Christchurch to Nelson Drive: Lewis Pass or the Coast, Time and Camping

Two routes, similar distance

The inland route follows State Highway 1 north to Waipara, then State Highway 7 over Lewis Pass to Springs Junction, State Highway 65 to Murchison and State Highway 6 to Nelson. The coastal route stays on State Highway 1 through Kaikōura to Blenheim, then State Highway 6 over the Rai Saddle and through Pelorus Bridge to Nelson. Each takes about six to seven hours of driving.

Neither is quick, because both have winding sections and reduced speed limits, and a campervan is slower on the hills than a car. The driving day planner helps you set a day that suits your vehicle, and a night on the way makes the trip a pleasure and not a slog.

The inland route: Lewis Pass and Murchison

Hanmer Springs is a short detour at the foot of the pass, with hot pools and forest walks, and the road climbs to Lewis Pass at 864 metres, with beech forest and walks to alpine tarns. Maruia Springs has a small hot pool complex on the way down, and Springs Junction has a fuel stop and a cafe.

Murchison, in the Buller valley, is a small town with a good cafe and several campgrounds, and the Buller Gorge swing bridge is a short drive west. In winter, snow and ice on Lewis Pass can close the road, so check the NZTA status before you leave and carry chains if your hire company allows them. The Lewis Pass road also passes DOC campsites in the beech forest.

The coastal route: Kaikōura and Blenheim

State Highway 1 north reaches the coast near Kaikōura, where the seal colonies and whale watching are the draws, and crayfish is the local food. The road between Kaikōura and Blenheim has some reduced speeds and the occasional slip, so allow extra time. The Christchurch to Marlborough guide covers this part in more detail.

From Blenheim, State Highway 6 climbs through the Rai Saddle and runs along the Pelorus River to Pelorus Bridge, where the DOC campsite and a cafe make a pleasant stop, and then climbs again over the Whangamoa Saddle to Nelson. The road is narrow and winding, so keep to the speed limits and use the passing bays.

Nelson and where to camp

Nelson is one of the sunniest places in the country, with beaches, cafes and a lively market on Saturday. Holiday parks in Nelson and Richmond are an easy base, and the Abel Tasman National Park, Kaiteriteri and Golden Bay are a day or two further. The Nelson, Abel Tasman and Golden Bay guide plans the area.

Freedom camping in the Nelson and Tasman area is limited, and the rules are enforced, as the freedom camping in Tasman guide explains. The Great Taste Trail by bike starts from Nelson and is described in its own guide.

Making it a loop

Go out one way and back the other, with a night in Murchison or Kaikōura on the way, and the trip takes three or four days with time for Nelson. The inland road suits the way out for the mountains, and the coastal road suits the way back for the sea, with a stop at Kaikōura.

In summer both roads are busy at the weekends and over the holidays, and holiday parks in Nelson, Kaikōura and Blenheim book out, so reserve ahead. The two-week South Island road trip guide shows how to fit the loop into a longer trip.

Planning the drive in KiwiCamping

For both routes, KiwiCamping shows DOC campsites, huts and holiday parks on a map for iPhone, with campervan access and facilities as filters. Add the places you like to a trip in driving order to see each leg's distance and a forecast per stop, which is useful when you are weighing the pass against the coast. Closures are not tracked, so check NZTA before you commit.

Reserve DOC campsites and huts on DOC's own booking pages, because the app does not take bookings. It is free to download, with in-app purchases.

Places along the way