Christchurch to West Coast Road Trip: The Best Stops You Can't Miss

Look, I’m not going to lie. The drive from Christchurch to the West Coast of New Zealand is one of those roads that truly catches you off guard. You start out in flat Canterbury farmland thinking “Yeah, this is nice,” and two hours later you’re winding through magical alpine passes wondering how the landscape changed so dramatically.

The 241 km South Island drive along State Highway 73 through Arthur’s Pass National Park (aka The Great Alpine Highway) takes up to 3.5 hours if you drive non-stop. But you’d be crazy to rush it! With breathtaking mountain scenery, geological wonders, short walks or day hikes, waterfalls and rivers, this is easily a half to full day trip (or more).

While there is a scenic TranzAlpine train from Christchurch to Greymouth (taking about 4.5 hours), this guide focuses on the road trip experience. If you’re interested in the train, check out the TranzAlpine info here.

Here’s your guide to making the most of the Christchurch to West Coast road trip.

Quick Trip Overview

• Distance: 241 km (149.75 miles)
• Drive time: 3.5 hours non-stop. 6-8 hours or more with stops.
• Fuel stops: Springfield or Darfield - last cheap spots before Arthur’s Pass.
• Cell coverage: Patchy after Springfield, can drop out completely.
• Road conditions: Fully sealed, winding roads.
• Campervan friendly: Lots of DOC campsites and holiday parks along the route.
• What to pack: Layers (weather can change fast), hiking boots, waterproof clothing, food and water.
• When to visit: October-April for reliably clear roads. May-September (winter months) brings snow and ice. Stunning, though you’ll need to bring snow chains and keep an eye on road closures.

First Stop: Christchurch to Sheffield (50 km)

Grab your Spaceships campervan from our Christchurch depot and you're ready to go! Just 45 minutes out of Christchurch you’ll reach the rural town of Sheffield. And honestly, the main reason to stop here is for the pies (oh, and fuel). Call into the award-winning World Famous Sheffield Pies for a proper New Zealand bakery breakfast. There’s nothing better than starting a road trip with pastry in hand! If pies aren’t your thing, they also do sandwiches, savouries and a range of baked sweets. Grab some food, fill up your fuel tank, use the public toilet if needed, and you’re set for the mountains ahead!

Bonus stop: Springfield. Just a few minutes down the road from Sheffield is Springfield. Spot the giant pink doughnut sculpture on the roadside, it’s a Simpsons thing. Silly but fun, and people often stop for a photo.

Amazing views on the road trip from Christchurch to the West Coast

Lake Lyndon

Winding up the foothills of the Southern Alps, you’ll notice the landscape start to change from the flat Canterbury Plains to golden tussock hills. As you cross through Porters Pass, you are now 939 m above sea level. The views from this area are stunning on a fine day and the Porters Alpine resort is open for skiing in the winter.

Lake Lyndon sits just off the highway and makes for a peaceful stop. Jump out, stretch your legs and enjoy the lake's mountain reflections. In the winter, the lake sometimes freezes over completely and locals toboggan on the surrounding slopes.

Castle Hill & Cave Stream

Welcome to limestone wonderland! The Castle Hill Rocks (located in the Kura Tawhiti Conservation Area) are a cluster of giant limestone boulders scattered across the hills, some towering up to 50 m high.

Park your campervan and take the 10-minute walk from the car park through the conservation area. The 360-degree views from the top are amazing! The prehistoric formations create natural corridors and caves, and you’ll spot fellow travellers bouldering and climbing. You could easily spend 30 minutes here, or a few hours if you're into exploring or photography.

Film lovers, you may even recognise this spot! Scenes from The Chronicles of Narnia were filmed here. Makes sense when you’re standing surrounded by the ancient otherworldly rocks.

Still anxious for more adventure? Drive a short way to Cave Stream Scenic Reserve to explore this pitch-dark, 594-metre-long cave. Grab your torch or switch on your headlamp and wade into waist-high water to enter the mouth of this natural wonder. Test your physical strength against strong currents as water swishes and swirls against the limestone rock before arriving at a deep pool and a 3-metre-high waterfall. Overall, the cave takes about 1 hour to walk through. Before you enter, make sure the water levels are safe and you have the right gear. Or, you can always just admire the cave from the entrance!

Lake Pearson (Moana Rua)

25 km from Castle Hill is Lake Pearson. A peaceful place to spend the night at the DOC campsite, stop for a picnic or spend time birdwatching. Walk around the shoreline of the lake or head to one of the many hiking trails in the area such as Bealy Spur Track. The 6 km out-and-back trail takes 2.5 hours one way and is more gradual than most alpine tracks. Wander through forest grasslands and mountain tarns until you reach a point where you can view a glacier-carved valley below, there's even a hut or places to camp at the top.

Lake Pearson (Moana Rua) Campsite in Winter

Arthur’s Pass

Roughly halfway into your Alpine Highway adventure you’ll land in Arthur’s Pass. This tiny alpine settlement sits 740 m above sea level and is proper mountain territory. It’s often misty, usually chilly and wet (averages 5.1°C and the annual rainfall is 2821 mm), and has a dramatic, moody vibe even in summer.

Call into the DOC Visitor Centre for walking track maps, weather updates, and info about the area's history and wildlife. Grab a coffee and lunch at the Alpine Parrot Cafe or Arthur’s Pass Cafe & Store and top up on fuel if needed.

Now about those alpine parrots, AKA kea. You’ll likely spot these cheeky birds around the village and car park. They’re curious, intelligent, and absolutely will destroy your campervan if given the chance. They have a reputation for pulling off seals, rubber strips and parts of wiper shields with their beaks. They’re protected and iconic but also genuinely mischievous.

Walks in Arthur’s Pass

Arthur’s Pass has a range of walks for every skill level. From quick 10 minute stops to full day hikes. Here are some good options depending on your time:

Devil’s Punchbowl Falls (1 hour return) - This is a must do! The popular and well-maintained track takes you through beech forest to the base of a powerful 131-metre waterfall.

Arthur’s Pass Walking Track (2-3 hours return) - Diverse vegetation, waterfalls, wetlands, and rich history.

Dobson Nature Walk (30 minutes return) - Easy short walk through native New Zealand forest. The alpine flowers are in bloom from November to February.

Avalanche Peak Track (6-8 hours return) - A steep, challenging climb to a 1,833 metre high peak with epic views. Suitable for experienced trampers with proper gear and good weather.

Temple Basin Track (3-4 hours return) - A challenging hike that climbs steeply up to the Temple Basin ski field, finishing at the Lockwood Day Shelter.

Otira Viaduct Lookout

Onwards to Otira Valley and the West Coast descent! Just 8 minutes from Arthur’s Pass is the Otira Viaduct Lookout. The viewpoint overlooks the 440-metre-long, winding Otira Viaduct, which spans rivers and breathtaking, mountainous scenery. The rural community of Otira still boasts some original buildings from the 1920s as well as the John Burns Gallery of Modern Art and the Otira Stage Coach Hotel. The atmosphere is pure old-school Kiwi with plenty of character and… Gollum?

A fun thing to do along this stretch of road is to spot where the river changes direction. On the eastern side of the Southern Alps, the rivers all flow towards the Pacific Ocean. But once you cross to the West Coast, the rivers flow west towards the Tasman Sea.

Jacksons

Still driving west on Highway 73, Jackson’s Retreat Alpine Holiday Park is ideal for a short break or longer stay with cosy cabins and a campground with covered sites. It’s a solid spot for a meal, a beer or for a walk, fishing or joining the free nighttime glow worm encounter.

If you’re headed through Inchbonnie and Lake Brunner area, don’t be surprised if it’s raining - the spot averages over 4.7 metres of rainfall a year, making it one of the wettest places in New Zealand. If you choose to stay here, book your motel or campsite and head outside to explore. All that rainfall creates a beautiful West Coast rainforest.  

Make sure to make a stop in Kumara on your road trip from Christchurch to the West Coast, especially if your Spaceships is named Kumara

Kumura

Kumura is the last small town on Highway 73 before you roll into Greymouth. The West Coast Wilderness Trail passes through here - a popular 133 km cycling route that winds through some stunning West Coast scenery.

Time to Relax in Greymouth

Or get active… At last, we reach the wide river mouth and windy Greymouth, where there are plenty of outdoor activities available. 4WD off-road tours, a challenging mud track quad bike tour or a pay a visit to Shantytown Heritage Park, a reproduction of a 19th-century gold mining town. A few kilometres north is Rapahoe Beach, which is a really cool place to visit for a refreshing swim during warmer summer months (December-February). Enjoy the wild black sand and Tasman Sea Views.

Head to Monteith's Brewing Co. for a tour and tasting session. While the beer is now brewed off-site, they still run the full brewery tour experience through the historic facility that's been part of Greymouth since 1868. And you still get to taste the beers! Even if you skip the tour, the brewery bar serves great food - their beer-battered fries are famous for a reason, and the drinks are still ice-cold.

Other things to do in Greymouth: check out the Left Bank Art Gallery, walk along the seawall and watch the river mouth (it can be wild), or grab fish and chips and relax after your mountain drive.

Where to Next? More Adventures Await!

You’ve conquered The Great Alpine Highway, but your West Coast adventure doesn’t have to end here. Greymouth is perfectly positioned for exploring both directions along the West Coast.

Heading North: drive 45 minutes to Punakaiki for the famous Pancake Rocks and Blowholes - layered limestone formations that look like stacks of pancakes. Time your visit with high tide for the best blowhole action.  Keep heading north and you’ll hit Westport, the Heaphy Track, and Cape Foulwind.

Heading South: Hokitika is 40 km south of Greymouth. Don’t miss the Hokitika Gorge with its unreal turquoise water, plus the town’s sunset beach and glow worm dell. Further south, Franz Josef and Fox Glacier offer bush walks, guided ice climbs, and helicopter tours over New Zealand’s most accessible glaciers.

However long you have to spend on the West Coast, make the most of it! This region is wild, beautiful and unlike anywhere else in New Zealand. Safe travels!

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