If there is one ideal way to see New Zealand, it would have to be a self driving holiday. New Zealand is a country to be explored and discovered on your own. Hiring a car or campervan will allow you to go where ever you like and stop as often as you want, where ever you want. This is what we did during our recent trip to the South Island and we couldn’t have been happier with our choice. It all started with one of New Zealand’s classic road trips – driving from Christchurch to Mount Cook.
Christchurch
Our flight arrived in Christchurch at around 3pm. By the time we went through the process of departing the airport and picking up our campervan, there wasn’t much point in starting our journey that day. So we found a holiday park and then headed into the city to see what was on offer.
Christchurch is still recovering from the massive earthquakes that devastated the city a few years ago. Many buildings lie in ruin, in construction or simply gone altogether, leaving large empty spaces. Still, the people of Christchurch are resilient and life goes on.
After a little walk around we made our way to New Regent Street, lined with trendy little boutique shops and cafes. Although most of the city had a kind of deserted feeling, this little street was alive. It was busy with locals and tourists enjoying a quiet Sunday afternoon drink or two.
New Regent Street, Christchurch
Taking the scenic route
In the morning we got an early start, which turned into more of a late start after getting lost in the city and going around in circles. But eventually we found our way onto the right path and headed out into the countryside. Snow capped mountains guided our way up ahead. We took the longer, scenic inland route out of Christchurch instead of the typical coastal route. It was a pleasant drive through green farmland filled with sheep. The snowy Mount Hutt stood out right in front of us most of the way.
Eventually we dropped down to cross the wide Rakaia River Valley, sitting in a beautiful setting beneath the mountains with the wide Canterbury Plains stretching out behind us. The road then curved around, turning south and following along the edge of the mountains. The drive took us through farmland and the occasional small town until we reached the picturesque country town of Geraldine, where we stopped to sample the bakery (ya gotta do what ya gotta do).
The Rakaia River
An old church in Geraldine
In Geraldine we turned off to take the road to Fairlie where we joined the main route to Tekapo and Mount Cook. Snow capped mountains were once again ahead of us. We climbed from the plain, up and over the Burkes Pass and entered Mackenzie Country. The green grass of the plain is replaced with alpine tussock grass, and a line of snow capped peaks are always on the horizon. The Southern Alps were in view and this is what we aimed for as we continued to drive inland among a stunning landscape.
The road to the Southern Alps
Lake Tekapo
It wasn’t long until we came to the beautiful waters of Lake Tekapo, where we stopped in the village for lunch. Tekapo is home to what has to be one of the most picturesque churches in New Zealand, if not the world. The tiny Church of the Good Shepherd sits in a stunning setting right on the lake’s edge. The alter has a window which overlooks the lake and snow capped mountains beyond. People come from all over the world to get married here, and I can see why.
Lake Tekapo
Church of the Good Shepherd, Tekapo
Onward to Mount Cook
A short drive out of Tekapo brought us to Lake Pukaki, a large lake with the most stunning turquoise blue water I have seen, fed from the glaciers and snow melt from the high mountains ahead. Looking up the wind swept lake, the ice capped peaks of the Southern Alps unveiled themselves. The highest of them all, Mount Cook, hid its head in the clouds.
Lake Pukaki
The road heads South to Omarama, however our journey would take us north to the base of Mount Cook itself. The road follows along the west bank of Lake Pukaki, one of the most stunning roads I have ever seen. It was a road tripper’s dream, and I felt as though I was stopping every five minutes to take in a new stunning vista.
Driving toward Mount Cook along Lake Pukaki
The road to Mount Cook took us all of the way to the head of the lake and then into the deep valley among the towering peaks of the Southern Alps. It was breathtaking and wild scenery, the dark rain clouds only adding to the dramatic scene. We reached Mount Cook village in the late afternoon, setting up camp in the picturesque White Horse Hill Campground. The camp sits in a stunning location beneath towering ice and snow capped peaks.
Mount Cook in the Clouds
The sun sets over White Horse Hill Campground, Mount Cook
That afternoon we went for a hike up the Hooker Valley, but that will be a post for another day đŸ™‚
Driving from Christchurch to Mount Cook was one of the most interesting and spectacular road trips I have experienced. Where was your favourite road trip?
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