My partner and I are in the final stages of planning our 3 week trip to NZ in February but I would appreciate some help regarding accommodation in Christchurch please. We drop off our hire car in Greymouth and are planning to take the Tranzalpine train to Christchurch - can anyone recommend a fairly central hotel/motel/B&B for around $NZ150 or less per room? We would also like to do the whale watch tour in Kaikoura. As we won't have the hire car anymore, can anyone suggest the best way to get up to Kaikoura?

Since no one has replied yet... The Train Station is not in the center of town, it is west of Hagley Park. I assume you can get a taxi. I like staying at the Windsor Hotel, which is on Armagh. It is central to the Botanic Gardens and Museum, and on the tourist tram route. It has shared shower facilities, but plenty of them, and they are clean. There are several transport options to Kaikoura, and probably a shuttle would work out best. or you can probably book a package tour. Check with the Info Center near the Cathedral in Central Christchurch, they have all the brochures and can book for you. Your hotel may be able to also.

Thanks for your reply mlgb. I had assumed that the station was fairly central. Just taken a look at the Windsor Hotel website - it mentions that a shuttle operates from the rail terminal for only $5.

You're welcome. The staff at Windsor has been there forever and should also be able to advise you for Kaikoura.

I second the Windsor hotel, wonderful place