Christchurch to the West Coast

Route:

Tana and Petra begin their road trip in Christchurch where they visit the AMI Stadium, the Twisted Hop brewery, the Christchurch Gallery and Linwood Rugby Club. Heading off on the TranzAlpine train from Christchurch to the West Coast, they pass through the Southern Alps, along Arthur's Pass. On the West Coast Tana and Petra finish their road trip with a visit to the Punakaiki pancake rocks and Fox Glacier.

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Road Trip Highlights & Sidelines

Check out AMI Stadium

Photo by: Kim Christensen

AMI Stadium is Christchurch's premier outdoor sporting and entertainment venue located within walking distance of the central city. AMI Stadium is home to the Crusaders and Canterbury rugby teams and each year hosts New Zealand's famous All Blacks rugby team and national cricket team.

Visit the Twisted Hop

Photo by: The Twisted Hop

The Twisted Hop is the only brewery producing traditional English style cask conditioned ales on the South Island of New Zealand. So if you are dying for a proper pint come on down and enjoy one of our Real Ales brewed onsite.

See a Christchurch Gallery

The South Island's largest city, Christchurch is an entertaining mixture of refined lifestyle and cultural excitement. The tranquil Avon River meanders through the city, historic buildings house a lively arts community and restored trams make it easy for visitors to get around.

Linwood Rugby Club

Photo by: Fay Looney

The Linwood Rugby Club was formed in 1886. In 1973 it moved into their current location on Kearney's road. It is one of the few clubs in New Zealand to own both its own clubrooms and playing fields.

The TranzAlpine Experience

Photo by: Tourism New Zealand

The TranzAlpine is the easiest and most comfortable way to appreciate the grandeur of the Southern Alps. The train travels between Christchurch and Greymouth over Arthur's Pass. From your carriage you'll see the Canterbury Plains, spectacular gorges, vast river valleys, soaring mountains and - as you approach the west coast - lush rainforest and historic settlements.

Arthur's Pass

Photo by: Tourism New Zealand

Following a historic route through the mighty Southern Alps, Arthur's Pass is fantastically scenic. Maori people first used the route to bring treasured pounamu (jade) from the rugged West Coast to Canterbury on the eastern side of the mountain ranges. Early European explorers were told of the route by local Maori people, and in time a road and railway were built.

Explore the West Coast

Photo by: Rob Suisted

With a population of only 31,000 people, the West Coast retains the feeling of a pioneer frontier. It's a wild place known for rivers and rainforests; glaciers and geological treasures. Legends and stories from the past cling to every feature of the landscape. Maori were first to discover the West Coast, seeking sacred pounamu (nephrite jade or greenstone). Gold fever in the 1860s brought Europeans, many of whom stayed on to start farming, forestry and businesses.

Fox Glacier

Photo by: Gareth Eyres

Fox Glacier, like its twin, Franz Josef, descends from the Southern Alps down into temperate rainforest just 300 metres above sea level. To see the glacier, you can walk to the terminal face, arrange an ice-hiking adventure or book a sightseeing flight. There are glow worm caves just a short walk from the town centre, which offers a good choice of cafes and restaurants.

Punakaiki Pancake Rocks

Photo by: David Wall

The incredible layered rock formations in the Paparoa National Park never fail to amaze. Visit Punakaiki's 'pancake rocks' at high tide during a westerly swell and you can watch the blowholes perform. Water squeezes through vertical cracks in the rocks and shoots skyward like a geyser.