BY AIR Air NZ services are fully operational from Auckland Upper South Island and Wellington to Blenheim and Nelson with additional services from Christchurch to Nelson. Touring Routes www.airnewzealand.co.nz Sounds Air has daily direct services 24/05/17 between Christchurch and Marlborough and a new temporary service Marlborough – Kaikoura – Christchurch and return. www.soundsair.com SH 1 is closed to through BY FERRY All ferry services with traffic between Blenheim Interislander and and Christchurch. Bluebridge sailings are fully operational. The road is open between Blenheim and Clarence, but is down to one BY BUS lane in multiple places, therefore extra care is needed. InterCity has a daily bus For vehicles travelling from the top of the south (Picton) to Christchurch, there service in each direction are three routes to consider. (Roads will be busy so patience is required with between Christchurch and Picton, travel congestion expected in areas around townships.) and Christchurch and Nelson, with a connecting service between Nelson and 1. Picton-Blenheim (SH 1) – St Arnaud-Murchison (SH 63/SH 6) – Picton. www.intercity.co.nz Lewis Pass-Hanmer Springs (SH 65/SH 7 & 7a) – Christchurch (SH 7/SH 1). The return coach service between TRAVEL TIME • allow a minimum of 7½ hours. Limited accommodation at Christchurch & Kaikoura is now running again. Service 8728 will depart St Arnaud and Murchison. More availability at Hanmer Springs. Christchurch at 7:00am, arriving in The bridge across the Wye River on SH63 is temporarily closed, and vehicles Kaikoura at 9:40am. Service 8727 will must cross the river through a ford. NZTA traffic mangers will be on-site until depart Kaikoura at 3:50pm & arrive in the bridge re-opens to ensure all traffic crosses safely. Christchurch at 6:25pm. Buses will also 2. Picton-Nelson (SH 1/SH 62/SH 6) – Murchison-Lewis Pass (SH 6/SH 65) stop at towns and communities along – Hanmer Springs (SH 7 & 7a) – Christchurch (SH 7/SH 1). the route, including Cheviot & Amberley. TRAVEL TIME • allow a minimum of 8½ hours. Limited accommodation at The timings make it possible to do Whale St Arnaud and Murchison. More availability at Hanmer Springs. Watch and Dolphin/Encounter day trips 3. Picton-Murchison (SH 1/SH 62/SH 63/SH 6) – Greymouth (SH 69/SH 7) or on most days & also allow for visitors Nelson-Murchison-Greymouth (SH 6/SH 69/ SH 7) – Christchurch via staying overnight & catching the service Arthur’s Pass (SH 73). back to Christchurch the following day. TRAVEL TIME • allow a minimum of 10 hours. Allow time in your itinerary for an overnight stay. KAIKOURA MARINA Itineraries could include travelling south to Franz Josef from Greymouth and “New legislation fast tracked (29 Nov 2016) continuing on to Wanaka and Queenstown. today will allow the South Bay Marina to be dredged so tourism and commercial fishing t is important you do not drive when you are tired. Fatigue affects drivers’ operators can use the marina on all tides. reactions, ability to concentrate and risk judgement. Stopping and getting a good This will be extremely helpful for operators Inight’s sleep is the only cure, along with taking regular breaks. to get back to a business as usual status as If you are arriving on a ferry from the North Island and planning to drive an quickly as possible.” alternate route from Piction to Christchurch because SH 1 is closed, you Glenn Ormsby, Destination may not wish to travel the entire route, with a minimum average travel Kaikoura time of 7.5 hours, in one go. Accommodation will need to be booked in advance. South Bay Marina has been operating at minimal capacity due The above routes are suitable for motorhomes, and vehicles towing to changes in high tide & low tide caravans, boats and trailers, but have some narrow sections, multiple accessibility. The region’s two major one-way bridges and, in places, have limited cellphone coverage. marine vessel companies, Whalewatch There are many places to stop en route and some excellent sights Kaikoura & Encounter Kaikoura are and attractions. Along the Picton to Christchurch alternate route (shown working closely with central government in blue on the map), there are rest stops available with fuel, food and & relevant parties to resolve this matter toilet facilities at Blenheim, Renwick, St Arnaud, Murchison, Springs Junction and within a few weeks. For up-to-date Culverden. information, visit www.kaikoura.co.nz. GO Collingwood
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