Road Trip: Christchurch to Queenstown
Leaving the Garden City of Christchurch, you will head south through the farmlands of the Canterbury Plains, through the rural towns of Rolleston, Burnham, with its Military Camp, and Dunsandel. A short side trip here will take you to the take-off area for Hot Air Ballooning over the Canterbury Plains for a never-to-be-forgotten adventure. Rakaia, the salmon capital of New Zealand, has a long 1.8 km bridge over the 'braided' Rakaia river below. Ashburton has a museum that tells of man's triumph over the tussock country of the Plains, that is now lush farmlands. There are five other museums here, offering focus on vintage rail, aviation and cars. Trout and salmon fishing are local activities. Inland, towards Mt Hutt, is Methven, where you find an Alpine & Agriculture Encounter, that details life in the mountains and on the Plains, and the challenges of making a living on these lands. At Orari, you leave State Highway One (SH 1) and head towards the mountains and Geraldine. Stop and explore the vintage car and machinery Museum there if you have time...road trip
