Nau mai haere mai ki te Tauihu me Waitaha, Marlborough to Canterbury
Set off on a three day road trip along the east coast of the South Island. It is an incredible sight to behold with expansive vineyards, stunning coastline, and plenty of historical landmarks. There is still much to offer on this classic New Zealand roadie.
Itinerary Details
Time: 3 days
Distance: 397 km
Start: Picton
Finish: Lyttleton
Day One - Marlborough
Waitohi, Picton - 'The Heart of the Sounds' is a unique town at the top of the South Island, being the main connection between the two islands. By arriving by ferry over the Cook Strait, you gain an immediate impression of the rugged yet stunning landscape the southern island has to offer.
Hit the main streets and harbour and you will be introduced to lovely pine trees and rows of sailing boats, alongside a hub of local cafes and stores fond of both locals and tourists.
Make a start to your heritage travel by stepping back in time through the local museums. One being the Edwin Fox sailboat - one of the oldest surviving merchant ships in the world. Or have a peek in the Picton Heritage and Whaling Museum.
Take a 30 minute drive down south and you arrive at Blenheim, where you can stay the night surrounded by incredible landscape and vineyards. On the way down, make a quick 15 minute detour to check out Pukatea Whites Bay. Here you can explore the beach and campsite, along with the historic Cable Station. There is also the option to stay here for the night in the tent and go kayaking or swimming on the surf beach during the day.
Once reaching Blenheim, you can visit a local winery for lunch or dinner, and if you catch the town in February you can also attend the popular Wine and Food Festival. You can also visit one of the town's popular museums, such as the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre; one of the largest private collections of aircrafts from the world wars.
Day Two - The East Coast
Day two starts with a two-hour drive down the east coast, where you can stop off for brunch at The Store at Kekerengu Bay and take in the black sands of the beach. Along the way further down south, make sure to say hi to the seals at Ohau Point.
You will then arrive at the lovely Kaikōura, a coastal town that shows off both the unique Canterbury landscape and the beauty of the sea. Make sure to stop off at the museum and local cafes, as well as do a little mission out along the peninsula.
Following along the peninsula road out of town, you will stumble upon Fyffe House. This historic house gets its pink exterior by being originally painted with a mix of whale oil with a white and red antifouling used by Kaikōura’s early cetacean hunters. The place tells a rich story connected to the town and the whaling business it had built.
You can then drive further along the peninsula to Point Kean for a sighting of fur seals among the rocks. On the way there or back, make sure to stop off at Nin’s Bin - an iconic crayfish caravan that’s been a popular local on the Kaikōura coast since the 1970s.
Day Three - Canterbury
Day three sees a two-and-a-half-hour drive into the heart of the Canterbury region. You will arrive into Ōtautahi Christchurch, the landmark city of Canterbury that has been reinvigorated since the 2010-2011 earthquakes. Make a stop at the city centre and check out the Riverside Market, as well as take a stroll through the beautiful Botanical Gardens.
Te Whare Waiutuutu Kate Sheppard House
Towards the west of Christchurch sits the iconic Kate Sheppard House, the HQ of the suffragist movement between 1888 and 1902 and now open to the public. Step into the history of the icon through its museum and have a browse of the surrounding gardens and tennis court.
Lyttelton Timeball
You will finish the trip with a 30 minute drive to the lovely port harbour of Whakaraupō Lyttelton. Here you can check out the Timeball alongside some amazing views of the Diamond Harbour. If you get there earlier in the day, you can catch the timeball dropping at 1pm - a ritual that was enacted every day from 1876 to 1934. Make sure to stop for dinner at London Street.
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