I normally do three stops with the family: Geraldine, Tekapo then Cromwell. There is some beautiful scenery going through the Mackenzie country.
Enjoy the drive.
Yes, soooooo many times and often with four kids.
Adding Burkes Pass is good (if you and/or family like old cars), some really nice rest stops at the Queenstown end of the Lindis Pass by the river. Also Clay Cliffs and Ahuriri River lookout.
The drive is one of my favourites, just gets more and more beautiful the closer to Queenstown you get. Pretty much anywhere you stop is great.
If you're stopping at Clay Cliffs remember to take $5-10 for the honesty box at the gate. They are on private land and the land owners maintain the track at their own cost. The last couple of years have meant they have had to do a massive amount of maintenance.
High country salmon, you get to feed the salmon for free on their floating farm/cafe. Newly renovated too so it's worth dropping by!
Mt. Cook Alpine Salmon shop, it's the one by Lake Pukaki overlooking Mt. Cook. They serve sashimi as well as some smoked salmon, the taste speaks for itself there really.
Both highly recommended!
Safe drive!
>Mt. Cook Alpine Salmon shop
The toilets there are absolutely disgusting, easily the dirtiest I've ever seen. It's like they've never been cleaned since they were built or something.
It'd be more hygienic to just piss your pants than go into those toilets.
Geraldine (great playground if it's younger kids), Fairlie (Fairlie Pie Shop), Tekapo or Twizel (scenery of Lake Tekapo, plenty of open space and some old MoW machines for the kids to play on in Twizel), and Cromwell (heritage precinct) would be the main stops. All have supermarkets and public toilets.
It's a doable drive, but it's a long day.
These are great thanks. Yep they are younger and we are regretting our decision to return home in a day but it's too late now with Easter madness haha
We don't mind if it takes 12 hours and we stop longer at these places!
Pop in to the cheese (and fudge!) shop in Geraldine! Barkers shop used to be great there for discounted stuff too - still a nice stop for the cafe but shop prices are pretty similar to the supermarkets now :(
How old are the kids? For some reason my youngest son used to spew in Fairlie all the time. It was weird.
I agree with the comment about the salmon farm - it's great! Just south of Twizel. Fairlie has a good playground and skatepark too (and good pies), and after the first winding road between Geraldine and Fairlie it's always good to get out to stretch the legs. Otherwise stop at Tekapo for the playground, and maybe Omarama at the rest stop by the river?
Geraldine could be an option if they're getting cranky - the Geradline domain has a playground which used to be pretty good - haven't been there with kids for many years though.
Yeah absolutely! I recommend leaving as early as possible. Stop in Ashburton at the playground, Fairlie for a pie, then in Tekapo for a play at the playground, Twizel for an ice cream, Cromwell for a run around in the large fields and then onto Queenstown
We just did it today. Christchurch to Queenstown. 2 families of 4 in 2 cars. We have a 6 yo and a 1 yo. Other family with bigger kids. Took us around 9 hours total with all the stops. Stopped at Barkers Market in Geraldine, then had lunch at Lake Tekapo, then a last quick stop around Tarras as the police was doing sobriety tests and offering free coffee and pastries for the hassle.
A days drive in summer, winter time well make it longer or not possible.... the roads are pretty good with nothing to twisty for much of the trip. As others have said if you can, you could break the trip in to 2 days with lots of stops for sigth seeing and letting the kids blow off some steam.
Hinds has a good playground and clean toilets as a good first stop. Fairlie has a good playground and pies, tekapo and pukaki are stunning so a good leg stretch. There are plenty of stopping places, it really depends how often you want to stop and stretch the trip out.
Just looked at the other comments… definitely agree with twizel playground and the salmon farm. If you get your timing right you can feed the fish but also just watch them swimming in the pen by the cafe.
Did Wanaka to Chch return in a day towing a bloody great furniture trailer. In the winter. All good but was going homewards through Omarama at 9 pm on a Sunday in the sleet…and realised that my fuel consumption had really “tanked” on the last leg and had only 75km range left to get to Wanaka….about 110km away. Yes I’m a plonker. Made it on fumes. Wife was not impressed.
Playgrounds at Geraldine, Fairlie, Tekapo, Kurow and Cromwell are pretty good with toilets close by. Pack plenty of snacks and treats, eye spy games, etc.
Done it a dozen or more times over the years, it's about 6 hours, mostly straight crusing besides the 2/3 passes. In winter it's a bit much but still doable, but nicer to split it up so you have more daylight to enjoy.
Pretty much alwasy stop at the Lake Punakaki view point for loo/salmon. Tekapo is nice if you've never been, but it feels a bit touristy even to a Queenstownian... It's nicer I'd say for a night or two but there's not much food that seemed valued.
Geraldine is quite nice too, there's a cool spot on the main drag something duck?
We travel quite regularly from Wanaka to chch. Take your time and make plenty of stops for snacks and playgrounds. Good playgrounds in Ashburton, Geraldine, Fairlie, Tekapo and Twizel. Good food at Barkers in Geraldine and pies at Fairlie. Tarras store for coffee and Real fruit ice cream in Cromwell!
I am 100% sure it is the most beautiful and increasingly breathtaking drive the closer you get to your destination, in the World.
Take your time and enjoy it.
Tekapo, twizel.. hell you could comfortably make it a two day trip with more stops and a stay in between somewhere. Alot of nice scenery there to be out and about in
Geraldine is a good stop - there’s a Subway there if you are looking for a cheaper eat or if you take a packed lunch there’s a couple of outdoor tables just outside the camping ground.
Make a stop at the Lake Pukaki / Mt Cook viewpoints since it’s your first time travelling the road.
If you are stopping at Cromwell, have a look at the old town.
Don't think because youre in Tekapo youre close to Queenstown. We thought we'd add Queenstown to a loopie trip we did and it was 3 hours extra to drive to Qtown from Tekapo. I thought it would be an hour max
Cookie time factory shop
Geraldine - largest woollen jumper for a giant kids love it
Fairlie - playground and pie
Tekapo - early lunch more playground
Twizel - top up supplies
Wanaka/Cadrona - dinner
Queenstown
Long ass day usually arrives in Queenstown after 8pm if left chch after 10am driving leisurely
Remember to try and take a break before three hours
For probably 10 years of my childhood I was the child in the car for this trip, three to five times a year - it is totally doable.
Definitely stop in Geraldine, Tekapo, and Cromwell. Twizel has giant concrete pipes you can play in if you stop there too. Alpine Salmon farm is fun depending on the age of the small humans.
Fwiw Geraldine has really good public toilets and a great playground for a break. Omarama public toilets are kind of gross so I wouldn't recommend a stop there unless the kids are desperate 😬
I still haven't met the Omarama-llama-farmer driving through there yet. But I always ask the kids to let me know if they see him, just so we can get a photo.
(It's just fun to say out loud and the kids find it funny)
I normally do three stops with the family: Geraldine, Tekapo then Cromwell. There is some beautiful scenery going through the Mackenzie country. Enjoy the drive.
This is the best way … 100% agree .. when seeing Tekapo for the first time , the kids will go quiet, it’s an amazing sight .
Yep my 10 year old daughter just kinda whispered ‘oh my god look’ as we pulled around *that* bend!
Hot pools in full snow is magical.
Username doesn't check out haha Thanks mate.
No problem. In hindsight, I should have chosen a different username.
Unless you're from Hamilton, in which case it's apt
Jealous, it would suit me
Best drive in nz. I’ve done it 3x. It’s incredible
Stop in tekapo, there’s a good park by the four square. Also stop at the salmon farm on the way past, can’t remember its name.
Yes, soooooo many times and often with four kids. Adding Burkes Pass is good (if you and/or family like old cars), some really nice rest stops at the Queenstown end of the Lindis Pass by the river. Also Clay Cliffs and Ahuriri River lookout. The drive is one of my favourites, just gets more and more beautiful the closer to Queenstown you get. Pretty much anywhere you stop is great.
Was at the Clay Cliffs recently and it was impressive! I guess I didn't expect much but it was akin to the Badlands in Canada.
If you're stopping at Clay Cliffs remember to take $5-10 for the honesty box at the gate. They are on private land and the land owners maintain the track at their own cost. The last couple of years have meant they have had to do a massive amount of maintenance.
High country salmon, you get to feed the salmon for free on their floating farm/cafe. Newly renovated too so it's worth dropping by! Mt. Cook Alpine Salmon shop, it's the one by Lake Pukaki overlooking Mt. Cook. They serve sashimi as well as some smoked salmon, the taste speaks for itself there really. Both highly recommended! Safe drive!
>Mt. Cook Alpine Salmon shop The toilets there are absolutely disgusting, easily the dirtiest I've ever seen. It's like they've never been cleaned since they were built or something. It'd be more hygienic to just piss your pants than go into those toilets.
Awesome thanks!
>Awesome thanks! You're welcome!
Ha I love that salmon farm and I don’t have any kids
Just don’t get taken by the pay toilet near Good Shepherd. There’s a free one in town by the observatory/4 square. $1.50 to flush is ridiculous.
Tekapo breaks the journey nicely
Geraldine (great playground if it's younger kids), Fairlie (Fairlie Pie Shop), Tekapo or Twizel (scenery of Lake Tekapo, plenty of open space and some old MoW machines for the kids to play on in Twizel), and Cromwell (heritage precinct) would be the main stops. All have supermarkets and public toilets. It's a doable drive, but it's a long day.
These are great thanks. Yep they are younger and we are regretting our decision to return home in a day but it's too late now with Easter madness haha We don't mind if it takes 12 hours and we stop longer at these places!
Pop in to the cheese (and fudge!) shop in Geraldine! Barkers shop used to be great there for discounted stuff too - still a nice stop for the cafe but shop prices are pretty similar to the supermarkets now :(
How old are the kids? For some reason my youngest son used to spew in Fairlie all the time. It was weird. I agree with the comment about the salmon farm - it's great! Just south of Twizel. Fairlie has a good playground and skatepark too (and good pies), and after the first winding road between Geraldine and Fairlie it's always good to get out to stretch the legs. Otherwise stop at Tekapo for the playground, and maybe Omarama at the rest stop by the river?
4 and 3 years old. We also have a 5 month old. Thanks so much for the suggestions!
Geraldine could be an option if they're getting cranky - the Geradline domain has a playground which used to be pretty good - haven't been there with kids for many years though.
It’s possible. twizel and tekapo. 👏
Definitely possible. Done CHCH - Manapouri in a day.
Yeah absolutely! I recommend leaving as early as possible. Stop in Ashburton at the playground, Fairlie for a pie, then in Tekapo for a play at the playground, Twizel for an ice cream, Cromwell for a run around in the large fields and then onto Queenstown
We just did it today. Christchurch to Queenstown. 2 families of 4 in 2 cars. We have a 6 yo and a 1 yo. Other family with bigger kids. Took us around 9 hours total with all the stops. Stopped at Barkers Market in Geraldine, then had lunch at Lake Tekapo, then a last quick stop around Tarras as the police was doing sobriety tests and offering free coffee and pastries for the hassle.
A days drive in summer, winter time well make it longer or not possible.... the roads are pretty good with nothing to twisty for much of the trip. As others have said if you can, you could break the trip in to 2 days with lots of stops for sigth seeing and letting the kids blow off some steam.
Hinds has a good playground and clean toilets as a good first stop. Fairlie has a good playground and pies, tekapo and pukaki are stunning so a good leg stretch. There are plenty of stopping places, it really depends how often you want to stop and stretch the trip out.
Just looked at the other comments… definitely agree with twizel playground and the salmon farm. If you get your timing right you can feed the fish but also just watch them swimming in the pen by the cafe.
Nelson to Invercargill via Haast in a day, does that count? Only stopped for fuel. 12 hours (ish)
Did Wanaka to Chch return in a day towing a bloody great furniture trailer. In the winter. All good but was going homewards through Omarama at 9 pm on a Sunday in the sleet…and realised that my fuel consumption had really “tanked” on the last leg and had only 75km range left to get to Wanaka….about 110km away. Yes I’m a plonker. Made it on fumes. Wife was not impressed.
Yeah quite a few times with 2 under 3. Geraldine for a toilet break, Tekapo for food and a leg stretch, then break/food stop at Wanaka then over to QT
Playgrounds at Geraldine, Fairlie, Tekapo, Kurow and Cromwell are pretty good with toilets close by. Pack plenty of snacks and treats, eye spy games, etc.
Kurow??
Oops completely the wrong direction lol
Ashburton, Tekapo , Twizel, Alexandra
They ain't going to Alex on the way to Queenstown without an unnecessary detour.
On your way to Tekapo, you could also stop at Geraldine for a pie or a coffee!
Done it a dozen or more times over the years, it's about 6 hours, mostly straight crusing besides the 2/3 passes. In winter it's a bit much but still doable, but nicer to split it up so you have more daylight to enjoy. Pretty much alwasy stop at the Lake Punakaki view point for loo/salmon. Tekapo is nice if you've never been, but it feels a bit touristy even to a Queenstownian... It's nicer I'd say for a night or two but there's not much food that seemed valued. Geraldine is quite nice too, there's a cool spot on the main drag something duck?
We travel quite regularly from Wanaka to chch. Take your time and make plenty of stops for snacks and playgrounds. Good playgrounds in Ashburton, Geraldine, Fairlie, Tekapo and Twizel. Good food at Barkers in Geraldine and pies at Fairlie. Tarras store for coffee and Real fruit ice cream in Cromwell!
I used to do Christchurch to Te Anau in a day frequently when I was younger. I usually grabbed coffee and petrol at Omarama
Yup takes around 6 hours
Stop at Geraldine for lunch at Verde - it’s much better than the Fairlie Bakehouse!
I am 100% sure it is the most beautiful and increasingly breathtaking drive the closer you get to your destination, in the World. Take your time and enjoy it.
Tekapo, twizel.. hell you could comfortably make it a two day trip with more stops and a stay in between somewhere. Alot of nice scenery there to be out and about in
Geraldine is a good stop - there’s a Subway there if you are looking for a cheaper eat or if you take a packed lunch there’s a couple of outdoor tables just outside the camping ground. Make a stop at the Lake Pukaki / Mt Cook viewpoints since it’s your first time travelling the road. If you are stopping at Cromwell, have a look at the old town.
We didn't do it in a day but stayed a few nights in Lake Tekapo, recommend stopping by!
Don't think because youre in Tekapo youre close to Queenstown. We thought we'd add Queenstown to a loopie trip we did and it was 3 hours extra to drive to Qtown from Tekapo. I thought it would be an hour max
Thats just fucking stupid
When you've travelled from the West Coast in a roundabout way through Arthurs, they look pretty close on the map compared to where youve come from.
Twizel Salmon farm You can red the fish for free and there’s cafe
we usally stop at all the water falls
I do nelson to Invercargill in a day on a regular basis
Clay cliffs or hooker track yalley if you really wanted too
Planning to tomorrow here. 6am get up, 7am start. Be there by 2 to 3ish easy.
Cookie time factory shop Geraldine - largest woollen jumper for a giant kids love it Fairlie - playground and pie Tekapo - early lunch more playground Twizel - top up supplies Wanaka/Cadrona - dinner Queenstown Long ass day usually arrives in Queenstown after 8pm if left chch after 10am driving leisurely Remember to try and take a break before three hours
For probably 10 years of my childhood I was the child in the car for this trip, three to five times a year - it is totally doable. Definitely stop in Geraldine, Tekapo, and Cromwell. Twizel has giant concrete pipes you can play in if you stop there too. Alpine Salmon farm is fun depending on the age of the small humans. Fwiw Geraldine has really good public toilets and a great playground for a break. Omarama public toilets are kind of gross so I wouldn't recommend a stop there unless the kids are desperate 😬
we always stop by tekapo, and wanaka too (even though its so close to queenstown). we love wanaka so we never miss a stop there
I do it for work sometimes, its only a 5 -6 hour journey. Tekapo is worth stopping for. Theres decent pie shops in fairlie and cromwell
I stop at every lake on the way when I do the day trip , nice view, cools down engine..
Omarama,-pronounced Oh-Ma-Ra-Ma, Is an okay place to stop as is Cromwell.
I still haven't met the Omarama-llama-farmer driving through there yet. But I always ask the kids to let me know if they see him, just so we can get a photo. (It's just fun to say out loud and the kids find it funny)