Relax in hot pools in the mountains, head to the ocean for some whale watching. Add some wine tastings and you’ve got yourself a very kiwi road trip. 

On this 7 nights, 8 days road trip, you’ll drive from Christchurch to Hanmer Springs, to Kaikōura, to Waipara and back to Christchurch. The distances are short and sweet. You’re going at a very relaxed pace to make sure you have enough time to explore the regions but not too long so you’d get bored. A perfect holiday itinerary if you ask me. 

You can do this short road trip from Christchurch as a 1-week holiday or make it part of a longer New Zealand itinerary. 

Let’s dive in!

Road trip itinerary summary

Day 1: Explore Christchurch city
Day 2: Mini-roadie around Christchurch
Day 3: Christchurch - Hanmer Springs
Day 4: Day in Hanmer Spings
Day 5: Hanmer Springs - Kaikōura
Day 6: Day in Kaikōura
Day 7: Kaikōura - Waipara
Day 8: Waipara - Christchurch

Day 1: Explore Christchurch city

Arrive in Christchurch at any time of the day. I like to take an early morning flight from Auckland to make the most of my day but you do you. Sometimes, mid-day flights are a lot cheaper. 

After checking into your city hotel, head out to explore Christchurch. You can easily do so on foot as everything is within walking distance. Or if you prefer to get around on wheels, buy yourself a ticket for the historic hop-on/hop-off Christchurch tram that circulates the city and all major sights. 

Stop for pre-dinner drinks at The Last Word, a cocktail and whiskey bar in New Regent street before heading for dinner. 

Read more:
Things to do in Christchurch city

Day 2: Mini-roadie around Christchurch

Pick up your rental car today and embark on a mini-roadie around Christchurch. Explore the Port Hills, the massive outdoor nature playground right outside the city. Go ziplinig high above Christchurch before driving on to Lyttelton for lunch and then on to Sumner Beach for a swim or surf. A cold beer or milkshake can be found at Beach Sumner, a restaurant and pub directly on the beach!

The entire mini-roadie is only 43km | 27mi long and would take you just over an hour non-stop but it’s a great route to make a day of it.

Click here to read more about this mini-roadie and other places to visit around Christchurch

Day 3: Drive from Christchurch to Hanmer Springs (133km | 83mi, 2 hours)

Driving from Christchurch to Hamner Springs is fairly quick and easy. You cruise mainly through farmland and vineyards, over and along some very scenic rivers until you arrive in Hanmer Springs.

Hanmer Springs is best known for its hot pools. It’s been one of the most popular South Island hot pools for decades, and the main reason to visit Hanmer is to bathe. 

Spend your afternoon soaking in the hot thermal water and relax in six different types of pools. For even more relaxation, book yourself in for a massage treatment or a facial.

Or if you’re more into the thrills, hit the hydro slides (water slides). Hanmer Springs hot pools offers the whole package. 

Day 4: Explore Hanmer Springs

After a relaxing day, it’s time to be more active again today. Hanmer not only has hot pools but the town also boasts thrills. Treat yourself to a jet boat ride on the Waiau River or take the family rafting on the gentle Grade 2 rapids. 

A great way to spend the day on the Waiau River is on a canoe trip. First, you paddle your very own inflatable canoes (or mini rafts) down the river to the spot where you’ll have lunch. After lunch, the jet boat picks you up and brings you back to the base. 

If you prefer land-based adventures, there are lots of easy and short walks in Hanmer Forest. Or how about a quad biking or off-road buggy tour?

Day 5: Drive from Hanmer Springs to Kaikōura via Mt Lyford (130km | 80mi, 2 hours)

A sleepy village with a ski field in winter, Mt Lyford Village tends to be hibernating in summer. Although, over the past years, there’s been a slight increase in summer activities, making Mt Lyford a great destination if you’re looking for off-the-beaten-path adventures.

For everyone else driving from Hanmer Springs to Kaikōura, you’re taking the scenic road via Mt Lyford to Kaikōura. 

Visit one of the many seal colonies in Kaikōura. It’s not hard finding the fur seals basking in the sun as they’re literally everywhere. A big colony can be found on the Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway. Some websites you can find also suggest going to see them at Ohau Stream (closer to the road) but this walk is closed since the earthquakes in 2016. 

Day 6: Explore Kaikōura and go whale watching

You visit Kaikōura, chances are you’re there for the whale watchint. Kaikōura has some of the best whalewatching in New Zealand thanks to the unique coastal conditions. The 3000m | 10000ft deep (!!!) Kaikōura Canyon runs right along the coast, resulting in a rare current that is rich in fish. The whales (mainly Sperm Whales) love a good buffet and thus decided to make the Kaikōura Coast their home. 

During a whale watching tour, you can come up close and personal with the whales. There’s several options on how to see them, depending how close you’re ready to get.

The classical whale watching tour is from a boat. The tours take you out to where the whales are, plus along the way, you’re likely to also see dolphins playing in the water and seals basking in the sun. 

If you’re wanting to come really close to the sea mammals, you’ll just have to book either a wildlife kayaking tour or dolphin swim tour. 

For those wanting to do a more luxurious version of whale watching, you can do so from high up in the air by helicopter! See the Sperm Whales head to toe and massive schools of Dusky Dolphins in a way that would never be possible from the ground. If you’ve ever wondered whether to book a scenic flight, Kaikōura is probably one of the best places you’ll ever do a scenic flight! 

No matter which option you choose to see the whales and dolphins, you will go home with the most precious memories!

Day 7: Drive from Kaikōura to Waipara (123km | 76mi, 1.5 hours)

Day 7 of your Christchurch - Hanmer - Kaikōura loop itinerary brings you a little closer to Christchurch again. The short drive takes you from Kaikōura to Waipara, only about 1.5 hours south of Kaikōura.

The first part of the drive takes you right along the coast and if you decided to drive the loop in the order we suggested, you’ll see that there is just a small strip of beach between you and the ocean. 

Waipara is a small wine-growing region, just about an hour north of Christchurch. If you’re in a hurry, you can stop here for a lunch break with wine and head on towards Christchurch. But if you’re keen on a bit of wine tasting, we suggest you better stay for a night instead of drink-driving (drinking and driving is never a good idea). Visit the Waipara cellar doors and stay in one of the small, boutique-style accommodations for the night, like at the Greystone PurePod, a luxury glass cabin.

Day 8: Drive from Waipara back to Christchurch (60km | 37mi, 1 hour)

Today is the last day of your 7-day itinerary from Christchurch. After a short drive, you arrive back in Christchurch. Either continue your road trip towards Methven and/or Tekapo (and onwards to Queenstown), or it’s the end of your holiday and time to drop off your car and head home. 

Did you drive this itinerary during one of your trips? How did you enjoy it? Please let us know in the comments!

How to book your 7-nights itinerary from Christchurch to Hanmer Springs, Kaikōura and Waipara

You can easily book your accommodation via booking.com or book with the hotels directly. Tours can be booked through Get Your Guide or directly. Check out our NZ travel deals to see if you can score a discount for any of your chosen activities.

If you’re not keen on organising things yourself or simply don’t have the time, I can help you (Alex, that is)! 

With over two decades of working in tourism, I know how to create a travel itinerary that is perfect for you! Message me for more information or have a look here.

Also, head over to our sister website Weekend Getaways NZ to find pre-packaged and themed short getaways around New Zealand.