Picton to Kaikoura

Leaving Picton south on SH1 you drive through the Koromiko Valley past Mt Pleasant, the Picton Airport and the township of Koromiko - the road follows the Main Trunk Railway all the way.

After passing through Grovetown you will soon come to Blenheim; the largest city in the Nelson and Marlborough regions. There are many attractions here, great restarants and cafés and wineries to explore.

Leave Blenheim southeast on SH1 through Riverlands. If you have time, take one of the next two left turns to explore the Big Lagoon. This huge waterway is part of the Wairau River Delta separated from the sea by Boulder Bank.

Back on SH1 continue in a south-easterly direction through Dashwood and Seddon. If you want to stay and explore the region, there is a good motor camp right here.

A little further down the highway, take a left turn to see the vast salt ponds of Lake Grassmere. In late summer certain phases of the process turn the ponds iridescent shades of pink and purple.

If you continue past Hauwai you can take the road all the way to the Cape Campbell lighthouse for spectacular views north to Wellington and the Marlborough Sounds.

Leaving southeast on SH1 again, you will pass Taimate, Ward and arrive on the east coast with its spectacular beaches and rolling surf.

For about the next 40km you will follow the coast to the Clarence River Delta.

Leaving Clarence you will soon rejoin the coast at Okiwi Bay and cruise past breathtaking coastline through Rakautara, Mangamaunu, Hapuku into Kaikoura.

Picton to Nelson

Leave Picton in the direction of Havelock following the coast along the south bank of Queen Charlotte Sound.

You will pass through the tranquil spots of Mamorangi Bay and The Grove, across the saddle at Linkwater before reaching the intersection of Queen Charlotte Drive and SH6.

Turn right into Havelock and turn inland, leaving the sounds behind as you head towards Canvastown - a town with a big history that began during the gold rush of the mid 1800s.

Heading west out of Canvastown on SH6 it is less than 10km to the spectacular Pelorus Bridge which is a nice place to have a swim and explore the foothills.

SH6 turns northwest along the Rai River through Rai Valley before heading into the Rai-Whangamoa Forest to Whangamoa. The Heads on the coast are a popular location for surfers due to the left-hand break which occurs during northerly swells.

The highway turns southwest alongside Saddle Hill before winding its way into Hira and out to the Tasman Bay coast at Whakapuaka.

You will drive through the seaside towns of Marybank, Atawhai, Tui Glen and Brooklands before arriving in Nelson City.

Blenheim to Murchison (cross-country route)


Leave Blenheim on SH63 in a westerly direction towards Renwick. The roads are very straight and follow the Wairau River for much of the way.

For most of the way you are passing the vineyards of New Zealand's largest wine producing region. After Renwick, you will pass through Wairau Valley townshop, Hillersden, and The Branch, before crossing over to the other bank of the Wairau River and making your way to St Arnaud.

St Arnaud is popular for all sorts of adventure sports like white water rafting, skiing, snowboarding, trout fishing and tramping.

Leaving to the northwest on SH 63 you will come to Howard Junction and the intersection of SH63 and SH6 at Kawatiri.

Turn left onto SH6 toward Gowanbridge. Continue through Owen Junction, Owen River and on through Mangarata to Longford and Murchison.

Motueka to Murchison

Leave Motueka to the southwest on Motueka Valley Road passing through Pangatotara, Ngatimoti, Pokororo to Woodstock.

From Woodstock continue south along the Motueka River to Tapawera, Mararewa to the junction of SH6.

Turn right onto SH6 at the junction and you will soon come to Motupiko.

From here the road still follows the Motupiko River through the Korere Valley and townshop to Glenhope.

After Glenhope you will come to a junction of SH6 and SH63 at Kawatiri.

Stay on SH63 toward Gowanbridge. Continue through Owen Junction, Owen River and on through Mangarata to Longford and Murchison.

It is recommended that you have detailed road maps before departing on your trip