Hi

My husband and I will be flying in to Christchurch on Feb 22 and flying out of same on Feb 26. This is a riduculously short time I know, but it is all we have.

Generally, we love to visit both the urban and rural areas of a region, to eat wonderful local food, stay away from touristy options and learn about the culture. I particularly want to see as much of the famed beauty of NZ as I can in my short visit. We can rent a car if that makes sense.

I would love recommendations as to how and where to spend those few days. Lodging and restaurant recommendations as well.

Thanks!

With so few days, I'd suggest you stay in Christchurch where you can explore the city AND make some day trips. Renting a car is the way to go IMO, even for such a short visit, as it will allow the most flexibility.

From Christchurch you can easily:

1) Visit the port town of Lyttelton (historic buildings, lots of cafes and some incredible views along the way - drive via the Port Hills)

2) Visit Akaroa (first French settlement in NZ and a beatufiul area - Banks Peninsula). Here you can take a harbor cruise to see the dolphins, arrange penguin viewing at the Pohatu (sp) Marine Reserve, visit the winerey and cheese shop, take some nice walks, etc) NOTE: Banks Peninsula is a beautiful and unique area IMO

3) Visit the Waipara wine region - 40 minutes north of Christchurch.

4) Drive over a portion of Arthur's Pass or take the Tranzapline train from CHC to Greymouth (full day - round trip)

5)Drive to Hanmer Springs (thermal pools - 90 minutes each way)

6) Visit Kaikoura (whale watching and nice coastal views - about 2 hours each way)

7) Plenty to do right in CHC as well - such as taking the gondola to the top of Mt Cavendish for some nice views, visiting a wildlife reserve, the brewery, the Antarctic Centre, canoe, paddle or punt down the Avon River, museums, art galleries, Cathedral Square, etc.

We last stayed at a motel called De Lago, on Papanui Road - nice rooms, well located, but a bit noisy as on a major street.

www.delagomotel.co.nz/

For our upcoming visit in March, we've booked at the Salerno Motel, as it looks to be a bit quieter:

www.salernomotel.co.nz/

If you like Indian food, be sure to check out Little India - two or three locations in CHC.

I agree with Melnq8...4 days is sooo short. By staying in Christchurch, you can branch out each day with a rental car, like part of the Arthurs Pass National Park, and Kaikoura.
Even the "scenic highway" ( I think its numbered 72 or 73)is a nice drive and it detours around Christchurch out in the rural countryside.
Might I suggest a nice circular drive, to start & finish at Christchurch. Firstly leave Christchurch & take the scenic highway I mentioned abovel, then the Inland road below the Seaward Kaikoura Range, then onto Kairkoura and back to Christchurch on the coastal highway (lots of nice wineries in the Waipara region), and I recommend stopping at Cheviot, at the old Railway Station Cafe (on the side of the highway) lovely gardens, and great food & coffee (we had breakfast here & loved it)

Your responses are a dream come true! Thank you. Those suggestions are exactly what I was looking for.

If anything else comes to mind, let me know.

Yes, the visit is short; but it is better than no visit at all!

You might want to consider taking the TranzAlpine (http://www.tranzscenic.co.nz/services/tranzalpine.aspx) up to Arthur's Pass and getting off there. The train continues on to Greymouth, then turns around to come back, leaving you with a few hours to walk around and have lunch; before boarding for the return to CChurch.

I concur with a trip to Kaikoura and highly recommend swimming with the dolphins there-- amazing!

Here's our iteneray:

Arrive in Christchurch early on Day 1. Explore Akaroa &/or Lyttleton for the day. Night in Christchurch

Day 2 Drive to Arthur's Pass and spend night.

Day 3 Drive back toward CHC and then swing up to Waipara (but not all the way to Kaikora) and spend the night

Day 4 Explore Waipara and then head back to CHC for the night.

Day 5 super early flight out to Sydney.

I welcome any suggestions for
1) car rental
2) lodgings
3) restaurants.

So far I am thinking of Salerno's Motel in CHC. Wilderness Lodge in AP and The Claremont in Waipara.

Any further thoughts and ideas are welcome. The suggestions so far have been very helpful.

Thanks
sandra

Hi Sandra -

Just a few thoughts...

Will you be arriving in Christchurch after a long international trip? If so, you may not be up to hitting the road immediately.

You might want to stay overnight in Akaroa instead of heading back to Christchurch that first night. That would enable to you see the penguins at dusk, but it would also increase your drive time to Arthur's Pass the next day.

I'd suggested Waipara as a day trip from Christchurch - not sure it'd be a place I'd choose to spend the night. Not a huge amount up there other than wineries and not all are open to the public. Pretty area though. Pegasus Bay Winery is a great stop and they serve meals.

As previously mentioned, Little India is an excellent restaurant in Christchurch. We also liked L’Hotel and Dooberry's in Akaroa and Hotel Douvauchelle in Douvauchelle (on the way to Akaroa). We also had a good lunch at Freeman's in Lyttelton.


You might want to visit Barry's Bay Cheese and the French Farm Winery in Akaroa. Strongly suggest you take the Tourist Summit Road which winds along the upper rim of Banks Peninsula - great views.

You really can't go wrong, no matter what you decide. Have a great trip!