Driving Route : Christchurch - Milford Sound - Christchurch

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Day 1: Christchurch to Oamaru

Travel time is approximate only, based on an average driving speed under normal road conditions.

	Travel Time	Km	(Miles)
Christchurch - Ashburton	1.25 hrs	89	56
Ashburton - Timaru	1 hr	77	48
Timaru - Oamaru	1 hr	80	50
Totals for Day	3.25 hrs	246	154

Christchurch - Ashburton

89 km (56 miles)
Approximately 1.25 hours
Road Conditions: Motorway/State Highway

The South Island's largest city, Christchurch is an entertaining mixture of refined lifestyle and cultural excitement. The tranquil Avon River meanders through the city and adjacent Hagley Park, historic buildings house a lively arts community and restored trams make it easy for visitors to get around. Visit heritage sites, museums and art galleries, and enjoy the highly developed restaurant scene.

The route to Christchurch is about as straight and flat as roads get in New Zealand. On a clear day, the Southern Alps provide outstanding scenery. The town of Rakaia sits on the southern side of the Rakaia River, and it's 'the salmon capital of New Zealand'. The Rakaia bridge spans 1.8 kilometres of one of the world's best examples of a 'braided' river system.

Ashburton, which sits between the Rakaia and Rangitata rivers, is a large town that serves the local rural community. It has about six museums and some excellent craft galleries. Trout fishing is the local obsession, and the skifields of Mt Hutt are an easy drive away.

Ashburton - Timaru

77 km (48 miles)
Approximately 1 hour
Road Conditions: State Highway

Ashburton is a large town that serves the local rural community. It sits between the Rakaia and Rangitata rivers, so fly fishing is the local obsession. Ashburton also has about six museums and some excellent craft galleries. The skifields of Mt Hutt are an easy drive from here.

Your trip south is straight and flat. It's worth taking the loop road to Geraldine to visit the gourmet cheese factory and vintage car museum. Rafting in the Rangitata Gorge is another possibility. Just before Timaru you'll drive into Temuka, a town that produces high quality pottery—look for the factory shop if you'd like a useful souvenir.

Timaru is a small but beautifully formed city. The historic walk will introduce you to many of the heritage buildings. Enjoy the boutique brewery, botanic gardens and the park at Caroline Bay, which has an aviary and a maze. Timaru also has the third largest public art gallery in the South Island and an excellent museum—the Richard Pearse (kiwi pioneer aviator) exhibit is particularly good.

Timaru - Oamaru

80 km (50 miles)
Approximately 1 hour
Road Conditions: State Highway

Timaru is a small but beautifully formed city. The historic walk will introduce you to many of the old buildings. Enjoy the boutique brewery, botanic gardens and the park at Caroline Bay, which has an aviary and a maze. Timaru also has the third largest public art gallery in the South Island and an excellent museum.

River crossings are a feature of the journey south. If you enjoy fly fishing, you could make this trip last a long time. Just beyond the town of Hook, take a detour to Waimate to see the museum and an original thatched cottage—it was made from a single tree. In summer the Waimate District is overflowing with delicious berry fruits.

The town of Oamaru has a population of around 12,000 and an impressive heritage. Many of the elegant historic buildings were made from the local sandstone. Visit the Harbour-Tyne area—the best-preserved collection of historic commercial buildings in New Zealand. You should also check out the penguin colony, the museum and the pretty public gardens.