Hitchhiking is legal in New Zealand and Christchurch is a relatively easy city to hitch out of, though you'll need to get yourself to the right spot first. Kiwis are generally a friendly bunch and will regularly stop for hitchhikers, especially if you look like a traveller with a backpack. The key is getting to a point on the state highway where drivers are heading out of town and can safely pull over. Here's how to do it in each direction.
Heading North — Kaikoura & Picton
If you're heading north towards Kaikoura and Picton (for the ferry to the North Island), you want to get on State Highway 1 heading north. Take a bus from the Christchurch Bus Interchange towards the northern suburbs — Redwood or Belfast are good areas to start from. Find a spot where drivers are already heading north on SH1 and can safely pull over. You should be able to reach Picton in a day if you start early.
Heading South — Dunedin, Queenstown & Invercargill
To head south on State Highway 1 towards Dunedin, Invercargill or Queenstown, you need to get to the southern outskirts. Take a bus from the Interchange south towards Templeton or Rolleston. Get off where SH1 heads out of the urban area, and find a safe spot where drivers heading south can see you and pull over. A clear destination sign helps enormously here — "Dunedin" or "Queenstown" will attract the right drivers.
Heading West — Arthur's Pass & West Coast
Getting across to the West Coast takes longer because the traffic is much lighter. You want to get on State Highway 73 heading west. Take a bus towards Yaldhurst on the western side of the city. Walk west along Yaldhurst Road (SH73) and find a good hitching spot. Be prepared for a longer wait — the West Coast road gets far less traffic than SH1 north or south.
Tips for Hitching in NZ
- Appearance matters. Look tidy and approachable. If you're carrying a large backpack, keep it visible — people are more likely to stop for travellers as they're usually friendly and have good stories.
- Make a sign. Write your destination clearly with "please" at the bottom. A polite sign makes a real difference. It's also handy as an umbrella if the weather turns.
- Start early. Give yourself the whole day, especially for longer distances like Christchurch to Picton.
- Pick your spot carefully. You want somewhere drivers can see you from a distance and safely pull over. Near a motorway on-ramp or just past a roundabout on the highway is usually good.
- Be patient. Some waits are short, some are long. The West Coast route is always slower than SH1.
