8 Best Stops from Christchurch to Dunedin | New Zealand
The East Coast of New Zealand from Christchurch to Dunedin makes for a great road trip.
While I was in Aotearoa for two years over the pandemic, I travelled along parts of this stretch several times as my friends and I cruised all over the country for work and hikes.
Following my other road trip itineraries like this one from Dunedin to Invercargill via the Catlins, and a 5-day campervan adventure in the Northland, I thought, why not share my experiences travelling between Christchurch and Dunedin with other travellers and Working Holidaymakers?
Here are some stops to look out for as you travel along the East Coast of the South Island.
I travelled around New Zealand from 2020 to 2022 on a Working Holiday visa. This post contains affiliate links that cost nothing to you but support my blog! It may also be updated periodically. Cheers!
From Christchurch to Dunedin
The fastest way to travel between Christchurch and Dunedin is via State Highway 1. It takes 360 km or about 4.5 hours to drive from the largest city to the second largest city of the South Island.
If you were to make this journey via intercity, the trip would take about 6 hours with stops along the way. Intercity has a morning bus and an afternoon bus from Christchurch to Dunedin.
As I was at my first job as a plastic packer in Christchurch, I thought of travelling to Dunedin on one of the weekends. There used to be an evening schedule in 2020 that was perfect for me to work till 4.30 PM and then take that last bus to Dunedin on a Friday evening. But this schedule wasn’t popular and has since been removed.
Attempting the stops I mention below via the public bus requires at least two days – an overnight stop at Oamaru, and continuing the next leg to Dunedin the next day.
Doing it via your own set of wheels meant you could stop at whichever quirky spots you found and possibly do the whole stretch within a day.
Stops
My list is non-exhaustive. There are other minor stops along the way, but the very best that I have visited or had plans to go to are listed here.
1. Christchurch
Christchurch is likely the base for first-time travellers to the South Island of New Zealand.
It has an international airport and facilities fitting its status as the largest city in the South Island. This makes it a perfect place for travellers and working holidaymakers to find their accommodations, their transport, and sort out administrative matters.
What makes Christchurch preferable to me than to Auckland, is its countryside, non-busy city-like vibes. It’s also closer to beautiful mountains.
Christchurch is where I found my first job as a plastic packer, and two years later, my last and 14th job as a postal worker.
I have written a blog post on the activities you could do in Christchurch. Most of the places of interest are within walking distance. The least you should do is visit the museum and botanic gardens. Dedicate at least half a day to both items.
For those about to live in Christchurch, check out this post, for the best noms, grocery stores, and ideas for the weekends.
2. Rakaia & Ashburton
Be warned: State Highway 1 between Christchurch and Ashburton is straight, flat, long and…boring.
The stretch covers 87 km and takes about an hour with large paddocks on both sides, sometimes with foraging cows.
Since this area is filled with dairy farms and is on a major highway, expect huge trucks carrying everything from milk (Fonterra) to livestock (sheep) and your usuals (postal, groceries, petroleum). Some are not one truck but a truck pulling another massive extension.
Drive safe and be careful!
Rakaia
If you have at least two full days to spare for this road trip, consider skipping this boring route and head to the Rakaia Gorge Walkway instead.
There’s a high-value-low-effort three-hour trek by the milky blue Rakaia River.
While I have not been to the gorge, a friend stationed in Christchurch recently did that. His comments: you get everything beautiful here with a deep ravine, a dreamy coloured river and a forest.
I’m not a fried chicken fan, but several friends of mine are. A nondescript Mobil station in Rakaia on Highway 1 happened to sell one of the best fried chicken on the South Island.
Ashburton
Ashburton is a nice place for a stopover or lunch.
It has interesting boutiques and art galleries that easily whirl away an hour or two.
I used to live in Hinds, about 15 minutes from Ashburton, as a calf rearer for three months. Ashburton was where we had fancy lunches or bought our groceries.
3. Timaru
It takes another 76 km or about an hour from Ashburton to reach Timaru.
Apart from the delicious Taiwanese food I had at Naruwan in Timaru (sadly now closed), we toured the town’s visitor centre and some streets nearby.
Timaru is one of the two places to catch free sightings of the endemic little blue penguin aka kororā. The best place to see them is around Caroline Bay after sunset.
Make sure you keep your white lights away from these sensitive creatures!
4. Oamaru
Continue down south along Highway 1 to Oamaru. This stretch will take about 86 km or another hour.
If you’ve made it here from Christchurch, know that there are a lot more activities to do here in Oamaru than in all the other previous spots combined!
A night in Oamaru is needed to see everything this town has. Plus there’s no point heading to the next few spots after sunset. More about the accommodations below.
The first on your list has to be the Victorian Precinct. There are art galleries, boutiques, cafes and pies to visit and try. Don’t forget to check out the museum – Whitestone City! Time your visit right to coincide with the third week of November when the precinct travels back in time to celebrate its heritage.
As strange as it may seem, right next door to the Victorian Precinct is a futuristic art gallery featuring everything steampunk – the Steampunk HQ. To all steampunk lovers, Oamaru is the self-proclaimed steampunk capital of the world. The town held a 2016 Guinness World Record for having the largest gathering of steampunk.
Cheese-lovers! Yes, that’s me! Do not forget to sample some of New Zealand’s most popular artisanal cheese at Whitestone Cheese. Try their platter of soft and hard cheeses, and, if you are interested, why not pair this with their guided factory tour?
I mentioned catching your first sighting of blue penguins in Timaru. But if you have missed that, fret not. Catch them squawking around Friendly Bay after dusk. I had better luck spotting them in Oamaru than in Timaru.
5. Moeraki Boulders
Our next stop is 38 km or about half an hour from Oamaru.
Don’t tell me you have not heard of these round rock balls if you’ve been living in New Zealand for some time as a working holidaymaker. These rock balls are so famous!
The small fishing village of Moeraki is overshadowed by its famous strange rock formations.
Unlike the lonely but relatively round Split Apple Rock in Tasman Bay, there is not one but a platoon of round rocks lying on the beach.
As with the many caves and weird rock formations in New Zealand, including the pancake rocks, these rock balls are Mother Nature’s works of art. They took aeons to form – compressed, transported and eroded – for us to see. Pretty much like the Chocolate Hills of Bohol in the Philippines.
Time your visit to the twice-daily low tides to appreciate their full size.
6. Katiki Point
Our next spot isn’t far from Moeraki Boulders – a mere 7.7 km or just a 10-minute drive away.
Didn’t have enough sightings of blue penguins in Timaru and Oamaru? Well, rejoice as you will see another species of endemic penguin here: the yellow-eyed penguin, affectionately termed hoiho.
As with the blue penguins, I had better luck seeing them closer to sunset.
Penguins aside, Katiki Point is also a favourite spot for the endemic fur seals.
7. Shag Point
This is a quick stop about 18 km or 20 mins from Katiki Point.
There isn’t much to see here apart from more fur seals and boulders similar to Moeraki, but less impressive.
8. Dunedin
Finish the remaining leg of the journey to Dunedin by cruising through 64 km, which will take about an hour.
I’ve written an article on Dunedin here. The least you can do here is to visit the steepest street in the world, Tunnel Beach and walk around the Octagon aka CBD.
Accommodations
If you’re following the places highlighted above, there are three points – Christchurch, Oamaru, and Dunedin – where you may crash for the night before, between, and after the road trip.
Christchurch
Budget solos or couples may find comfort staying at Hotel Give, conveniently located next to the Botanical Gardens and Canterbury Museum. Spend a night at Urbanz to be at the heart of Christchurch city. For those who have just reached Christchurch via flight, LyLo next to the airport is your immediate respite.
And if you’d like to pamper yourself in a luxurious stay, check out the posh Sudima, elegant Mayfair, or the immaculately designed 5-star historical Observatory Hotel that everyone who stayed remarked as absolutely beautiful.
Oamaru
Travellers on a budget may find Oamaru Backpackers and Empire Hotel Backpackers value for money at central locations.
For those looking for more privacy, comfort or a novel stay, there are the heritage houses – The Old Confectionery and The Whitestone – and the modern and tastefully furnished Poshtel (sounds like Posh + Hotel!).
Dunedin
Budget options in Dunedin for the group of friends or the independent solo explorer include On Top Backpackers and the Uptown Backpackers.
Other comfortable and luxurious options include the delightfully designed Ebb-Dunedin, and staying by the beach at Hotel St Clair. You could even stay within the grounds of the only castle in New Zealand at the Larnach Lodge & Stable Stay!
Conclusion/ Rambles
Travelling on the highway from Christchurch to Dunedin over Oamaru could be part of your memorable South Island itinerary.
Pack it within a day, or spread over two with a night at historical Oamaru to witness the native penguins, indulge in delicious cheeses, and enjoy what this section of the East Coast has!
The road continues further south from Dunedin to Invercargill via the secluded roads through the quiet but attractions-rich Catlins. Be prepared to see beautiful waterfalls, coastal caves, and a petrified forest! This section of the South Island shouldn’t be missed!
Other memorable road trips for your perusal include a 5-day campervan journey in the Northland and the West Coast of the South Island.
For now, happy planning!✨
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