10 Excellent Weekend Trips from Christchurch

Christchurch is a lovely city in its own right, but one of my favourite things about this city is its proximity to a wide variety of epic weekend trips.

While I live in Queenstown, I regularly tag along on my partner’s work trips to Christchurch. We almost always bookend our Christchurch visits with weekend trips to and from the city.

Within 4 hours or less of the Christchurch city centre, you can be hiking amongst snow-capped mountains or subtropical rainforest; surfing or wildlife-spotting on the coast; or soaking in natural hot pools under the stars.

For each weekend destination in this guide, I’m sharing the best things to do in the area, plus where to stay nearby—I’ve included both four-walled accommodation & camping options, because I do a mix of both (and maybe you do, too!). 

So without further ado, here’s your guide to the best weekend getaways from Christchurch.

*Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through the link provided, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I really appreciate your support!

Weekend Trips from Christchurch

1. Kaikōura

🚙 Drive time from Christchurch: 2 hours 30 minutes

Kaikōura is a beautiful coastal town where the mountains meet the sea.

This beach town is known for its abundant marine life population—it’s one of the best places in New Zealand to see whales, dolphins & seals.

There are also some excellent surf spots around Kaikōura, the most famous being the right-hand point break at Mangamaunu. 

Even if you don’t surf, it’s worth visiting the stony beach at Mangamaunu to watch the surfers do their thing. I’ve spotted dolphins jumping out of the water here while reading on the beach & watching my partner surf—it was magic.

One Kaikōura must-do is a walk along the Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway, a gorgeous coastal trail offering incredible ocean views and seal-spotting opportunities.

And when you’re not outside enjoying the coastal scenery, stroll through town and pop into the lovely shops and eateries on offer.

Slam Club is a great spot for gourmet sandwiches, and I always pop into the Middlehurst Station Farm Shop to pick up local meat and sausages to take home with me (a chilly bin will come in handy for this purpose).

For seafood (a Kaikōura speciality), I recommend getting fish & chips from Cooper’s Catch to enjoy at the beach.

If you’d like to toast the day with a drink, head to Emporium for a craft beer, or go to the iconic Pier Hotel for a beachfront beverage.

Where to stay in Kaikōura

• Sudima Kaikōura: This gorgeous, modern hotel is located just across from the sea. If you’re after a luxe, relaxing getaway from Christchurch, this hotel is an excellent choice.

• Camping & cabins in Kaikōura: For camping close to town, I like the Alpine Pacific Motels & Holiday Park. Under 10 minutes south of town, you’ll also find the beachfront Peketā Campground, which is set next to a wild surf beach. Both of these campgrounds also offer cabin accommodation.

2. Akaroa

🚙 Drive time from Christchurch: 1 hour 30 minutes

While Akaroa makes for one of the best day trips from Christchurch, it’s also a wonderful location for a weekend getaway.

Located on the hilly, view-laden Banks Peninsula, Akaroa is perched alongside the sparkling Akaroa Harbour, where calm waters are home to marine life like Hector’s dolphins, seals & penguins.

This small, charming town was once a French settlement, and you’ll find little traces of France dotted around town.

On the drive from Christchurch to Akaroa, stop in Little River for a coffee, and sample cheese at Barry’s Bay Cheese. There is also a beautiful coastal walk along this drive—the Onawe Pa Walk—which takes about an hour to complete.

Things to do in Akaroa

Once you reach Akaroa, park up and explore the town on foot. Walk along the Akaroa waterfront to the lighthouse, and visit the Garden of Tane. 

If you’d like to experience Akaroa by water, consider booking a kayak tour or wildlife-spotting cruise. 

Enjoy a drink by the water at Tini Gin Bar, and for dinner, head to Mandala for Indian + South Pacific fusion food. Or get fish & chips to enjoy by the water from Akaroa Fish & Chips. For breakfast, I love the Common.

And before you head back to Christchurch, I highly recommend detouring up to Hinewai Reserve for a bush walk.

This haven of protected land is filled with native bush and walking tracks, and it’s open to the public to enjoy. Watch this short film on Hinewai before visiting if you haven’t seen it already—it’ll give you all sorts of happy feels (the conservation efforts here are truly inspiring).

Where to stay in Akaroa

• La Rochelle Motel: this lovely motel is located a short walk from town in a peaceful garden setting.
  
  
• Camping & cabins in Akaroa: The Akaroa Top 10 Holiday Park is perched on a hill above town and offers sweeping views over the Akaroa Harbour. They have campervan sites, tent sites, cabins, and holiday units here. From camp, it’s a quick (but steep) walk down to town.

Tip: When planning your weekend getaway to Akaroa, check the cruise ship schedule beforehand. If a cruise ship is in town, it can feel quite hectic (so I avoid these times, personally!).

3. Hanmer Springs

🚙 Drive time from Christchurch: 2 hours

Hanmer Springs is best-known for its popular hot pool complex, but this cute alpine town offers a whole lot more. While this is a great place to visit year-round, I think it makes for a wonderful winter getaway from Christchurch.

While you should definitely visit the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools when you’re here, take some time to explore around town, too.

Walk to the Dog Stream Waterfall (2-3 hours return) for a steep but rewarding half-day hike. The trail climbs through beech forest filled with birdsong and leads to a beautiful 41m waterfall.

After something a bit more mellow? Go for an easy stroll under a fairytale-like forest along the Forest Amble, where you’ll find whimsical wooden sculptures carved in the shape of animals. It’s a great little walk for kids & adults alike.

If you like playing disc golf, pack your discs to play the beautiful 9-hole disc golf course at Dog Stream Reserve.

For a special dinner in Hanmer Springs, go to No. 31 Restaurant. They make beautiful meals and have a great cocktail, beer & wine list. And for breakfast, head to the Powerhouse—they serve generous portions of healthy food made with love.

Where to stay in Hanmer Springs

• Settlers Boutique Motel: This cosy, comfortable motel is my favourite place to stay in Hanmer Springs. You’ll feel welcomed by the lovely owners and the property is within close walking distance to everything in town.

• Camping & cabins in Hanmer Springs: The spacious Hanmer Springs Top 10 Holiday Park has options for tent camping, campervan camping, and cabins/motel units, too. If you have a self-contained campervan, you can also freedom camp at the Hanmer Springs River Reserve.

4. Maruia Hot Springs

🚙 Drive time from Christchurch: 2 hours 40 minutes

If you’re after a romantic weekend getaway from Christchurch, it’s hard to look past Maruia Hot Springs. 

This spa resort is located along Lewis Pass and is the perfect place to spend a night or two relaxing amongst nature.

The main draw here is the assortment of natural hot pools, where mineral-rich geothermal water soothes away aches and pains.

There are also saunas, a steam room, and a cold plunge pool.

Take a complimentary yoga class in their beautiful yoga studio, or go for a bush walk around the property.

Onsite, you’ll find a lovely restaurant with fresh, healthy food—other than that, though, there are no shops nearby, so if you want to bring snacks or drinks, pick them up before heading out this way.

If you’d like to explore more around Lewis Pass, I recommend visiting the Sluice Box Bridge short walk (at the start of the Lake Daniells track) or the Alpine Nature Walk.

Where to stay near Maruia Hot Springs

Stay onsite at Maruia Hot Springs in one of their motel units or glamping pods. They also have campervan sites available. Accommodation & camping prices include entry to the hot pools and facilities.

Nearby, you’ll also find the Marble Hill DOC Campsite.

5. Arthur’s Pass

🚙 Drive time from Christchurch: 2 hours to Arthur’s Pass Village

The drive over Arthur’s Pass is one of the most scenic drives in the world. 

As the highest pass over the Southern Alps, this drive will give you views galore of mountains, braided rivers, and waterfalls.

The best way to explore Arthur’s Pass (besides driving) is to go hiking amongst the many trails in the area.

And while you could day trip here from Christchurch, it’s also well worth staying a night or two in the area to best explore its nooks and crannies.

Things to do on the drive to Arthur’s Pass Village

Your first stop after driving towards Arthurs Pass from Christchurch should always be one place: the Sheffield Pie Shop. In addition to fantastic pies, they make delicious sweet treats. I always have to get a bag of Afghan biscuits to take home with me.

After you’ve fueled up with a pie, continue driving along the highway, and watch flat farmland turn to tussock-covered hills as you start ascending the pass.

Your next stop should be Kura Tawhiti—Castle Hill—one of the best short walks in the South Island. Walk around the neat limestone rock formations and explore at your leisure.

If you’re feeling adventurous, visit Cave Stream, where you can walk/wade through a river-filled cave from one end to the other. Just make sure you don’t do this after it’s been raining, and wear a headtorch and clothes/shoes that you don’t mind getting wet.

For a great little day hike in the area, head up the Bealey Spur Track. You can hike all the way to the Bealey Top Hut, but I like to just hike up to the scenic viewpoint (about 3.5km one-way) and back down. From the viewpoint, you’ll get incredible views over the valley below, with braided rivers and mountains punctuating the stunning scenery.

Things to do near Arthur’s Pass Village

Around Arthur’s Pass Village (which is tiny!), you’ll find even more absolutely gorgeous walks. 

Definitely visit the impressive Devil’s Punchbowl Falls, and for a longer walk, I recommend the Arthur’s Valley Track.

Tip: Pack any food & drinks you’ll need, as there’s hardly anything in Arthur’s Pass Village. The first time I visited here (on a day trip), I couldn’t actually find a place to fill up my drink bottle with water. I recommend arriving prepared.

Where to stay in Arthur’s Pass

• Arthur’s Pass Alpine Motel: Located in Arthur’s Pass Village, this rustic motel offers cosy self-contained cabins. Make sure to book far in advance—they’re often sold out.

• Jackson’s Retreat Holiday Park:  This great holiday park is located a 30-minute drive from Arthur’s Pass Village, but it’s worth the extra time it takes to get here. They have walks and glow worms on their property, and offer cosy cabins in addition to campsites.

6. Punakaiki 

🚙 Drive time from Christchurch: 4 hours

If you’re looking to get away from it all, it’s hard to beat a visit to Punakaiki.

The small settlement of Punakaiki is located on the wild West Coast amongst rugged seas, subtropical rainforest, and limestone cliffs and rock formations.

There’s not a lot out here besides walks in nature, which is often just how I like my weekend trips!

When in Punakaiki, make sure to visit the iconic Punakaiki Pancake Rocks. They’re best-visited around high tide to see the swell in action amongst the pancake rocks and blowholes. 

The loop walk around the pancake walks is quite easy and takes just 20-30 minutes, depending on how many photo-op stops you make!

Another fantastic walk is the trail to Truman Beach, which leads through a luxuriant, Nikau-palm filled forest down to a beach cove with a waterfall that drops onto the sand. Visit Truman Beach around low tide if you’d like to access the beach.

And for my all-time favourite walk in Punakaiki, don’t miss the Pororari River Track. I like doing this walk as an out-and-back to the swing bridge and back, which takes about 2 hours return. This gorgeous trail weaves alongside the tannin-stained Pororari River, with limestone cliffs and dense rainforest above you. It’s a stunner, and fairly flat with some mild ups and downs in the mix.

In between all of those walks, make sure to check out the Paparoa National Park Visitor Centre. It’s been newly remodeled (at the time of writing this) and is really quite impressive. The cafe there is also a good spot for a pastry and coffee.

One thing I recommend is to pack food and drinks with you before heading to Punakaiki. There aren’t any shops out this way, and it’s easiest to self-cater since dining options are limited.

Where to stay in Punakaiki

• Hydrangea Cottages: these lovely cottages are nestled amongst the bush and offer epic ocean views.
  
  
• Camping & cabins in Punakaiki: camp at the lovely Punakaiki Beach Camp, whether you’re in a tent or campervan. It’s one of my favourite campgrounds in the South Island. They also have some lovely little camping cabins. For a couple, I can recommend the Deluxe Riverside Cabins.

7. Hokitika 

🚙 Drive time from Christchurch: 3 hours 20 minutes

The coastal town of Hokitika is the heart of the West Coast, with a creative and welcoming community of artists and small business owners and a beautiful location between beaches, rivers & mountains.

Hokitika makes a good base for jumping off on a couple of day trips to gorge-ous walks in the area (sorry, but pun intended).

For starters, don’t miss a day trip to the incredible Hokitika Gorge. The gorge is filled with bright milky-blue water that looks striking next to the pale limestone rocks and deep green forest surrounding the gorge.

When you drive out to the Hokitika Gorge, make sure to stop at Lake Kaniere and Dorothy Falls along the way.

If you love the Hokitika Gorge but find it a bit crowded (it’s a popular spot), then I have another place for you to check out: the Cesspool Gorge, which is a terrible (or genius?) name for an absolutely stunning spot. 

The walk to the Cesspool Gorge takes about 2 hours return, and you’ll likely not see many other people there. Once you arrive at the gorge, you’ll be greeted with crystal-clear, bright blue water and a slightly terrifying swing bridge (cross the bridge if you dare).

Try to time your walks to these gorges on a sunny day, as that’s when the water will look the most vibrant. And remember to pack insect repellent, as the sandflies are ferocious around these parts!

Once back in Hokitika, enjoy a walk around town and watch a sunset from the beach. After dark, look for glow worms at the Hokitika Glow Worm Dell.

Where to stay in Hokitika

• Hokitika Fire Station Hotel: This boutique hotel is located right in town with 5 beautiful apartments available, ranging from a studio unit to a 3-bedroom space that’s perfect for a family or group of friends.

• Camping & cabins in Hokitika: The Hokitika Holiday Park & Motels is a great place for camping, with clean, tidy facilities and a family-friendly setting. They have cabins and units here, too.

• Near Hokitika: Consider staying at the Ross Beach Top 10 Holiday Park, located about 25 minutes south of Hokitika. This beachfront holiday park is particularly great for couples, with cosy eco-pod accommodation available. The Sunset Studio is my favourite—it has an outdoor bath! And you can have a driftwood bonfire on the beach in front of the campground. Pure bliss.

8. Lake Tekapo 

🚙 Drive time from Christchurch: 3 hours

The lakeside town of Tekapo is perched on the shores of aquamarine Lake Tekapo, one of the most beautiful lakes on the planet.

While many use Tekapo as a quick stop on a larger South Island road trip, I think it’s well worth spending a relaxing night or two here. 

On the drive from Christchurch to Lake Tekapo, there’s one spot you can’t miss: the Fairlie Bakeshop, home to some seriously legendary pies. The pork belly and applesauce pie is my favourite, but they have veggie options too (and even gluten free pies).

Things to do in Tekapo

When you arrive in Tekapo, wander along the Tekapo lakefront, and maybe bring a good book to read alongside its peaceful shores. If you need to pick up a book, check out Petronella’s Bookstore in town—it’s a lovely little independent bookshop.

In late spring & early summer, the colourful lupin bloom along the lakefront is pretty spectacular to see, even though they’re invasive. The famous Church of the Good Shepherd—while almost always busy with tourists—is a nice place for a photo-op.

For the best views of Lake Tekapo, hike up to the Mount John Summit or pay the $8 vehicle fee to drive to the summit (it’s worth it). 

Once on the summit, get a coffee at the Astro Cafe to enjoy with sweeping views over Lake Tekapo and the surrounding mountains.

And if you like disc golf, pack your discs to play the scenic lakeside disc golf course.

After a day of hanging out around Lake Tekapo, a visit to the Tekapo Springs Hot Pools is always a treat. And after dark, make sure to look up—the stargazing here is incredible (Tekapo is part of a Dark Sky Reserve, after all).

For dining out in Tekapo, I like Better Batter for fish & chips, Kohan for Japanese food featuring the local salmon, and the Greedy Cow Cafe for breakfast (although be prepared to queue).

Tekapo also makes a good base for day-tripping to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park—more on that below!

Where to stay in Lake Tekapo

• Galaxy Boutique Hotel: The rooms at this modern property have beautiful lake views,  luxurious bathtubs, and skylights for gazing up at the stars right from your own bed.

• Haka House Lake Tekapo: With shared & private rooms available, this hostel is located right in town and has gorgeous views of the lake.

• Camping & cabins in Tekapo: Camp at the Lake’s Edge Holiday Park, Tekapo’s only campground. The campground is perched above the lake within walking distance to town and the hot pools. They also have cabins and motel units available here.

9. Aoraki Mount Cook National Park

🚙 Drive time from Christchurch: 4 hours

Like to hike? Then you absolutely can’t miss adding Aoraki Mount Cook National Park to your Christchurch weekend trip bucket list.

The drive from Christchurch to Mount Cook is one of the best road trips in the country, in my opinion. It gets particularly stunning once you reach Lake Tekapo.

After driving past Lake Tekapo, you’ll skirt along the shores of another turquoise lake—Lake Pukaki—before reaching the entrance to the national park. 

If you can time your visit with a clear weekend, I recommend doing so—that’ll give you the best chance of seeing Aoraki Mount Cook itself in all its glory.

In the national park itself, the best thing to do is to hit the hiking trails. The Hooker Valley Track is the most popular day walk in the park, and Sealy Tarns is a lung-busting climb up 2,000+ stairs to a panoramic viewpoint over the park.

For short walks, try the Kea Point Track, Tasman Glacier View Track, and Governors Bush Walk.

I recommend bringing in all of your food and drinks—you can stop in Tekapo for supplies if you need to—because dining options are limited within the national park. I usually camp or book accommodation with cooking facilities so I can self-cater (or just pack picnic supplies).

That being said, one good spot for a road trip snack is the Mt Cook Alpine Salmon Shop, which you’ll find just before you turn onto Mount Cook Road. Their salmon sashimi is fantastic.

Where to stay in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park

• The Hermitage Hotel: This is the nicest hotel in the park, and it also comes with the highest price tag.
  
  
• Aoraki Court Motel: Their comfortable rooms offer great mountain views and have kitchenettes.
  
  
• Haka House: Formerly the YHA Hostel, this is the most affordable accommodation option within the park (besides camping). They have both shared and private rooms, a sauna, and communal kitchen.
  
  
• Camping in Mount Cook National Park: The White Horse Hill DOC campsite is the only campground within the national park. It’s in an absolutely epic location, right at the start of many trailheads for day hikes. It does get crowded, though, particularly in the summer months.

Further reading: where to stay near Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park

10. Oamaru

🚙 Drive time from Christchurch: 3 hours

For a unique weekend trip from Christchurch, head down the east coast to Oamaru, where you’ll find wildlife-viewing opportunities, Victorian architecture, Steampunk culture, and delicious places to eat & drink craft beer.

As you drive into Oamaru, make sure to stop at the Whitestone Cheese Diner & Deli for the best cheese rolls ever.

When in Oamaru, I like to focus my visits around Oamaru’s Victorian Precinct. This historic area is quirky and delightful, and it’s so fun to just walk around and pop into any shops and cafes that strike your fancy.

Some places I love in the Victorian Precinct include the Buggyrobot Gallery, Inc Design Store, William Bee, & Craftwork Brewery. 

If you like op shopping, there are also some great op shops around Oamaru.

A visit to the Steampunk HQ museum is a popular activity in Oamaru, although I will say that it’s not really my cup of tea (but I still think it’s worth seeing).

After exploring the Victorian Precinct, walk over to the Oamaru waterfront, where you’ll get beautiful harbour views. If you have kids with you (or even if you don’t), make sure to check out the Steampunk-inspired playground—it’s really neat.

For wildlife viewing in Oamaru, you can book an evening viewing at the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony, home to a large colony of little blue penguins. Or head up to Bushy Beach to look for fur seals and yellow-eyed penguins from the viewing platform (bring binoculars!).

If you’re in Oamaru on a Sunday, make sure to check out their wonderful farmer’s market. I always leave with an armful of veggies to take with me, and a bacon butty to devour before hopping back in the car.

Side Trip from Oamaru: Moeraki

From Oamaru, you can also easily day trip to Moeraki. On the drive to Moeraki, visit All Day Bay beach (which also has a surf spot), and check out the Moeraki Boulders Beach (low tide is best).

Get fish & chips from the Fishwife in Moeraki Village, and head out to Katiki Point to look for yellow-eyed penguins & fur seals (honestly, Moeraki is a great little weekend trip in its own right!).

Where to stay in Oamaru

• Poshtel: This wonderful boutique hotel has beautiful themed rooms and is within walking distance to the historic precinct.

• The Old Confectionary: Luxurious apartment accommodation in a historic building, which once housed a confectionery.

• Old Bones Lodge: This boutique hostel is right on the beach and has ocean-view hot tubs for hire. It’s a short drive from here to the historic precinct.

• Camping & cabins in Oamaru: Camp at the Oamaru Top 10 Holiday Park; or, if you’re in a campervan, I recommend the Oamaru Harbour Tourist Park (the location is excellent).

Thanks for reading!

I truly hope this has helped you plan your next weekend getaway from Christchurch.

As always, please leave a comment if you’ve found this helpful or have any feedback for me. I always love hearing from you!

Want more ideas for road trips from Christchurch?

If you’re after some longer road trip itineraries from Christchurch, check out my guides below.

• The Ultimate Christchurch to Queenstown road trip itinerary
• Christchurch to Franz Josef road trip
• Christchurch to Dunedin road trip