A good place to start a driving tour of the South Island is Christchurch, the largest city on the South island, located on the east coast on Pegasus Bay. Christchurch was hit by a 6.5 magnitude earthquake on 22 February 2011, which killed 185 people and although rebuilding efforts are still underway in places the vibrancy of this city today further demonstrates the strong spirit of this country. Daily trips on the Tranzalpine, one of the world’s most scenic trips, take people through lush valleys, mountain gorges, over rivers and across the island to Greymouth on the west coast. Other attractions include day trips into the southern alps, kayak and jet boat rides, and cultural experiences that traditional Maori singing, dancing, and food. Around 75 kilometers south of Christchurch is the scenic bay area of Akaroa, where a wide range water sports is available including excursions to swim with dolphins.
No discussion of seafood trails in New Zealand is complete without reference to the town of Kaikoura, a 180km drive north of Christchurch along New Zealand’s State Highway 1, or SH1, with plenty of scenery and side trip options along the way. Kaikoura is famous for whales, providing the extremely rare opportunity to see sperm whales year round, as well as minke, southen right and humpback. Sightseeing tours also feature dolphins, New Zealand fur seals, and a range of seabirds including albatross. Crayfish are prolific along this spectacularly rugged coastline and readily available, including famously at food caravans parked right on the beach. In fact the very name of the town means ‘eat crayfish’ (kai meaning ‘eat’, koura meaning ‘crayfish’).
Volcanoes and earthquakes mark great clashes between the Australian and Pacific tectonic plates that grind against each other right under New Zealand, and earthquakes are indeed a part of life in this geographically young and evolving land. On 14 November 2016 the massive 7.8 magnitude Kaikoura earthquake once again shattered the island, shaking up the many mountains and cliffs here and causing damage to some of the important roads, bridges trails and mountain passages in the area. Huge scars in the majestic scenery along the coastal route north from Kaikoura declare the awesome power of nature in this part of the world, where towering mountain ranges form a backdrop for rugged seascapes and surf beaches that SH1 hugs as it ventures north.
In addition to the spectacle of scenery along this famous stretch of road, consider some of New Zealand’s renowned adventure activities available here, including white water rafting in the town of Clarence, surfing the great breaks around Mangamaunu, and trekking to Sawcut Gorge. Further north there are wonderful forested bays, trails and headlands to explore, with beachside camping at places like Robin Hood Bay and Whites Bay, and although visibility can be variable, divers can find excellent locations for crayfish and paua in this remote area,
Blenheim is the gateway to New Zealand’s most famous wine region. Marlborough has the perfect combination of soils and brilliant weather for wine. Originally famous for its internationally acclaimed Sauvignon Blanc, there are now many varieties made in the numerous wineries around here, including Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Pinot Nois. Predictably for the region that produces 75% of New Zealand wine, there are a range of wine tours, cellar doors and tasting events. There are also vineyards with accommodation, and vineyard restaurants with wine matching options. The Marlborough Food and Wine Festival in February each year is a great way to experience the bet produce of this area, with local specialties that include pork belly, venison burgers, local cheeses, lamb, and smoked meats.
Around 28km north of Blenheim, Picton is the launching pad for adventures in the magnificent Marlborough Sounds. The Marlborough Sounds are a dreamy collection of peaceful waterways, secluded beaches and secret bays, surrounded by lush New Zealand bushland. Much of New Zealand’s finest seafood come from Marlborough Sound, including 75% of the king salmon and 70% of the greenlip mussel produced. There is certainly a lot of coast to explore here, the Marlborough Sounds consist of Kenepuru, Pelorus, Mahau, and Queen Charlotte Sounds, accounting for a fifth of New Zealand’s total coastline. No surprise that there are a range of boating activities available. Charters and tours are available for sightseeing, fishing and diving. Walkers can do the Queen Charlotte Track, a multi-day trek which winds along the beautiful bays and bushlands and along hillcrests providing breathtaking scenery of Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru Sounds. Perhaps the ideal activity for seafood lovers here is a seafood cruise, where you get to taste the greatest salmon and mussels in the world paired with some of the world’s greatest sauvignon blanc.
Known as one of the most scenic coast roads in the world, Queen Charlotte Drive connects Picton to the picturesque town of Havelock with 35km of twisting, turning, up and down road that follows the shoreline of Queen Charlotte and Pelorus Sounds. This drive is a must for South Island self-drive holidays with countless tiny bays, valleys, and beaches to explore, all surrounded by lush New Zealand wilderness. There are holidays parks and campsites perfectly placed to take in the scenery as well. Havelock is known as the greenlip mussel capital of the world, and there is not trouble finding fresh seafood here (Havelock is known as the greenlip mussel capital of the world), with local honey also being a specialty of the area.
Around 74km east of Havelock is the exciting centre of Nelson. Nelson offers all the conveniences of a modern city but with access to an incredible range of different natural highlights, from glorious beaches to mountain ranges, from still clear lakes to racing rivers and crystal clear streams. Sailing, kayaking, hiking, and trout are attractions year-round, and foodies can experience vinyards, orchards, local cheeses, cured meats and a terrific Saturday market that showcases other local products. New Zealanders love beer, and Nelson produces all of the hops for it. There are beer tasting tours and craft breweries to visit, and the local ciders are also highly regarded. Nelson also offers access to the remote Abel Tasman National Park at the northernmost point of the South Island, another pristine set of beaches surrounded by beautiful bushland and with many native birds, plus penguins, seals, and dolphins cruising the waterways.
Introduced in the 1860s, trout are prolific in New Zealand. With so many cool clear rivers and mountain lakes conditions are absolutely perfect, and fishermen catch brown and rainbow trout and salmon as well. Big brown trout are the target around Nelson for fishermen. Two great trout river systems feed the area, the Motueaka and Rai rivers. Guides here will take you to the some of the very best trout fishing destinations on the planet, and perhaps south along State Highway 6 into the towering mountain ranges of Nelson Lakes National Park and legendary fishing lakes like Rotoroa and Rotoiti, which both cater for camping and campervans.
To reach another one of the world’s most scenic coastal roads you travel 220km south-east of Nelson towards Westport, and the Great Coast Road Drive. Tracing 100km of remote and wild shoreline, this stretch of road is carved into the jagged edges of mountains, headlands, rocky foreshores and remote sandy stretches, towards the town of Greymouth. Tourist attractions here are caving near Charleston, rock formations such as pancake rocks and the blowholes in Paparoa National Park near to Punikaiki, fishing in the Ngakawau and Mokihinui river systems, and further south below Greymouth, the epic Fox and Franz Josef glaciers.
To compliment this wild and dramatic landscape, there is plenty of wild food to experience. The Hokita Wild Food Festival in March each year showcases a variety of meats, fish and shellfish that are found here. The west coast is famous for whitebait, and the Westport whitebait festival in October is a great way to taste this delicacy in the area where people are craziest about it. A huge range of accommodation options are also available for people on driving or campavan tours. Holiday parks, wilderness, coastal and alpine camping areas from five star to cheap and cheerful are easy to find and book from websites and with a little more searching, and some tips from locals and fellow travelers, you will find the perfect place for you.
Seafood Trails 