The reason is it can be taken as a complete separate journey for someone who wants to tour the South Island only ( whoops don't tell any North Islander this or I won't be allowed back)
NORTH FROM CHRISTCHURCH TO BLENHEIM - STATE HIGHWAY ONE
We returned to Christchurch from the previous trip as we had to be home to receive guests...and it allowed us a little time to catch up on the necessities and drudgeries of life.All completed we left in the afternoon to head towards the top of the South.It rained and then it rained some more...but the scenery was beautiful and every time a truck went past us the car was washed so all was not bad!
The journey to Kaikoura is only 2.5 hours and takes you through verdant farm land, the Wineries of the Waipara Valley (resplendent in their autumn colours) and onto the magnificent coastal road that stretches up from Kaikoura almost into Blenheim and the Wineries of Marlborough .
The Waipara region is famous for Food ,Wine & Festivals - namely Reisling (superb dry & fruity- not the sticky sweet wines normally associated with those grapes.I don't knock dessert wines though - served chilled on a summer's day- it's as close to heaven as the All Blacks winning the World Rugby Cup!)
Kaikoura is famous for seafood (especially Crayfish - just like Lobster - but dare I say nicer?) Dolphin Swimming and Whale Watching.
The Kaikoura journey can be undertaken as a fabulous day trip from Christchurch and by taking the inland route for one leg and taking in Hanmer Springs ( Alpine Spa Town) you can complete the Alpine Pacific Triangle
(map courtesy NZ Tourism)
which is one of the great themed routes that can be found on
the official New Zealand Tourism site www.newzealand.com.
This site is well worth exploring especially for the driving routes under the Themed Highways
- you can explore the best we have to offer - choose your destinations and accommodation and be on your way.
Don't forget that the following two sites offer some of the best B&B accommodation in NZ - and both select members by invitation only : Heritage & Character Inns of New Zealand plus 5 Star Accommodation .The latter now has a pre-paid voucher system which can alleviate the stress while Heritage Inns has a simple online booking system with one CC entry.
Did I mention the rain....well it continued up most of the coast road but the pounding seas made the journey very impressive and just as we drove into Blenheim (4.5hours from Christchurch) we were greeted by wintry sunshine and the magnificent autumn colours of the vineyards of the Awatere Valley( part of the great Marlbourgh wine region - it was such a site I was wondering where I would find the pearly gates!
In the map below I have shown the inland part of this route via Culverden to Kaikoura (shown as a return journey - Google sometimes works harder not smarter!)
Blenheim is a destination in itself and a must for all wine buffs - it is easily reached from Christchurch or the West Coast of the South Island as well it is close to Picton and the ferry terminals for the Inter Island Ferries from Wellington in the North Island.It is possible to visit the wineries and a lot of fun if you cycle with a guide!
We spent a wonderful night at The Peppertree in Blenheim - a fabulous 5 star Qualmark graded property owned and operated by Werner & Heidi Pluss.This is a
beautiful historic house with it's own vineyard.The hosting is magnificent and the food divine - if I could award 6 stars to Heidi & Werner then I would!
The following morning dawned bright and frosty and after a bit of exploration of the area we headed north the final few Kms to Picton - the port town - where the Ferries arrive and depart for the North Island.
To be continued...as it is nearly Wine o'clock ...and I feel the need to open a bottle of Redwood Pass Sav Blanc ...from the Awatere Valley.
No comments:
Post a Comment