Driving Route : Edoras Itinerary

Overview
Day 1 : Christchurch to Methven
Day 2 : Methven to Christchurch

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Day 1 : Christchurch to Methven

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 - Methven	0.5 hr	46	29
Totals for Day	1.75 hrs	135	84

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 - Methven

46 km (29 miles)
Approximately 0.5 hour
Road Conditions: State Highway

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. Fly fishing for salmon and trout is the local obsession.

Point your car towards the Southern Alps and you'll be in Methven in about half an hour. The chequerboard fields of the Canterbury Plains provide soothing scenery all the way.

The village of Methven is a mecca for those who love outdoor sports and adventure. Nearby Mt Hutt provides excellent skiing for around six months of the year and the Rakaia Gorge is a venue for jet boating.

Golf, forest walking, mountain biking and hot air ballooning are some of the other things you can do in the area. Expect to find a wide variety of eating establishments in Methven, or head up Mt Hutt to eat in Australasia's highest dining establishment.