As the major hub of the South Island, and the largest city, it’s no surprise that there are tons of options for weekend trips from Christchurch. Whether you prefer hiking, stargazing or hot pools, there’s a weekend getaway from Christchurch to suit your tastes.
For visitors or locals looking for an overnight escape, this guide has all you need to know to sort out your transport, accommodation and activities for your weekend away from Christchurch.
Most of these trips work well year-round, although Akaroa, Lyttleton and Timaru are especially good in the summer when you can enjoy the beach while Mt Hutt is best in ski season and Lake Tekapo when it is surrounded by lupins (November and December).
While I travelled to and around Christchurch many times while living in New Zealand. Many of those times I flew in, so I’ve made sure to include a few options for Christchurch weekend trips without a car.
Best Weekend Trips from Christchurch
1. Akaroa
Akaroa is famous for being the only French town in New Zealand, established by French whalers back in the 1800s, which makes it a very unique place to visit from Christchurch. It’s also situated at the end of the beautiful Banks Peninsula which makes a great (if windy) drive.
What to do
How to get there
- Drive: 80km or 1 hour 25 minutes (the road is pretty windy so don’t eat right beforehand!)
- Public Transport: There is a direct bus run by French Connection
Where to stay
2. Greymouth
We had to have a West Coast option on this list and thanks to the TranzAlpine train you can make the journey across the South Island in comfort and enjoy the spectacular mountain views along the way before settling into Greymouth for a weekend on the wild West Coast.
What to do
How to get there
- Drive: 240km or 3 hours 15 minutes
- Public Transport: Take the TranzAlpine train
Where to stay
3. Hanmer Springs
Hanmer Springs is kind of like Christchurch’s spa retreat, known for its thermal hot pools and scenic alpine setting. If you’re after a relaxing weekend escape from Christchurch then this is the place to go.
What to do
- Enjoy a soak at Hanmer Springs, whether that’s barreling down the hydro slides or in one of the romantic rock pools with a special someone. Entry passes can be pre-booked for great value.
- Check out the trail network surrounding the village on a leisurely stroll or a more strenuous alpine hike
- Get pampered at the day spa with massages, a sauna and a steam room
- For the more adventurous, there are jetboating, quad-biking and bungy-jumping options. Click here to check prices for all Hanmer Springs activities
How to get there
- Drive: 130km or 1 hour 45 minutes
- Public Transport: There is a direct bus run by Hanmer Connections
Where to stay
- Hanmer Lodge Lake Villas are the more luxurious option in town with prime lakefront position and spacious apartment accommodations. Click here to check prices and book.
- Alpine Springs Motel is probably the nicest of the handful of motels in town but still fairly affordable with handy self-catering facilities. Click here to check prices and book.
4. Timaru
Timaru is one of the smaller cities in the South Island (just barely big enough to have an airport) and is often missed by tourists but it’s a great place to visit, especially in summer when you can make the most of the coastal location. Plus there are lots of free activities in Timaru so it’s good for those looking for cheap places to visit near Christchurch.
What to do
- Head to the beach. Caroline Bay, the main beach in Timaru, has heaps of space to spread out, play some volleyball, go for a swim or do whatever you want.
- Catch some live music at the Caroline Bay Soundshell (usually on weekends in summer)
- Spot blue penguins along the boardwalk near the beach (these penguins are smaller than the Akaroa ones and not as impressive but still cute)
- Explore historic Timaru town and pop into some free museums and galleries like the South Canterbury Museum, Atigantighe Gallery or the Te Ana Maori Rock Art Gallery
How to get there
- Drive: 160km or 2 hours
- Public Transport: Take the Intercity bus on the Christchurch-Invercargill route and you can hop off at Timaru
Where to stay
5. Lake Tekapo
Lake Tekapo is very high on the hit list of South Island attractions, with the little stone church on the shore of the unbelievably blue lake lined with purple lupins and ringed by snow-capped mountains. It’s easily one of the most Instagrammable locations in NZ.
What to do
- Get your photos by the lakefront next to the church (just beware the busloads of tourists)
- Enjoy a dark sky experience learning about astrology from the Maori perspective. Click here to check prices and book.
- Relax at Tekapo Springs hot pools
- Hike to the summit of Mt John (in summer before snow closes the track)
- Ski at Roundhill or Ohau Ski Area
How to get there
- Drive: 230km or 3 hours
- Public Transport: You can stop at Lake Tekapo on the Christchurch-Queenstown Intercity bus route
Where to stay
6. Lyttelton and the Port Hills
If you don’t want to travel far then Lyttelton and the Port Hills make the perfect mini-escape from Christchurch. You’ll feel far from the city but without having to spend hours getting there and you can enjoy both seaside and mountainous scenery.
What to do
- Hit the Saturday Farmers’ Market to stock up on delicious local produce for the weekend or put together your own picnic basket
- Take the ferry to Diamond Bay and walk the coastal track
- Go hiking in the Port Hills or on the Urumau Loop
- Jump onboard the Christchurch Gondola for spectacular views over the city
How to get there
- Drive: 15km or 20 minutes
- Public Transport: Take local bus 28 from the Christchurch Interchange
Where to stay
A lot of the accommodation in Lyttelton is privately-let holiday homes but Harbour Lodge is a good option that you can book by the room and stay close to the beach at Corsair Bay. Click here to check prices and book.
7. Kaikoura
Kaikoura is synonymous with whale watching an experience that is absolutely not to be missed, so if you haven’t made the trip up from Christchurch then add this one to your holiday list.
What to do
- Take a whale-watching cruise, this is one of the few places in the world where you’re likely to see whales year-round. Click here to compare prices and book.
- Try some other water activities like sea kayaking or scuba diving. Click here to compare prices and book.
- Walk the Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway which starts at the Point Kean seal colony
- Visit Mt Fyffe gin distillery for a tasting or three
How to get there
- Drive: 180km or 2 hours 30 minutes
- Public Transport: You can take the Coastal Pacific train from Christchurch Railway station or the Intercity bus on the Christchurch-Picton route
Where to stay
- The Sudima Hotel is perfect for those wanting a hotel experience that is steps from the beach. It’s newly opened so the facilities are all very clean and sparkling. Click here to check prices and book.
- For something a bit cheaper, the Kaikoura Gateway Motel is a well-appointed motel with full kitchens in the rooms that suit families or those staying longer. Click here to compare prices and book.
8. Methven
Methven is a picturesque ski-resort town that makes an ideal winter getaway from Christchurch.
What to Do
- Relax at the newly built Opuke Spa with mountain views and both a luxe adults-only area as well as a bomb zone and cave in the family pools.
- Go for a walk in the beautiful Mid-Canterbury highlands surrounded by snowy mountains.
How to get there
- Drive: 100km or 1 hour 15 minutes
- Public Transport: None available, although you can book a seat on the Methven Travel shuttle from Christchurch Airport for around $45pp
Where to stay the night
Ski Time offers modern two and three-bedroom apartments which suit families and groups, or basic lodge rooms, to suit couples and solo travellers. The onsite restaurant is known to be very good and draws in the local crowd as well as visitors. Click here to check prices and book.
9. Ashburton
Ashburton sits at the crosspoint of two of the South Island’s major rivers, the Rangitata and the Rakaia. Originally a farming town, it’s now known for the scenery of the Ashburton Lakes area and the many sports events hosted there from racing to rugby.
What to do
- Check out the free museums (there are six in town from trains to cars to planes to local history)
- Try some water sports at Lake Hood like jet skiing or kayaking
- Enjoy some walks in the town gardens or surrounding hiking trials, the Ashburton Lakes district is especially stunning in winter covered in snow
How to get there
- Drive: 90km or 1 hour 10 minutes
- Public Transport: You can get off at Ashburton on either the Christchurch-Invercargill or Christchurch-Queenstown routes
Where to stay
Accommodation in Ashburton is really just a handful of motels. While most are nice places to stay, especially Quality Suites which I’d recommend, there isn’t really anything at the luxury or backpacking end. The Suites is a spacious property with views of the golf course, not far from the town centre. Click here to check prices and book.
10. Mt Hutt
Mt Hutt has several times been voted the best ski field in New Zealand and has one of the longest ski seasons, opening around mid-June to late October/early November each year, meaning there is a big window of opportunity to visit from Christchurch and hit the slopes.
What to Do
- Get your skis (or snowboard) on to test out the 365 hectares of slopes from beginner to expert to enjoy with 3 chair lifts and 2 surface lifts.
- If you prefer something slightly less active then you could try the highest spa pool in the country.
- Celebrate apres-ski at either of the two restaurants or two bars on the mountain
- Race the family (or your mates) on toboggans
How to get there
- Drive: 115km or 1 hour 40 minutes
- Public Transport: None but there are private shuttles to and from Methven (book through Methven Travel) or Christchurch (book through Snowman Shuttles)
Where to stay the night
There is no on-mountain accommodation, so your best bet is to stay in nearby Methven, we recommend the Ski Time hotel. Click here to check prices and book.
11. Omarama
Omarama itself is something of a sleepy small town, one of the many nestled in the plains of the Mackenzie basin, but it has some great natural attractions and adventure activities that make it an exciting overnight trip from Christchurch.
What to do
- Visit the Omarama Cliffs, one of the best off-the-beaten-track locations in New Zealand. The clay cliffs were naturally formed millions of years ago, with spectacular shapes, and amazing viewpoints from both inside and outside the clay cliffs which you can hike between.
- Soak in the Omarama hot tubs. In these private outdoor tubs you can soak your body while soaking in the mountain views. It’s perfect if you’re looking for a romantic weekend activity.
- Try gliding, in New Zealand’s gliding capital. With Kahu Soaring, one of the best local providers, even beginners can safely try this thrilling way of exploring the countryside.
Where to stay
BigSky Motels is a good mid-range option close to the centre of Omarama with lots of extra facilities like ski storage, breakfast and a tennis court. Click here to check prices and book.
Otherwise, you can have a full Mackenzie Country farming experience at the Dunstan Downs High Country Sheep Station which is less central but guaranteed to be a memorable stay. Click here to check prices and book.
How to get there
- Drive: 320km or 4 hours
- Public Transport: You can hop off at Omarama on the Christchurch to Queenstown Intercity bus route
12. Geraldine
Geraldine is one of the best off-the-beaten-path towns in New Zealand and only a short drive from Christchurch with activities ranging from stargazing to artisan food or rafting.
What to do
- Rafting the Rangitata River. There are options for beginner to advanced rafters with rapids ranging up to grade 5 (trips run in summer only).
- Food tastings at Barkers of Geraldine and Geraldine Cheese Company
- Abseiling, zip-lining or canyon jumping at Kaumira Canyon
- Read more in my things to do in Geraldine guide
How to get there
- Drive: 140km or 1 hour 45 minutes
- Public Transport: You can hop off at Geraldine on the Christchurch to Queenstown Intercity bus route
Where to stay
The Wrap: Weekend Getaways from Christchurch
If this list hasn’t convinced you to book some overnight trips from Christchurch then I don’t know what will. There are so many options for everything from swimming to skiing in the Christchurch area so make sure to allow yourself plenty of time to get out there and explore.
If you’re looking for more South Island travel inspiration, then don’t forget to check out guides for:
Happy travelling!