New Zealand · 7 days · 489 km · One-way
Marlborough — Wellington to Christchurch in 7 days
Top-of-South-Island foodie loop: Cook Strait ferry, Havelock greenshell mussels, sauvignon blanc at 30+ Renwick cellar doors, Blenheim farmers market, Kaikōura whales and crayfish, finishing in Christchurch. Based on maui Motorhomes.
Highlights
- Cook Strait inter-islands ferry (3.5h)
- Edwin Fox Ship (last convict ship)
- The Mussel Pot (Havelock)
- Pelorus Bridge (Hobbit film set)
- Bike tour to 30+ cellar doors (Renwick)
- Marlborough Farmers Market (Sunday)
- Whale watching in Kaikōura
- Crayfish at Nins Bin (Half Moon Bay)
- Fyffe House
- Christchurch tram + Botanic Gardens
Day-by-day itinerary
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Day 1
Wellington → Picton (ferry)
Wellington → Picton
- · 3.5h ferry through Marlborough Sounds
- · Edwin Fox Ship Visitor Centre
- · Fish & chips at Shelley Beach
Overnight: Picton Campervan Park
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Day 2
Picton → Havelock
Picton → Havelock · 60 km
- · Queen Charlotte Drive (scenic)
- · Greenshell mussels at The Mussel Pot
- · Pelorus Bridge Reserve
Overnight: Havelock Holiday Park
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Day 3
Havelock → Renwick (wines)
Havelock → Renwick · 35 km
- · Bike tour of cellar doors (bike2wine)
- · Forrest Wines, Framingham, Gibson Bridge
- · Renwick Museum
Overnight: Spring Creek Holiday Park
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Day 4
Renwick → Blenheim
Renwick → Blenheim · 10 km
- · Taylor River Reserve walkway
- · Dinner at Gramado's (Brazilian)
- · Marlborough Farmers Market (Sun 9-12)
Overnight: Blenheim Bridges Holiday Park
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Day 5
Blenheim → Kaikōura
Blenheim → Kaikōura · 130 km
- · Whale watch cruise (sperm whales year-round)
- · Crayfish at Nins Bin
- · Fyffe House (oldest building)
Overnight: Kaikoura TOP 10
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Day 6
Kaikōura → Christchurch
Kaikōura → Christchurch · 180 km
- · Lunch at Waipara Hills (pinot noir)
- · Lyttelton Coastal Path
Overnight: Tasman Holiday Parks Christchurch
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Day 7
Christchurch — drop-off
Christchurch · 30 km
- · Christchurch tram (hop on/off)
- · Canterbury Museum and Botanic Gardens
- · SALT district + Riverside Market
Recommended brands for this route
Selection based on road type and trip length. Tighter budgets — we can also quote Mighty.