The drive north from Otago, is quite an experience. Particularly if you have never driven the road before. I had often driven as far north from Palmerston, Otago, as Timaru, with a couple of excursions up to Christchurch. As the South Island of New Zealand is long and thin, the road north is never too far from the sea. Such towns as Oamaru and Timaru are actually on the coast and wonderful places to stop for coffee, a meal, or even for the night.
There is a lovely cafe The Galley, on the inner harbour front where you can sit and watch the waves bash over the sea wall, all while enjoying your coffee or a bowl of wedges. While, drive to the top above the township proper, in Timaru and you have a wonderful view of not just the sea, but the lovely water channel that tumbles over the edge down in a cascade to the Rose Gardens below. And, just a little way down the hill as you head north once more, there is a great eating place where you can again look out onto the sea in the distance.
The main road from Timaru to Christchurch, passes through many smaller towns where you can stop for refreshments, or to look at the views. One of which is Asburton, a small town that runs alongside the Main Highway, although for those who need it, there IS a MacDonalds on the left hand side on your way through.
From there it isn’t too far to the Rakaia River with it 2km bridge. Not the longest in the world, but it is the longest in New Zealand. And when the spring thaws hit the river, from being a braided river with several streams running underneath, it turns into a raging torrent.
Christchurch to Picton is an interesting drive, depending on whether the State Highway is open or closed due to the problems caused by the 2016 earthquake. When I made the drive SH1 was closed leaving the only option to go through Murchison in the centre of the island.
After two days driving north from Otago in the South Island, first day driving 12 hours with stops only for petrol and coffee. I just stayed to sleep in a motel near the Picton Ferry depot. It would be best if travelling this distance to stop in Christchurch or Kaikoura for the night. In the cooler months, about June to October, you will have wonderful views of the snow on the Port Hills, or the Seaward Kaikoura’s.
If you are driving from New Zealand’s Wellington to Auckland, Auckland to Wellington, or any points in between, on driving through Taupo in the centre of the North Island, you will pass by a Millennium Hotel, which has been on that spot for years. In fact back then it was known as Manuel’s and still retains that part of the name.
It is a beautiful looking place, right on the lake front. Recently on my major road trip (1400 km, 870 miles) I decided as a treat for myself for travelling alone, I would spend the night there.
Now, I had just driven from the Wellington ferry, non-stop through the spectacular countryside over what is called the Desert Road, a section of State Highway 1, which at times reaches altitudes of 600+km. This section of the country has few trees, mostly tussock, and is the home of the Kaimanawa Horses, a feral variety of horse which roams free on the Kaimanawa Ranges.
Due to the unproductive nature of the land and the extreme winter climate, the region is largely uninhabited. The town of Waiouru, with its army camp and Military museum, lies to the south and much of the southern part of the desert is used for training purposes.
Second day I relaxed on the ferry for four hours, “bliss”, and for a small extra payment when booking was able to spend the trip in one of the lounges, where you could relax in the peace and quiet and, if you didn’t want to go out on deck, enjoy the views of Cook Strait through the windows while you ate the lovely food provided for passengers.
When I got off the ferry, I drove north for a further four hours, the last hour and a half on the road down from the Desert Road, which contained, apart from glorious views of the Tongariro National Park with its volcanic peaks, several 35km, 45km, and even 25km bends, frazzling my nerves even further. I defy anyone to deny that the scenery is magnificent, (although better to take in the views as a passenger than allow yourself to be distracted as the driver). Before arriving safe and sound at the Millennium Hotel in Taupo.
Still, note to self, never drive that road again when tired.