Blenheim is the main base for reaching many wineries in the Marlborough region and is the sunniest town in New Zealand. Using a 16-point compass rose, we determine: See geographic coordinates for Christchurch as well as coordinates for Kaikoura. Book a seafood cruise >, Queen Charlotte Sound Mail Boat CruiseThis scenic and quirky afternoon cruise takes you onboard a working mail boat to deliver post to local residents in the sounds, with a stop at the pretty Ship Cove. Looking for something that would take at the most half a day to do/see. Facilities include a solar-heated swimming pool, BBQ, spa, kitchen and free WIFI. Speed along the Waiau Gorge on a fun adrenaline fueled jet boat adventure. Here is our suggested jam packed Christchurch to Nelson drive itinerary: Public transport can be almost non existant between towns in New Zealand, and many attractions are usually a bit of a drive away from city centres, so for that reason we would recommend using your own transport for your Christchurch to Nelson road trip. Drive from Christchurch to Nelson (make a stop or two along the way for rest and food). 18 Boat trip/Depart Kaikoura/Arrive Christchurch. Book a Skywire Experience >. Spend a couple of days exploring Christchurch city, then if you have more time you can continue your road trip and drive south towards Queenstown on this Christchurch to Queenstown 1 week itinerary, or head to Dunedin on this Christchurch to Dunedin 5 day itinerary. LUXURY – Picton Beachcomber InnHotel overlooking Picton Harbour with refurbished rooms, outdoor pool, on-site restaurant with views of Picton Harbour, plus some rooms come with a spa bath and balcony. The walk takes 3-5 days to complete and needs advance booking to access the huts and campsites along the route. Also if you happen to be visiting Blenheim on a Sunday then check out the Marlborough Farmers market where you can pick up some gourmet delights to pair with your bottle of local Marlborough wine. $75 per person (min $375 charge) Nelson to Greymouth. BUDGET AND CAMPERVAN – Blenheim TOP 10 Holiday ParkHoliday park with a mix of motels, self contained units, cabins and powered campervan sites. From Havelock to Nelson the route goes by the beautiful Pelorous River, which has crystal clear waters that you can swim or kayak in. You can also calculate the cost to drive from Christchurch, New Zealand to Kaikoura, New Zealand based on current local gas prices and an estimate of your car's best gas mileage. Continuing along State Highway 1 instead of turning off at Waipara will take you on to Nelson via the Coastal Route. The next stop on the Christchurch to Nelson trip is Picton which is a very short drive from Blenheim. The round road trip starts and ends in the city of Christchurch (which has an international airport) and lasts 8 days. Maruia Hot Springs Resort & Spa This boutique retreat and day spa has natural mineral hot pools you can bathe in with picturesque mountain views. Blenheim is surrounded by vineyards, so if you have time take a winery tour. 857 km. 1. There is also a hotel and some glamping pods onsite if you want to stay overnight. We recommend spending 2 nights in Blenheim so you have one whole full day to enjoy visiting the many wineries in the area. Nelson to Christchurch $160 per person (min $800 charge) Nelson to Kaikoura. Hugging the eastern coast of the South Island, this route will take you through the Greta Valley, through Cheviot, meeting up with the coast at a place called Oaro. 10 years ago. Facilities include a heated swimming pool (seasonal), spa and BBQ facilities, plus there are convenience stores and restaurants opposite the park. Please note the road may close at short notice due to weather conditions. Located a short walk from local restaurants in the marina. Est Driving Time. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. 16 Nelson. The name Kaikoura means 'meal of crayfish' (kai - food/meal, kōura - crayfish) and the crayfish industry still plays a role in the economy of the region. Did you enjoy our Christchurch to Nelson drive road trip itinerary blog post? Created by a user from New Zealand. $120 per person (min $600 charge) Nelson to Westport. The colony is handily located right next to a car park, but note – keep a good distance from the seals as to not disturb them. If you are arriving at Christchurch airport you can pick up your hire car there and head straight to your first destination. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Travel Mar 06 - Mar 13. MID RANGE/LUXURY – Chateau MarlboroughWinner of New Zealand’s Best Regional Hotel. Luxury self-contained suites with on-site swimming pool, bar and spa. 15 Nelson. Read more in our Hanmer Springs guide blog post >. Book a Full-Day Guided Biking Wine Tour >. For details, see the flight time from Nelson to Kaikoura to Christchurch. Nelson Saturday MarketBased in Montgomery Square this market is held every Saturday between 8am and 1pm, and has many delicious food offerings (Kiwi and international) at reasonable prices. Book a Quad Bike Safari >, Jet boatingWheeeeeee!!! Eat seafoodKaikoura is home to some of the best and fresh seafood in New Zealand and we recommend a visit to the legendary Kaikoura Seafood BBQ roadside stall to sample some delicious lobster, crayfish, scallops or whitebait fritters. Airport (CHC) is the most frequented airport in Kaikoura. Christchurch To Nelson Coastal Route Via Kaikoura. We are Caroline and Neil - two British travel bloggers who seek authentic and awesome travel adventures! Hello! travelling by road. It is one of the great wine making regions of the world – 75% of the country’s wine is produced here! Tip: If you are visiting Blenheim during the month of February, be sure to time your visit to coincide with the famous annual Marlborough Wine and Food Festival! See the road map from Nelson to Kaikoura to Christchurch. You can either keep driving towards Nelson Lakes National Park and head north that way, or divert to Kaikoura and up the east coast if you haven’t been there before. Nelson Tasman Queenstown Southland Waitaki Wanaka West Coast Other Islands Other Islands Other Islands ... Kaikoura, Canterbury , Christchurch - Canterbury By Miles Holden Kaikōura is a base for wildlife experiences of all kinds – it’s also a great place to eat crayfish (in the Māori language 'kai' means food, 'kōura' means crayfish). Check out St Arnaud accommodation options on booking.com >, Drive timeNelson > Kaiteriteri: 45 minutes, Take a short drive to the seaside town of Kaiteriteri, which is one of the gateways to Abel Tasman National Park. 2 0 0. We recommend spending your second day in Nelson exploring some of the amazing day trip options that are just a short drive from town: Drive timeNelson > St. Arnaud (Nelson Lakes): 1 hour, Take a short drive from Nelson to Nelson Lakes National Park to admire the beautiful alpine lakes of Rotoroa and Rotoiti and enjoy some excellent walking trails. 01 Feb 2018. Nelson to Nelson. CAMPERVAN SITE – Kaikoura TOP 10 Holiday ParkHoliday Park with mix of apartments, motel rooms and campsites. We landed in Christchurch at 1am and were glad to … Jon Algie. Read More... Sign up and receive our latest travel tips via email. We had planned to load our last blog whilst waiting for our flight at Brisbane airport. Continue onwards with your Christchurch to Nelson round road trip and head to the small alpine town of Hanmer Springs for an afternoon of adventure or just pure relaxation! The lake is perfect for swimming during the summer months and there is a beach and jetty right by the carpark. Here you can watch fur seals lazing around on the rocks, and is a great spot to head over at sunset. BUDGET HOSTEL – YHA Kakapo LodgeHighly rated hostel with private rooms and dorms, large communal kitchen, comfy TV lounge, outdoor deck, garden and BBQ area. BUDGET HOSTEL – Dolphin LodgeAffordable private rooms and dorms in a central location, with views of the coastline and the mountain ranges, plus garden, deck and hot tub. Let us know in the comments or by sharing it on social media. Maruia FallsA 10 minute return walk from the car park takes you to an excellent viewpoint of a waterfall that was created following the 1929 Murchison earthquake. Find all the transport options for your trip from Kaikoura TOP 10 Holiday Park to Christchurch right here. If wine really isn’t your thing then we would recommend you skip the visit to Blenheim and head straight the next stop, Picton. 8-14 days. More expensive rooms have outdoor terrace and sea views. Nelson to Christchurch: a Round Trip Journey. Alternatively have dinner at the Monteith’s Brewery Bar or at one of the restaurants in town serving Asian or European cuisine. WOW museumNelson is the birthplace of New Zealand’s most eccentric fashion show – the annual World of WearableArt Awards. There are some accommodation options in St. Arnaud if you decide you would rather not drive back to Nelson (St. Arnaud is on the way to the next stop Hanmer Springs). There is a large success rate in seeing these magnificent creatures, and the boat cruises have some stunning coastal alpine scenery. Alternatively, KiwiRail operates a train from Christchurch to Kaikoura once daily, and the journey takes 3h 13m. Road users plan ahead for their journeys. Search for a bus from Christchurch to Kaikoura with New Zealand's most popular national bus network. 200 helpful votes. Kaikoura . Explore Christchurch City before traveling north to the popular seaside town of Kaikoura … It will take you just over 3 hours to reach Kaikoura from Nelson, so you have plenty of time to make a day trip of it and take some excursions along the way.