TRIP 1 Blenheim to Kaikōura
Along the way, the landscape switches from coastline to vineyard. Admire rows of vines storming over the hills with satisfying uniformity – the very depiction of the New Zealand Classic Wine Trail.
T RIP 1
a journey through
Kaikōura
Blenheim to Kaikōura via SH 1 1hr 50min, 128km
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ou’ll need to leave a good amount of extra time for this drive if you factor in the stops you’ll be tempted to make to fully appreciate the spectacular coastline and approaches to Blenheim. Closed by the 2016 earthquake, it’s fascinating to drive this route now – just to appreciate the forces of nature still evident from the gigantic slips, and the magnificent feats of engineering gone into taming the effects of them. As you approach Kaikōura, the SH 1 between Clarence and Oaro (20 minutes south of Kaikōura) is stamped with 20 sites featuring locally designed sculptures and seven safe places to stop and see them. Also on SH 1 is Ohau Point; a favourite spot from which to view the seal colony.
TOP: Roadside north of Kaikōura © DWB LEFT: Seal pup, Kaikōura © Neil Protheroe
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M U S T D O ’ S • MA RLB OROUGH & N E LS ON
