Kaikoura Coast SH1 — Christchurch to Picton PacificDrive.
Distance
340 km
Duration
1 day
Climb
1,500 m
Kaikoura Coast SH1 — Christchurch to Picton Pacific Drive.
State Highway 1 north of Christchurch is one of New Zealands great coastal rides. From the Canterbury Plains the road climbs the Hundalee Hills, drops to a wild Pacific shore at Goose Bay, threads between mountain and ocean to Kaikoura (famous for crayfish, whales, and seal colonies), then continues north past the post-quake coastal cliffs to the Marlborough wine country and the Picton ferry terminal.
Quick facts
SurfacePaved
Distance340 km
Days1
Total climb1,500 m
DifficultyModerate
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The route.
ChristchurchStart · Start in central Christchurch. Head north on SH1 — full fuel recommended; long stretches with no stations.
Hundalee HillsScenic Point · Rolling hill country crossing — gateway to the open coast. Tight bends.
Goose BayScenic Point · First open view of the Pacific. Wild surf on rocky shore. Pullouts for photos.
Kaikoura townshipRestaurant · Famous for crayfish (koura) and whale watching. The Cods & Crayfish caravan on the Esplanade is iconic.
Ohau Point Seal ColonyPhoto Spot · New Zealand fur seal colony on the rocks below the highway. Pups frolic in the freshwater stream in spring.
Clarence River MouthScenic Point · The river meets the sea where the road bends inland from the post-quake coastal terraces.
Ward BeachScenic Point · Vast empty beach with strange spherical concretion boulders. Quiet detour east of SH1.
PictonEnd · End at the Picton ferry terminal — gateway to the North Island via the Cook Strait crossing.
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