Inland Scenic Route 72 by Campervan: Rakaia Gorge, Mount Hutt and Geraldine

Quick summary: The Inland Scenic Route 72 is the campervan and motorhome traveller’s alternative to State Highway 1, running along the foot of the Southern Alps instead of across the open plains. It links small towns, river gorges and mountain views between North Canterbury and Geraldine, passing the turquoise Rakaia Gorge, the ski town of Methven beneath Mount Hutt, the walks of Mount Somers and the ancient forest of Peel Forest. Drive it as a short trip on its own, or as the scenic leg of a loop to Lake Tekapo.

At a glance
Route	Inland Scenic Route 72, along the foothills from North Canterbury to Geraldine
Distance from Christchurch	Around 85 km to the Rakaia Gorge; around 160 km to Geraldine via the inland route
Suggested time	1–3 nights, or a full day as part of a longer loop
Road	Sealed; mostly gentle, with hills and bends around the Rakaia Gorge
Key stops	Oxford, the Waimakariri Gorge, Windwhistle, the Rakaia Gorge, Methven, Mount Somers, Mayfield, Peel Forest, Geraldine
Signature experiences	Jet boating, the Rakaia Gorge walkway, hot-air ballooning, Mount Somers walks
Overnight options	Holiday parks and campgrounds in the foothill towns, DOC campsites
Best for	Travellers who prefer quiet roads and mountain views to the main highway

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Why take the inland route?

Because the main highway south crosses the plains in long, straight lines, while Route 72 hugs the foothills, where the scenery is constantly changing. The Southern Alps fill the western horizon, rivers spill out of mountain gorges, and the towns are small, friendly and full of character. Traffic is lighter, too, which makes for relaxed driving.

What are the best stops along Route 72?

Stop	Distance from Christchurch	Time to allow	Campervan notes
Oxford	Around 55 km	30 min	Foothills town with cafés and forest walks
Waimakariri Gorge	Around 60 km	30 min to half a day	Gorge bridge and jet boating
Windwhistle	Around 70 km	10 min	Junction with the road to Lake Coleridge
Rakaia Gorge	Around 85 km	1–2 hours	Turquoise river, bridges and walkway
Methven	Around 95 km	1 hour to overnight	Base for Mount Hutt; cafés and services
Mount Somers	Around 120 km	1 hour to a day	Walks and a gateway to the Ashburton Lakes
Mayfield	Around 130 km	15 min	Small farming village
Peel Forest (detour)	Around 150 km	Half a day	Ancient tōtara forest and the Rangitata River
Geraldine	Around 160 km via the inland route	1 hour	Country town and junction for Lake Tekapo

Oxford and the Waimakariri Gorge

Oxford is a quiet town at the edge of the foothills, with walks in the nearby forest park. Just south, the Waimakariri River emerges from its gorge beneath a bridge, and jet boats run upriver into the canyon.

The Rakaia Gorge

The Rakaia Gorge is the highlight of the route. The braided Rakaia River squeezes into a narrow gorge of vivid blue-green water, crossed by two bridges. The Rakaia Gorge Walkway follows the gorge past old coal-mining sites to lookouts over the river, and jet boats run through the canyon.

Methven and Mount Hutt

Methven is a lively small town that becomes a ski village in winter, as the base for the Mount Hutt ski area. In summer, it is a centre for walking, mountain biking and hot-air ballooning over the plains. The road up to the ski area is steep and unsealed, so in winter most visitors take a shuttle from Methven rather than driving their own vehicle.

Mount Somers and the Ashburton Lakes

Mount Somers is the gateway to Hakatere Conservation Park and the high-country Ashburton Lakes, including Lake Clearwater. Nearby Mount Sunday was the setting for Edoras in the Lord of the Rings films, and guided Lord of the Rings tours visit it from Christchurch. The Mount Somers walks range from short forest loops to a multi-day track around the mountain. The roads into the lakes are partly unsealed; see our sister site’s guide to roads to check in your rental terms.

Peel Forest and Geraldine

A short detour from the route leads to Peel Forest, where ancient tōtara trees, some hundreds of years old, grow in one of the largest remaining podocarp forests on the eastern side of the South Island. Nearby, the Rangitata River offers white-water rafting. The route ends at Geraldine, a leafy town with cafés and craft shops.

What tours and experiences are available along Route 72?

• Jet boating in the Waimakariri and Rakaia gorges.
• Hot pools at Methven, a relaxing soak with views of the mountains. See Methven hot pools.
• Hot-air ballooning from Methven at dawn, floating over the plains with the mountains behind.
• White-water rafting on the Rangitata River near Peel Forest.
• Horse trekking in the foothills and high-country stations.
• Skiing at Mount Hutt in winter, with shuttles from Methven.
• Walking at the Rakaia Gorge, Mount Somers and Peel Forest.

Is Route 72 easy to drive in an RV?

Yes. It is sealed throughout and quieter than State Highway 1, with mostly gentle terrain. The most demanding part is the descent into and climb out of the Rakaia Gorge, which has bends and grades but is entirely manageable at a steady pace. Watch for stock and farm vehicles, and for wind across the open stretches when a nor’wester blows.

Where can you stay overnight?

• Holiday parks and campgrounds in Oxford, Methven, Mount Somers and Geraldine.
• Campsites near the Rakaia Gorge, by the river.
• DOC campsites at Peel Forest and in the high country around Mount Somers.
• Self-contained freedom camping is possible in a few places along the route, but only for certified self-contained vehicles and only where the Selwyn, Ashburton or Timaru district council permits it. See our Canterbury freedom camping guide.

How should you use Route 72 on a trip?

• A one- or two-night trip: Drive to the Rakaia Gorge and Methven, stay a night, then return to Christchurch via State Highway 1 or continue to Mount Somers and Peel Forest.
• As part of a Lake Tekapo loop: Drive to Tekapo via State Highway 1 and Fairlie, then return via Geraldine and Route 72. See our Lake Tekapo guide and our 7-day Mackenzie itinerary.
• With the high country: link Route 72 with Lake Coleridge from Windwhistle.

Where are fuel and supplies?

Oxford, Methven and Geraldine have supermarkets or general stores and fuel. Services are sparse between towns, so fill up when you can. See our stocking up guide.

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Frequently Asked Questions