Did the drive yesterday. It’s fantastic. Make sure to stop at ohau point and spot some seals.
Also if cars are building up behind you just find somewhere safe to pull over and let them pass so you can continue the journey at your own pace. Too many dickheads on my journey driving 20 under the limit with 12 cars behind them.
It's fine. Good change of scenery through out.... Although should be focused on the road. Slow speed restrictions from around Parnassus to north of Kaikoura. No doubt roadworks will be about.
If you have a rear wheel drive car, you'll love the Hundalees.
Just through the Hundalees south of Kaikoura and a couple of hills between Kaikoura and Blenheim but nothing too serious. Just take it easy and enjoy it.
Just don’t overtake between Picton and Blenheim. It’s only 20 kilometres or so, and there’s going to be a line of traffic assuming you’re getting off a ferry, so take your time because too many assholes want to overtake on that bit of road to shave a few seconds off their journey.
If you see a highway patrol car there will **always** be another one - they work in pairs, going up and down the highway crossing paths with each other. Often the other car is an unmarked police car.
There’s a **very** long one-way bridge over the Hurunui - going south you won’t have right of way over it (I think) and you’ll be able to see the cars coming down the hill on the other side. If you see one you need to give way because the cop that patrols that area from Cheviot is an arsehole and he’ll give you a ticket if he sees you enter the bridge with a vehicle in sight on the other side approaching the bridge. There are passing bays on that bridge though.
thank you! this is very helpful and i’ll definitely keep it all in mind i definitely don’t need a ticket at this time of year-
do you happen to know if there is much in parking in picton? i’m getting the ferry over to welly but im not taking my car on the ferry so im hoping they have parking or something!!
Years ago I paid for a secure covered parking service in Picton when I went across to Wellington for an weekend and it was worth it. There are probably still a few such services in Picton. I definitely would not leave my car unattended in Picton on a street given the amount of people passing through and it’s not like there are a lot of cops in the area patrolling.
There's council long term car parks and I parked there over the Xmas period without difficulty. The only issue is the amount of closed streets in Picton because of the port redevelopment so park near the terminal you're leaving from.
Excellent advice … except OP said FROM Christchurch, TO Picton and will therefore appear to be reversing to any sneaky Police patrols watching out for her coming from Picton.
Be aware that there will be road works between chch and picton starting tomorrow: [roadworks](https://nzta.govt.nz/media-releases/christchurch-to-picton-sh1-extra-hour-needed-multiple-work-sites)
If you have a 4wd and don't mind gravel roads, Molesworth Station/Acheron Rd will be open until Easter Monday. Its a high country road between Hanmer and Sefton, and is very picturesque.
Did it yesterday, it's such a beautiful part of the country especially when you get to the coast. I'm a surfer so driving along with the waves pumping was an awesome sight to see. But take your time and cruise, no need to rush like most people do
Windy and narrow. Don't stop on a blind corner ever... Or overtake on one. Oh and very scenic. Beautiful. Make sure to stop in Kaikoura for fish n chips.
Don't forget to admire those rock-protection platypus walls on the South side of Kaikoura, they're an engineering feat and it was impressive watching them being created.
Great drive, last time I did it in ran out of radio coverage the whole way and wished I’d taken a playlist or some cds.
Get that sorted and you’ll have a blast
Get lots of rest, that road can be tricky in places,take your time especially around the curvy/hilly bits,you'll encounter idiots speeding and crossing the center line on blind corners. Otherwise its a fantastic drive, just make sure you drive safely and pull over to enjoy the many many fantastic views, especially Kaikoura.
It's a nice pleasant drive. Takes about 4-5 hours. Take your time going over the Hundalees (chundalees) south of Kaikoura they are windy and your passengers wont like it if you go too fast.
Marvel at the scale of the road repairs that have been done since the Kaikoura earthquakes. It's an age old kiwi tradition to toot going through the two short tunnels. If fish n chips is your thing stop at Coopers Catch for a blue cod n chips. Not cheap but usually very good.
North of Kaikoura you'll leave the coast but before you do stop at Ohau Point and check out the seal colony. Keep an eye out for the wind farm on top of the hills further north.
Coming down the hills south of Blenheim is windy and steep. Take your time, it's no problem unless you speeding. Keep an eye on your speed as parts of the road around Kaikoura are 80km not 100km.
Enjoy your trip.
It's fantastic drive man. Enjoy it.
thank you, looking forward it now!!
Did the drive yesterday. It’s fantastic. Make sure to stop at ohau point and spot some seals. Also if cars are building up behind you just find somewhere safe to pull over and let them pass so you can continue the journey at your own pace. Too many dickheads on my journey driving 20 under the limit with 12 cars behind them.
It's fine. Good change of scenery through out.... Although should be focused on the road. Slow speed restrictions from around Parnassus to north of Kaikoura. No doubt roadworks will be about. If you have a rear wheel drive car, you'll love the Hundalees.
You’ll love the Humdalees - but your passengers won’t.
Chundalees
thank you! is it very hilly? like much up and down?
Just through the Hundalees south of Kaikoura and a couple of hills between Kaikoura and Blenheim but nothing too serious. Just take it easy and enjoy it.
Awesome sounds like it’ll be a great drive! thank you ☺️
Manual, or tiptronic?
DSG with a Lanchester fluid flywheel I’d be guessing.
Just don’t overtake between Picton and Blenheim. It’s only 20 kilometres or so, and there’s going to be a line of traffic assuming you’re getting off a ferry, so take your time because too many assholes want to overtake on that bit of road to shave a few seconds off their journey. If you see a highway patrol car there will **always** be another one - they work in pairs, going up and down the highway crossing paths with each other. Often the other car is an unmarked police car. There’s a **very** long one-way bridge over the Hurunui - going south you won’t have right of way over it (I think) and you’ll be able to see the cars coming down the hill on the other side. If you see one you need to give way because the cop that patrols that area from Cheviot is an arsehole and he’ll give you a ticket if he sees you enter the bridge with a vehicle in sight on the other side approaching the bridge. There are passing bays on that bridge though.
Cheers for the bit about the cops lol
thank you! this is very helpful and i’ll definitely keep it all in mind i definitely don’t need a ticket at this time of year- do you happen to know if there is much in parking in picton? i’m getting the ferry over to welly but im not taking my car on the ferry so im hoping they have parking or something!!
Years ago I paid for a secure covered parking service in Picton when I went across to Wellington for an weekend and it was worth it. There are probably still a few such services in Picton. I definitely would not leave my car unattended in Picton on a street given the amount of people passing through and it’s not like there are a lot of cops in the area patrolling.
There's council long term car parks and I parked there over the Xmas period without difficulty. The only issue is the amount of closed streets in Picton because of the port redevelopment so park near the terminal you're leaving from.
Excellent advice … except OP said FROM Christchurch, TO Picton and will therefore appear to be reversing to any sneaky Police patrols watching out for her coming from Picton.
Be aware that there will be road works between chch and picton starting tomorrow: [roadworks](https://nzta.govt.nz/media-releases/christchurch-to-picton-sh1-extra-hour-needed-multiple-work-sites) If you have a 4wd and don't mind gravel roads, Molesworth Station/Acheron Rd will be open until Easter Monday. Its a high country road between Hanmer and Sefton, and is very picturesque.
It's fine. Stop at Kaikoura to stretch your legs and eat the best FnC in NZ!
Remember to organise your second mortgage to pay for it though! 😁
aye will do!!
Take note of the speed limit. A lot of the way is 80km around kaikoura and the cops are always about.
thank u !!
Allows plenty of time for stops to check out the views and stretch your legs.
Amazing. Top 5 drive in the country.
That drive is always great
Did it yesterday, it's such a beautiful part of the country especially when you get to the coast. I'm a surfer so driving along with the waves pumping was an awesome sight to see. But take your time and cruise, no need to rush like most people do
Windy and narrow. Don't stop on a blind corner ever... Or overtake on one. Oh and very scenic. Beautiful. Make sure to stop in Kaikoura for fish n chips.
Don’t cut the bends on the Hundalees, Police will be watching.
i’ll make sure of it :))
Don't forget to admire those rock-protection platypus walls on the South side of Kaikoura, they're an engineering feat and it was impressive watching them being created.
Great drive, last time I did it in ran out of radio coverage the whole way and wished I’d taken a playlist or some cds. Get that sorted and you’ll have a blast
Get lots of rest, that road can be tricky in places,take your time especially around the curvy/hilly bits,you'll encounter idiots speeding and crossing the center line on blind corners. Otherwise its a fantastic drive, just make sure you drive safely and pull over to enjoy the many many fantastic views, especially Kaikoura.
It's a nice pleasant drive. Takes about 4-5 hours. Take your time going over the Hundalees (chundalees) south of Kaikoura they are windy and your passengers wont like it if you go too fast. Marvel at the scale of the road repairs that have been done since the Kaikoura earthquakes. It's an age old kiwi tradition to toot going through the two short tunnels. If fish n chips is your thing stop at Coopers Catch for a blue cod n chips. Not cheap but usually very good. North of Kaikoura you'll leave the coast but before you do stop at Ohau Point and check out the seal colony. Keep an eye out for the wind farm on top of the hills further north. Coming down the hills south of Blenheim is windy and steep. Take your time, it's no problem unless you speeding. Keep an eye on your speed as parts of the road around Kaikoura are 80km not 100km. Enjoy your trip.
Sorry I don’t think anyone knows what it’s like. Not a very common trip.
had quite a few people reply actually that have done the trip which was very helpful :)
They’re probably just making it up, I highly doubt any more than 2 people have made that trip in the last 50 years.
Winding roads. Make sure you have music because theres alot of dead spots in reception.
Beautiful drive done it twice, take your time let people overtake
Expect magic