TRIP 15 Christchurch to Timaru Castle Hill Conservation Area © Adobe Stock
T RIP 15
a journey through
Timaru
SIDE TRIP
Christchurch to Pleasant Point to Timaru via SH 1 2hr 2min, 180km
Timaru to Waimate via SH 1 34min, 44.3km
130 | M U S T D O ’ S • CA N T E RB URY
C
hristchurch to Timaru on SH 1 is straight and easy, through wide open rural South Island with views of the Southern Alps for company. It’s serious farming territory with plenty of little towns and settlements along the way, all able to provide refreshments and other reasons to stop. Rākaia is the first town you’ll come to, about 57km south of Christchurch. Here, you’ll cross the longest bridge in the southern hemisphere. Ashburton is a mature, interesting town. It’s between Rākaia and Rangitata rivers so is an ideal base for fishing and watersports. At Timaru, a detour inland on SH 8 leads to Pleasant Point. It’s just over two hours drive to Pleasant Point from Christchurch. Having enjoyed time there, it’s back on track toward the coast again and onwards to Timaru, only 19km away.
