Driving from Nelson to Christchurch - coast or interior??

Question

Hi, We have to head back to Christchurch in a couple days from Nelson (sadly our vacation is coming to an end!). From what I can see the drive time difference if we take the quickest route via the interior (as suggested by google maps) vs. the east coast is about an hour (longer for the coastal route via Picton, Blenheim, Kaikoura. I know google drive times are generally quicker than reality - we've already been around the rest of the island and we are just on our way back to Christchurch. We would like to know about the driving/road conditions for the coast vs. interior route. We would prefer to do the coast with a few stops to eat/stretch as we go, but we don't want it turning into a 15 hour day. Any thoughts are appreciated...

nzp0ppy · Accepted Answer

Generally thrugh the middle or Lewis (as we call it is quicker), there are some lovely stops on the Lewis pass. It goes over a few passes, and some nice mountain scenery. Not many good places to stop for cafes. the East coast is the more scenic drive, but a little longer. Pelorus is lovely. Then the coastal road and through Kaikoura has wonderful ocean views. you could stop at a seal colony or one of the lovely cafes in Kaikoura.

zhuhai2007 · Answer

In fine weather the drive south on SH1 has some very scenic stretches esp just north of Kaikoura. My favourite cafe is about 1 hr south of Blenheim (or 2:30 hr from Nelson) - The Store at Kekerenegu. Stunning coastal location.

I drive the Lewis Pass to Nelson a couple of times a year & find it rather boring.

sydneynick · Answer

I have driven between Nelson and Christchurch many times when visiting my parents and sister in Motueka or Nelson. I have used Lewis Pass when I wanted to minimise travel time, and the coastal route when I wanted nice scenery.

A very pleasant alternative, if you have the time, is to turn right just south of Kaikoura and use the Inland Kaikoura Road via Waiau.

Don't trust Google Maps for driving times in NZ. A much better tool is provided by the NZ Automobile Association: http://www.aa.co.nz/travel/maps-directions-and-traffic/time-and-distance-calculator/

NZMike57 · Answer

We have many trips between Christchurch and Nelson. Through the centre is quickest by about 1/2 hour depending on where you start from in Nelson. However my wife really dislikes this trip and will insist on the East Coast through Kaikoura. She finds the centre to be a bit claustrophobic. Personally I like doing a round trip.

If I was only doing the trip once, and not coming back anytime soon I would definitely go down the coast. Road conditions are similar. There are more trucks on HW1, but there are more passing lanes. Coming through the centre it does get very similar after an hour or so and it's hard to get a decent coffee.

Fearless802748 · Answer

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Driving from Nelson to Christchurch - coast or interior?? - New Zealand Forum

Driving from Nelson to Christchurch - coast or interior??

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