic Centre
- Canterbury Museum
- Hagley Park North
- Christchurch Botanic Gardens
- Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
- Orana Wildlife Park
- Cathedral Square
- Christchurch Gondola
Where to stay the night in Christchurch?
- Kiwi House
- JUCY Snooze Christchurch