3 Days from Christchurch by Campervan: Hanmer Springs and Kaikōura
Quick summary: This three-day campervan or motorhome loop combines two of North Canterbury’s best experiences: the thermal pools of Hanmer Springs and the whales and seals of Kaikōura. You drive inland to Hanmer, cross the hill country on the Inland Kaikōura Road to the coast, and return to Christchurch along State Highway 1. It covers around 450 km, with no day longer than about 2 hours 30 minutes behind the wheel.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Trip length | 3 days, 2 nights |
| Start and finish | Christchurch |
| Total distance | Around 450 km |
| Longest day | Day 3, around 180 km |
| Highlights | Hanmer thermal pools, the Inland Kaikōura Road, whale watching, seal colonies |
| Best for | Couples and families with a long weekend |
Compare campervan and motorhome hire in Christchurch
Day 1: Christchurch to Hanmer Springs
Distance: around 135 km, about 1 hour 45 minutes.
Collect the vehicle and stock up before heading north on State Highway 1 to Waipara, then inland on State Highway 7 through Waikari and Culverden. Stop at the Waiau Ferry Bridge, where jet boats race through the gorge below. In Hanmer Springs, settle into a holiday park and spend the evening in the thermal pools.
Experiences: jet boating or bungy at the Waiau gorge, and the thermal pools.
Overnight: Hanmer Springs.
Day 2: Hanmer Springs to Kaikōura
Distance: around 132 km, about 2 hours.
Walk to the Conical Hill lookout in the morning, then drive to Waiau and onto the Inland Kaikōura Road, which winds through hill country and river valleys before descending to the coast. In Kaikōura, walk part of the Peninsula Walkway in the afternoon and visit the seals at Point Kean.
Experiences: the Peninsula Walkway and the seal colony.
Overnight: a holiday park in Kaikōura, or a coastal campsite south of the town.
Day 3: Kaikōura to Christchurch
Distance: around 180 km, about 2 hours 30 minutes.
Take a morning whale-watching cruise or flight, or swim with dusky dolphins. After lunch, drive south down the coast and through the Hundalee Hills to Cheviot, Waipara and Christchurch, returning the vehicle during branch hours.
Experiences: whale watching, dolphin encounters or an albatross tour, all bookable as Kaikōura tours.
How can you adjust this itinerary?
- Reverse it: start with Kaikōura if the sea forecast looks better early in your trip, as tours depend on conditions.
- Add a day: spend two nights in Kaikōura so you have a back-up morning if a tour is cancelled.
- Swap the return: come home via the Waipara Valley for a vineyard lunch.
- Extend it: add Akaroa at the start for our 5-day Canterbury loop.
Is the Inland Kaikōura Road a good RV route for day two?
Yes, for a driver comfortable with winding roads. It is sealed but narrower and more winding than State Highway 1, with one-lane bridges and few services. Fill the tank in Hanmer Springs or Culverden before you set off, and allow extra time to enjoy the scenery.
Where should you stay?
Holiday parks in Hanmer Springs and Kaikōura are the easiest option, close to the pools and tour departure points. Coastal campsites near Goose Bay offer simpler camping by the sea. Freedom camping is limited in both areas and only for certified self-contained vehicles where the council permits it. See our Canterbury campsites guide.
Which trip guides does this itinerary use?
Compare campervan and motorhome hire in Christchurch
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. A three-day loop from Christchurch covers both, with a night in each, linked by the Inland Kaikōura Road, for around 450 km of driving in total.
Around 132 km via Waiau and the Inland Kaikōura Road, about 2 hours of driving.
Either works. Starting with Hanmer gives a gentle first day, while starting with Kaikōura can suit if the sea forecast is better early in your trip.
Day 3, from Kaikōura back to Christchurch, is around 180 km and about 2 hours 30 minutes.
Booking ahead is wise, especially in busy periods. Tours depend on sea conditions, so a flexible plan helps.