Driving Route: Queenstown - Wellington - Auckland. Day 3: Christchurch - Kaikoura. Driving directions for your self-drive holiday in New Zealand, guiding you from Christchurch to Kaikoura. Detour from Cheviot to Gore Bay to see the fascinating cliff formations. Kaikoura is a base for wildlife experiences of all kinds including whale watching. It is also a great place to eat crayfish.
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Driving Route : Queenstown - Wellington - Auckland

Day 3 : Christchurch to Kaikoura

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Route Summary

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

  Travel time Km (Miles)
Christchurch - Kaikoura 2.25 hrs 184 115
Totals for Day 2.25 hrs 184 115

Christchurch - Kaikoura

Christchurch - Kaikoura

184 km (115 miles)
Approximately 2.25 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, historic buildings house a lively arts community and restored trams make it easy to get around. Visit heritage sites, museums and art galleries, and enjoy the highly developed restaurant scene.

The trip north takes you past the surf beaches of Woodend, Waikuku, Leithfield and Amberley. Waipara is known for its vineyards and olive groves—an excellent place to pause for refreshment.

From Cheviot you can detour to Gore Bay to see the fascinating cliff formations. The impressive scenery of the coastal ranges accompanies the rest of the way to Kaikoura.

Kaikoura is a base for wildlife experiences of all kinds—it's also a great place to eat crayfish. A whale watch tour can take you to see Minke, Humpback and Southern Right whales mixing it with dolphins and orcas. You can also walk to see fur seal colonies and spy on big seabirds such as mollymawks, albatross and petrels.

View more Queenstown driving routes.

Directory Information

Christchurch:
Accommodation, Attractions and Activities, Tours, Transport, Visitor Information

Kaikoura, Canterbury:
Accommodation, Attractions and Activities, Tours, Visitor Information

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