A Campervan Wine Weekend from Christchurch: Waipara and Hanmer

Quick summary: A weekend is all you need for a relaxed campervan wine escape from Christchurch. Drive under an hour north to the Waipara Valley, park up among the vineyards for two nights, and spend a full day tasting on a tour or at a vineyard restaurant. On the way home, add a detour inland to soak in the thermal pools at Hanmer Springs. It’s a short, easy trip, perfect for a first campervan or motorhome hire or a Kiwi weekend away.

At a glance
Length	2–3 days
Start and finish	Christchurch loop
Total driving	Around 120 km, or around 270 km with Hanmer Springs
Wine region	Waipara Valley
Tasting day off the road	Day 2
Add-on	Hanmer Springs thermal pools

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Day 1: Christchurch to the Waipara Valley (around 60 km)

Collect the campervan, shop for supplies and head north on State Highway 1 through the Waimakariri district and Amberley. Set up camp in the valley in the afternoon, take a walk among the limestone hills, and enjoy a quiet evening with a view of the vines. See the Waipara Valley by campervan.

Day 2: Waipara tasting day (no driving)

Leave the campervan parked. Join a Waipara Valley wine tour that collects from the valley or Amberley, or book a long lunch at a vineyard restaurant within walking or taxi distance. Buy a bottle or two of Pinot Noir or Riesling to enjoy back at camp.

Day 3: Home, or via Hanmer Springs

• Straight home: drive back to Christchurch, around 60 km, with time for a stop at Amberley’s cafés.
• Via Hanmer Springs: drive inland on State Highway 7 to Hanmer Springs, around 75 km, for a soak in the thermal pools and a forest walk, then return to Christchurch, around 135 km.

Is a Waipara weekend a good first RV trip?

Yes, it’s one of the easiest. The roads are flat and straightforward, the distances are short, and you only pack up once. It’s a gentle way to get used to the vehicle, the holiday park routine and the campervan lifestyle before a longer trip.

How can you vary the weekend?

• Taste before pickup. Take a Waipara tour from the city the day before you collect the vehicle, then use the weekend for Hanmer Springs.
• Add Kaikōura, around 125 km north of Waipara, for whale watching on a longer trip.
• Stay in Hanmer Springs for the second night, and visit Waipara on the way there and back.

For more local campervan trips, see the Christchurch campervan guides on christchurchtours.co.nz, and for Christchurch pickup, see our guide to starting a wine trip from Christchurch.

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Frequently Asked Questions