This is one of the best drives to ease into a South Island road trip. The route south from Christchurch to Dunedin follows State Highway 1 through the Canterbury Plains and along the east coast — passing through historic small towns, farming heartland, and some genuinely great places to eat. The roads are generally straight with two-way single lanes and plenty of passing stretches, so it's a relaxed drive with no white-knuckle moments. A few more bends appear after Timaru before you climb over the Kilmog Hill and drop into Dunedin. You could drive it in under five hours, but with the stops along the way, plan for a full day and enjoy it.
⚡ At a Glance
Distance360 km / 224 miles
Drive Time4.5–5 hours non-stop
Recommended TimeFull day with stops
RouteState Highway 1 (SH1)
Road DifficultyEasy — mostly flat and straight
Best ForFirst day driving in NZ
Fuel StopsAshburton, Timaru, Oamaru
HighlightsMoeraki Boulders, Riverstone Kitchen, Oamaru
The Route — Stop by Stop
Once you've had a look around Christchurch, set out on your South Island adventure by heading south. This drive is a great way to get used to New Zealand roads and driving, with lots of interesting and historic small towns along the way. Here's every stop worth making.
1
Dunsandel
45 min from Christchurch
Your first chance to stop and try a proper New Zealand pie. The Dunsandel Store is a classic Kiwi roadside stop — grab a mince and cheese or a steak pie and a flat white. It's the kind of place that sets the tone for the whole trip.
💡 Glenn's tip: Don't skip the pie. It's a New Zealand road trip tradition.
2
Rakaia
55 min from Christchurch
Famous as the "Salmon Capital of New Zealand." The Rakaia River is one of the best salmon fishing rivers in the country, and the town has a giant salmon statue on the main road to prove it. Even if you're not fishing, it's a good spot to stretch your legs and take a photo with the big fish.
3
Ashburton
1 hour from Christchurch
The main service town for the Mid-Canterbury farming district. It's not going to win any beauty contests, but it's a practical stop for fuel, a supermarket run, or a quick coffee. The Ashburton Aviation Museum is surprisingly good if you've got time to spare.
4
Timaru
2 hours from Christchurch
A proper South Canterbury town with a fantastic foreshore at Caroline Bay — hugely popular with Kiwi families during the Christmas holidays. The bay has a safe swimming beach, a boardwalk, and good cafes nearby. If you're making good time, this is a great place for lunch or a walk along the waterfront. The South Canterbury Museum is free and worth a look.
💡 Glenn's tip: Caroline Bay is a great leg-stretcher, especially if you've got kids in the car.
5
Riverstone Kitchen
3 hours from Christchurch (just before Oamaru)
This is a must-stop. Riverstone Kitchen sits just off the highway before you reach Oamaru, and it's one of the best restaurants in the South Island — seriously. Chef Bevan Smith uses produce from the on-site garden and local farms. Even if you just stop for a coffee and a slice of cake, you'll be glad you did. The setting is beautiful too, with gardens and a gallery to wander.
💡 Glenn's tip: This is the food stop on this drive. Don't miss it.
6
Oamaru
3.5 hours from Christchurch
Oamaru is a gem. The Victorian Precinct is one of the best-preserved collections of historic commercial buildings in New Zealand, built from the local creamy-white Oamaru stone. Wander the old streets, check out the art galleries and vintage shops, and look out for the Steampunk HQ — a quirky museum in the historic quarter. In the evening, Oamaru has a little blue penguin colony right in town where you can watch penguins waddle ashore at dusk.
💡 Glenn's tip: On the left as you arrive is the Rainbow Confectionery factory with a shop selling "seconds" at discount prices. Stock up on cheap lollies here.
7
Moeraki Boulders
4 hours from Christchurch
These extraordinary spherical boulders scattered along Koekohe Beach were once a mystery of the natural world — nobody could explain why they were so perfectly round. We now know they're septarian concretions that formed on the ancient sea floor over millions of years and were gradually exposed by coastal erosion. They're free to see and easily accessed from the highway. Walk down to the beach at low tide for the best experience.
8
Moeraki Village
Just past the Boulders
The tiny fishing settlement of Moeraki is worth a quick detour off the highway. Wander down to the old wharf and watch the fishing boats come in. The village was once home to the legendary Fleurs Place restaurant, but sadly it closed permanently during the pandemic. There are still a couple of small cafes in the area, or you can grab fish and chips from the Moeraki Boulders Cafe back on the highway.
9
Palmerston & Hampton
4.5 hours from Christchurch
After Moeraki you drive through Palmerston, a small highway town, and nearby Hampton (population 304) — a curious little place where all the streets are named after locations in England. It's a blink-and-you-miss-it kind of stop, but a nice bit of trivia for the drive.
10
The Kilmog Hill & into Dunedin
Final stretch
The last section of the drive takes you over the Kilmog — a winding hill with good views if visibility is clear. From here it's a steady descent into Dunedin, the South Island's second-largest city and one of New Zealand's most characterful. The Scottish heritage, university town energy, street art, and world-class wildlife (penguins, albatross, sea lions) make it well worth at least a couple of nights.
🏠 Where to Stay in Dunedin
Dunedin has great accommodation for all budgets — from heritage hotels in the city centre to lodges near the Otago Peninsula wildlife.
Practical Tips
This is a great first-day drive. If you've just arrived in New Zealand and aren't used to driving on the left, the Christchurch to Dunedin route is ideal — mostly straight, low traffic, and forgiving roads. Get your confidence up before tackling the mountain passes further south.
- Fuel up in Christchurch before you leave. Fuel is cheapest in cities. Ashburton and Timaru both have fuel stations, but prices climb the further south you go.
- Take your time. This drive rewards stops. If you blast through in four hours you'll miss the best bits.
- Check the weather. Canterbury can be windy, especially on the plains between Christchurch and Ashburton. If it's a nor'wester, expect gusts across open farmland.
- Moeraki Boulders are best at low tide. Check tide times before you go — at high tide several of the boulders are underwater.
- Consider stopping overnight in Oamaru. If you're not in a rush, Oamaru deserves more than a quick drive-through. The blue penguin colony viewing is at dusk, so an overnight stay lets you see it without rushing.
One-way car rentals: If you're renting a car, check whether your rental company charges a one-way drop-off fee for picking up in Christchurch and dropping off in Dunedin (or vice versa). Some do, some don't. DiscoverCars lets you compare one-way options easily.
What's Next?
From Dunedin, the classic South Island road trip continues to the Catlins (rugged, remote and beautiful), then on to Invercargill and Te Anau for Fiordland and Milford Sound. Or you can head straight to Queenstown via the inland route — about 3.5 hours of stunning scenery through the Kawarau Gorge.
🎪 Explore Dunedin & Otago Tours
Wildlife tours, Speight's Brewery, Larnach Castle, Taieri Gorge Railway and more.