Kaikōura Coast

Christchurch to Picton via the Kaikōura coast, seals, whales and crayfish.

Distance
330 km
Driving
5 hours
Take
2 days
Route
Christchurch to Picton
Plan this trip for your car

SH1 follows the coast to Kaikōura, 180 km north of Christchurch, known for whale watching and seals, then inland to Picton. The 2016 earthquake closed it until December 2017.

The stops

  1. Start

    Christchurch

  2. Town

    Kaikōura

    Whale watching and crayfish

  3. Nature

    Ōhau Point

    Seal colony

  4. Town

    Blenheim

    Wine region

  5. Town

    Picton

    Ferry terminal

  6. Finish

    Picton

Where to stay

  • Night 1

    Kaikōura

    Kaikōura Top 10

When to go
Year round
On the road
Slips can close the coast road.

Take the trip with you

Roadtrip finds the cheapest fuel on the way, warns you about tolls and cameras, and splits the cost with everyone in the car.

Plan a trip on the web
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The Roadtrip app showing a drive into London that costs £4.81 each, with fuel prices along the way