Christchurch - Timaru without dying of boredom?

[jbg]

I'm driving down to Oamaru tomorrow via Timaru. That part of SH1 is one of my least favourite roads in the country -- busy, straight and nothing good to look at. Does anyone have any suggestions for a more interesting route that's not too much longer?

[cheddar]

SH73 to Darfield.

SH77 to Rakaia Gorge and Geraldine

Pop back out onto SH1 at Winchester which is 25 minutes to Timaru

Google maps states 18 minutes difference over SH1

Zero traffic, stunning road and scenery.

Edited by cheddar on Saturday 11th August 08:31

[GravelBen]

Thats probably the only real alternative - I wouldn't go as far as calling it a stunning road, most of it is still pretty straight and uneventful. But more interesting than SH1 for sure.

[Fulvisti]

And the bonus of less traffic that way too usually. Not much you can do about it as stated above, it's a pretty boring drive.

[cheddar]

Perhaps I should have said 'With stunning bits of road'.

As for it being boring? Skirting the foothills of the Southern Alps is anything but.

Except today that is, be lucky to see roadsigns let alone towering snow covered mountains

[Fulvisti]

Yeah the view is fantastic, the road south not so much until after Geraldine if heading inland. If down the coast the road's really not very interesting. At least Timaru's not too far. Take someone to talk to that'll help!

[squawk7700]

Arthur's pass-Hokitika-Haast-Wanaka-Omarara-Oamaru.

[Fulvisti]

squawk7700 said:

Arthur's pass-Hokitika-Haast-Wanaka-Omarara-Oamaru.

That's a bit of a roundabout way to get to Timaru, but a really good drive. We're pretty lucky aren't we!