2026 June 14 – 25
Trip planning
(with archive)
Shopping Decision List, please click the arrow to open
Click on name to filter by person. Toggle Go/No Go by pressing the button
Click on the shop name to go to it’s website
| Shop | Cluster | Jack | Eng Chin | Jake | Paige | Go / no go | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBD Core | |||||||
| Mons Royale NZ merino specialist |
CBD + Hornby outlet | ✓ | – | ✓ | – | ★★★★★ | |
| Cactus Outdoors NZ-made rugged gear |
CBD (Tuam St) | ✓ | – | – | – | ★★★★ | |
| Further Faster Premium outdoor + Mons stockist |
CBD (Tuam St) | ✓ | – | ✓ | – | ★★★★ | |
| Ballantynes Premium multi-brand dept store |
CBD (Cashel St) | – | ✓ | – | – | ★★★★★ | |
| KILT Clothing SG-friendly everyday wear |
CBD | – | ✓ | – | – | ★★★★★ | |
| Moochi Structured NZ designer pieces |
CBD | – | ✓ | – | – | ★★★★ | |
| Witchery Polished modern wear |
CBD / Riccarton | – | ✓ | – | ✓ | ★★★★ | |
| Standard Issue Minimalist knitwear |
CBD (The Crossing) | – | ✓ | – | – | ★★★ | |
| Glassons Trendy NZ teen fashion |
CBD / Riccarton | – | – | – | ✓ | ★★★★★ | |
| Riccarton | |||||||
| Farmers Dept store — Bonds, NZ socks, essentials |
Westfield Riccarton | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ★★★★ | |
| Macpac Outdoor wear + backpacks & bags |
Riccarton / CBD / Hornby outlet | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ★★★★ | |
| Decjuba Smart casual basics |
Riccarton / CBD | – | ✓ | – | – | ★★★ | |
| Country Road Premium breathable basics |
Riccarton | – | ✓ | – | ✓ | ★★★ | |
| Seed Heritage Feminine, lightweight (not in SG) |
Riccarton | – | ✓ | – | – | ★★★★ | |
| Factorie Casual teen streetwear |
Riccarton | – | – | – | ✓ | ★★★ | |
| Jay Jays Teen fashion, not in SG |
Riccarton | – | – | – | ✓ | ★★★★ | |
| Dotti Trendy affordable fashion, not in SG |
Riccarton / The Palms | – | – | – | ✓ | ★★★★ | |
| Hornby / Dress Smart Outlet | |||||||
| Kathmandu Outlet deals + retail range |
Dress Smart, Hornby | ✓ | – | – | – | ★★★ | |
| Day Trip / Detour | |||||||
| Alchemy Equipment Technical urban apparel (optional) |
The Tannery, Woolston | opt | – | – | – | ★★★★ | |
v 2026-05-11 12pm
📅 Day-by-Day Itinerary
Christchurch
- 09:30🚗 Arrive Christchurch Airport
- 11:00📋 Car pickup — Ezi Car Rental · Ref: R1P9R5
- 11:30🚗 Drive to Riccarton
- 12:00🍽 Lunch
- 14:00🏨 Check-in Riccarton Mall Motel · Ref: 1992694794 (paid)
- 14:30🛍 Shopping — Westfield Riccarton
- 18:30
- 18:45🛍 Essentials run (PAK’nSave or Woolworths)
PAK’nSave inside Westfield (open till 11pm, cheapest) or Woolworths Church Corner (361 Riccarton Rd, open till 10pm)
Christchurch
- 08:45🍽 Breakfast — Addington Coffee Co-op
297 Lincoln Rd. Jack: pick up a bag of Common Good Coffee beans to take home — sold in-store. - 09:30🚗 Drive to Dress Smart (~10 min)
- 09:45🛍 Outlet shopping — Dress Smart Hornby
- 15:00🛍 Lululemon
- 15:45
- 18:30
Christchurch
- 07:30
- 09:00🎯 Bike setup — Action Bicycle Club
- 09:19🎯 Modern Garden City Ride
~8–10 km flat loop. Stops: Hagley Park, Botanic Gardens (picnic ~12:30pm), Arts Centre, Cathedral Sq, New Regent St. Jack: get pies from The Butcher’s Pie Shop (Riverside Market) for picnic. - 15:00
- 18:00🛍 Groceries — New World
Mum: pick up NZ wine at good prices — Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc or Central Otago Pinot Noir - 18:00
Christchurch → Hanmer Springs
- 07:30
- 08:30🚗 Drive CHC to Amberley (~1 hr)
- 11:30🍽 Winery lunch — Black Estate · Ref: 79143775
- 13:30🚗 Drive Waipara to Hanmer Springs (~55 min)
- 14:00🎯 Thermal Pools — Hanmer Springs · Ref: HSA055130 (paid)
Buy as package with ATV next day. Collect tickets on the way - 18:00🏨 Check-in Alpine Garden Motel · Ref: 1993977604
- 19:00
- 20:45
Hanmer Springs
- 07:30🍽 Breakfast — In-room
- 10:00🎯 ATV Ride — River Valley Quad Bike + Thermal Pass · Ref: HSA055130 (paid)
Arrive by 9:30. 2 single quad bike, 1 twin buggy - 13:00🍽 Lunch — The Log Cabin by Metromart
- 14:00🎯 Hike — Dog Stream Waterfall Track
- 18:30🍽 Dinner — Monteith’s Brewery Bar
Hanmer Springs → Kaikōura → Blenheim
- 08:30
- 09:15🚗 Drive Hanmer → Kaikōura (Inland Road)
~135 km · ~1 hr 45 min · beautiful but winding, allow buffer - 11:30
- 11:49🎯 Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway — Lighthouse + Picnic Lunch
Picnic lunch included (Nin’s Bin takeaway). Point Kean area. - 13:10🎯 Ohau Point Seal Colony
Optional stop (15 min). Confirm whether visiting after Point Kean involves backtracking toward Blenheim. - 13:25🚗 Drive Kaikōura → Blenheim
~130 km · ~1 hr 45 min - 14:45🎯 Saint Clair Vineyard Kitchen
Relaxed tasting & light bites · winter hours close 4:00 PM · arrive promptly · bookings recommended - 16:10· Check-in — Centre Court Motel · Ref: 1994958887
- 18:30🍽 Dinner — Raupo Café & Restaurant · Ref: 97735629
Blenheim
- 09:00🎯 Marlborough Farmers’ Market
⚠️ Market runs Saturdays 9am–1pm — confirm if open Sundays - 10:30🎯 Winery 1 — Cloudy Bay Cellar Door
Tasting - 12:15🍽 Light Lunch
- 13:30🎯 Makana Confections
Boutique chocolate factory · complimentary samples · open 9:00 AM–5:30 PM · perfect palate cleanser between wineries - 14:00🎯 Winery 2 — Wither Hills Restaurant
Tasting - 15:45· Rest
- 18:30
Blenheim → Christchurch
- 07:30🍽 Breakfast (early for depart 8:30am)
- 08:30🚗 Drive Blenheim → Kaikōura
~130 km · ~1 hr 45 min - 12:00
- 13:15🚗 Drive to Christchurch
~100 km · ~1 hr 15 min - 13:15
- 16:30🎯 Arrive at Supakarts
- 17:00🎯 Karting — Supakarts · Ref: email
Open Mon 12:00–6:00 PM · book ahead, closes 6:00 PM sharp - 18:00· Check-in — Worcester Terrace One
Night 1 of 3 · 3-night stay - 18:30🍽 Dinner — McDonald’s Moorhouse Ave
14 Washington Way, Sydenham · try the Kiwiburger if available (limited-time seasonal item) - 19:30· Supermarket Stock-Up — New World Durham Street
175 Durham St South · open until 10:00 PM · coffee beans, Day 9 dinner, Day 10 birthday breakfast items
Christchurch
- 09:00🍽 Breakfast — Unknown Chapter Coffee Roasters
Jack: ask if they sell retail bags of beans in-store - 09:45
- 14:00· Afternoon — Free & Easy
Decide on the day what to do - 17:30
Christchurch
- 09:00· Birthday Morning — Sleep in & Breakfast at home
Jake’s 18th birthday! - 09:45
- 18:40🎯 Cake & Family Photos
- 19:30🍽 Birthday Dinner — 5th Street · Ref: 08855927
5 Elgin St, Sydenham · seasonal sharing plates · 98% recommend · reservation confirmed - 22:00· Pack for Departure
Depart Singapore
- 10:49✈️ SQ298 Christchurch → Singapore
Departs 10:50 AM · Arrives Singapore 17:40 - 🚗 Head to Christchurch International Airport
END OF LATEST ITINERARY… THE FOLLOWING ARE OLDER ITERATIONS
v 2026-05-08
📅 Day-by-Day Itinerary
Christchurch
- 09:30🚗 Arrive Christchurch Airport
- 11:00📋 Car pickup — Ezi Car Rental · Ref: R1P9R5
- 11:30🚗 Drive to Riccarton
- 12:00🍽 Lunch
- 14:00🏨 Check-in Riccarton Mall Motel · Ref: 1992694794
- 14:30🛍 Shopping — Westfield Riccarton
- 18:30
- 18:45🛍 Essentials run (PAK’nSave or Woolworths)
PAK’nSave inside Westfield (open till 11pm, cheapest) or Woolworths Church Corner (361 Riccarton Rd, open till 10pm)
Christchurch
- 08:45🍽 Breakfast — Addington Coffee Co-op
297 Lincoln Rd. Jack: pick up a bag of Common Good Coffee beans to take home — sold in-store. - 09:30🚗 Drive to Dress Smart (~10 min)
- 09:45🛍 Outlet shopping — Dress Smart Hornby
- 15:00🛍 Lululemon
- 15:45
- 18:30
Christchurch
- 07:30
- 09:00🎯 Bike setup — Action Bicycle Club
- 09:19🎯 Modern Garden City Ride
~8–10 km flat loop. Stops: Hagley Park, Botanic Gardens (picnic ~12:30pm), Arts Centre, Cathedral Sq, New Regent St. Jack: get pies from The Butcher’s Pie Shop (Riverside Market) for picnic. - 15:00
- 18:00🛍 Groceries — New World
Mum: pick up NZ wine at good prices — Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc or Central Otago Pinot Noir - 18:00
Christchurch → Hanmer Springs
- 07:30
- 08:30🚗 Drive CHC to Amberley (~1 hr)
- 11:30🍽 Winery lunch — Black Estate · Ref: 79143775
- 13:30🚗 Drive Waipara to Hanmer Springs (~55 min)
- 14:00🎯 Thermal Pools — Hanmer Springs
Buy as package with ATV next day - 18:00🏨 Check-in Alpine Garden Motel · Ref: 1993977604
- 19:00
- 20:45
Hanmer Springs
- 07:30🍽 Breakfast — In-room
- 07:35🍽 Breakfast — In-room copy test field 20260506-2311
- 10:00🎯 ATV Ride — River Valley Quad Bike + Thermal Pass
Includes thermal pools entry - 13:00🍽 Lunch — The Log Cabin by Metromart
- 14:00🎯 Hike — Dog Stream Waterfall Track
- 18:30🍽 Dinner — Monteith’s Brewery Bar
Hanmer Springs → Kaikōura → Blenheim
- 08:30
- 09:15🚗 Drive Hanmer → Kaikōura (Inland Road)
~135 km · ~1 hr 45 min · beautiful but winding, allow buffer - 11:30
- 11:49🎯 Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway — Lighthouse + Picnic Lunch
Picnic lunch included (Nin’s Bin takeaway). Point Kean area. - 13:10🎯 Ohau Point Seal Colony
Optional stop (15 min). Confirm whether visiting after Point Kean involves backtracking toward Blenheim. - 13:25🚗 Drive Kaikōura → Blenheim
~130 km · ~1 hr 45 min - 14:45🎯 Saint Clair Vineyard Kitchen
Relaxed tasting & light bites · winter hours close 4:00 PM · arrive promptly · bookings recommended - 16:10· Check-in — Centre Court Motel · Ref: 1994958887
- 18:30🍽 Dinner — Raupo Café & Restaurant · Ref: 97735629
Blenheim
- 09:00🎯 Marlborough Farmers’ Market
⚠️ Market runs Saturdays 9am–1pm — confirm if open Sundays - 10:30🎯 Winery 1 — Cloudy Bay Cellar Door
Tasting - 12:15🍽 Light Lunch
- 13:30🎯 Makana Confections
Boutique chocolate factory · complimentary samples · open 9:00 AM–5:30 PM · perfect palate cleanser between wineries - 14:00🎯 Winery 2 — Wither Hills Restaurant
Tasting - 15:45· Rest
- 18:30
Blenheim → Christchurch
- 07:30🍽 Breakfast (early for depart 8:30am)
- 08:30🚗 Drive Blenheim → Kaikōura
~130 km · ~1 hr 45 min - 12:00
- 13:15🚗 Drive to Christchurch
~100 km · ~1 hr 15 min - 13:15
- 16:30🎯 Arrive at Supakarts
- 17:00🎯 Karting — Supakarts · Ref: email
Open Mon 12:00–6:00 PM · book ahead, closes 6:00 PM sharp - 18:00· Check-in — Worcester Terrace One
Night 1 of 3 · 3-night stay - 18:30🍽 Dinner — McDonald’s Moorhouse Ave
14 Washington Way, Sydenham · try the Kiwiburger if available (limited-time seasonal item) - 19:30· Supermarket Stock-Up — New World Durham Street
175 Durham St South · open until 10:00 PM · coffee beans, Day 9 dinner, Day 10 birthday breakfast items
Christchurch
- 09:00🍽 Breakfast — Unknown Chapter Coffee Roasters
Jack: ask if they sell retail bags of beans in-store - 09:45
- 14:00· Afternoon — Free & Easy
Decide on the day what to do - 17:30
Christchurch
- 09:00· Birthday Morning — Sleep in & Breakfast at home
Jake’s 18th birthday! - 09:45
- 18:40🎯 Cake & Family Photos
- 19:30🍽 Birthday Dinner — 5th Street · Ref: 08855927
5 Elgin St, Sydenham · seasonal sharing plates · 98% recommend · reservation confirmed - 22:00· Pack for Departure
Depart Singapore
- 10:49✈️ SQ298 Christchurch → Singapore
Departs 10:50 AM · Arrives Singapore 17:40 - 🚗 Head to Christchurch International Airport
v 2026-04-08-2200
NZ South Island
14 – 25 June 2026 · Family Getaway
📋 Last updated: Wed 1 Apr 2026, 08:35 AM SGT
🛫 Flight Details
🚗 Car Rental
🏨 Accommodation
📅 Day-by-Day Itinerary
Christchurch — Arrival
- 9:30 AM✈️ Arrive Christchurch International Airport
- 11:30 AM🚗 Car pickup — Ezi Car Rental
- 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM🚗 Drive to Riccarton — ~10 km · ~15 min
- 12:00 – 1:30 PMLunch
- 2:00 PMCheck-in — Riccarton Mall Motel
- 2:30 – 5:30 PM🛍 Shopping — Westfield Riccarton
- 5:30 – 6:30 PM🍔 Dinner — Wendy’s Hornby · 1 Chappie Place, Hornby
- 6:45 – 7:30 PM🛒 Essentials run — fabric freshener, chap sticks, snacks etc.
⭐ PAK’nSave Riccarton · inside Westfield Riccarton · ~1.5 km · open until 11:00 PM · cheapest Woolworths Church Corner · 361 Riccarton Rd · ~750 m · open until 10:00 PM - After shops🛒 Optional — Kmart (open till midnight) · if anything else needed
Christchurch — Shopping
- 8:00 AM🛏 Sleep-in · recovering from long-haul flight
- 8:35 AM🚗 Leave motel — ~3.5 km · ~8 min to Addington
- 8:45 – 9:30 AM☕ Breakfast — Addington Coffee Co-op · 297 Lincoln Rd · opens 7:30 AM weekdays · ☕ roasts own beans in-house · 💡 Jack: pick up a bag of Common Good Coffee beans to take home — sold in-store
- 9:30 AM🚗 Drive to Dress Smart — ~5.5 km · ~10 min
- 9:45 AM – 2:30 PMOutlet shopping — Dress Smart Hornby
- 3:00 – 3:40 PMLululemon
Christchurch — Cycling & Coffee
- 7:30 – 8:15 AM🥐 Breakfast — Grizzly Baked Goods (~4.5 km · ~10 min from motel)
- 9:00 – 9:20 AM🚲 Bike setup — Action Bicycle Club · Cathedral Junction, off Gloucester St
- 9:20 AM – 2:30 PM🚴 The Modern Garden City Ride · ~8–10 km · flat CBD loop · ~5 hrs with stops
📍 View route stops ▾
- 🚲 Start — Action Bicycle Club · Cathedral Junction · pick up bikes
- 🥧 The Butcher’s Pie Shop · inside Riverside Market · grab 4 pies for the picnic! · hand-made · braised 6–8 hrs · no preservatives · steak & cheese or pork belly & apple with crackling · wrap in foil & pack in backpack · still warm at 12:30 PM 🥧
- 🌳 Hagley Park North — open green space · scenic ride-through & photo stop
- 🌿 Christchurch Botanic Gardens — Avon River, lawns, glasshouses · 🧺 Picnic stop ~12:30 PM
- 🎨 The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora — heritage buildings, boutiques, galleries
- ⛪ Cathedral Square — Cardboard Cathedral & city heart · photo stop
- 🚋 New Regent Street — Spanish Mission–style buildings · one of Christchurch’s prettiest streetscapes · slow ride & photo stop
- 🔄 Return bikes to Action Bicycle Club · Cathedral Junction
- 6:00 PM🛒 Groceries — New World (pre-cooked dinner + Day 4 breakfast items) · 🍷 Mum: pick up NZ wine at good prices — Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc or Central Otago Pinot Noir
Christchurch → Hanmer Springs
- 8:30 – 9:30 AM🚗 Christchurch to Amberley — ~75 km · ~1 hr
- 9:30 – 10:00 AM☕ Coffee — Little Vintage Espresso
- 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM🍷 Winery lunch — Black Estate · Booking confirmed · Ref: 79143775
- 1:30 – 2:45 PM🚗 Waipara to Hanmer Springs — ~60 km · ~55 min
- 2:45 – 3:15 PMCheck-in — Alpine Garden Motel
- 3:30 – 5:45 PM♨️ Thermal pools — Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa · Buy as package with ATV next day
- 7:00 PM🍽 Dinner — MK Restaurant · Reservation confirmed · Ref: 4653114 · 4 guests
Hanmer — Hike, ATV & Dinner
- Morning🍳 In-room breakfast
- 8:45 – 11:30 AM🥾 Hike — Dog Stream Waterfall Track
- 11:40 AM – 12:20 PM🍽 Lunch — The Log Cabin by Metromart
- 2:00 – 4:00 PM🛻 2-hr ATV Ride — River Valley Quad Bike + Thermal Pass · Hanmer Springs Attractions · Includes thermal pools entry
- 6:30 PM🍺 Dinner — Monteith’s Brewery Bar
Hanmer → Kaikōura → Blenheim
- 9:15 – 11:30 AM🚗 Hanmer → Kaikōura via Inland Road — ~135 km · ~1 hr 45 min · beautiful but winding, allow buffer
- 12:15 – 1:00 PM🗼 Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway — Lighthouse · Drive to Point Kean · short walk toward lighthouse (not full loop) · 🦭 Seals almost guaranteed · 🐧 Blue penguins possible (June nesting season) · 🐬 Watch for dolphins & whales offshore · Keep disciplined to 45 min max
- 1:10 – 1:25 PM🦭 Ohau Point Seal Colony · 10–15 min quick stop
- 1:25 – 2:45 PM🚗 Drive Kaikōura → Blenheim — ~130 km · ~1 hr 45 min
- 2:45 – 4:00 PM🍷 Saint Clair Vineyard Kitchen · relaxed tasting & light bites · ⚠️ Winter hours close 4:00 PM — lunch service ends 3:00 PM, arrive promptly · bookings recommended
- 4:10 – 4:30 PM🏨 Check-in — Centre Court Motel · Booking ID: 1994958887 · quick reset & warm up
- 6:30 – 8:00 PM🍽 Dinner — Raupo Café & Restaurant · Reservation confirmed · Ref: 97735629
Blenheim — Relaxed Winery Day 🍷
- 9:00 – 10:00 AM🧺 Marlborough Farmers’ Market ⚠️ Note: Market runs Saturdays 9am–1pm — confirm if open Sundays
- 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM🍷 Winery 1 — Cloudy Bay Cellar Door (tasting)
- 12:15 – 1:30 PMLight lunch
- 1:30 – 2:00 PM🍫 Makana Confections · Cnr Rapaura & O’Dwyer’s Rd · boutique chocolate factory · watch chocolates being made · complimentary samples on arrival · hand-made NZ confections · open 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM · perfect palate cleanser between wineries!
- 2:00 – 3:30 PM🍷 Winery 2 — Wither Hills Restaurant (tasting)
- 3:45 – 5:30 PM🌿 Rest
- 3:45 – 5:30 PM🌿 Rest
Blenheim → Christchurch
- 8:30 – 9:00 AMBreakfast
- 9:00 – 11:45 AM🚗 Drive south toward Kaikōura — ~130 km · ~1 hr 45 min
- 11:45 AM – 12:15 PM🧀 Cheese stop — Kaikōura Cheese
- 1:15 – 2:15 PM🍽 Lunch in Cheviot · ⚠️ Call Cheviot Trust Hotel ahead to confirm winter hours: +64 3 315 6256
- 2:15 – 4:00 PM🚗 Drive to Christchurch — ~100 km · ~1 hr 15 min
- 5:00 – 6:00 PM🏎️ Karting — Supakarts · open Mon 12:00–6:00 PM · book ahead, closes 6:00 PM sharp
- 6:30 – 7:30 PM🍔 Dinner — McDonald’s Moorhouse Ave · 14 Washington Way, Sydenham · 🥚🫐 Try the Kiwiburger (beef patty, egg & beetroot) if available · limited-time seasonal item — check menu closer to date · last run was summer 2023–24, may not be on in June
- 7:30 – 8:30 PM🛒 Supermarket stock-up — New World Durham Street · 175 Durham St South · ~650 m from McDonald’s · open until 10:00 PM
- ☕ Jack — specialty roasted coffee beans · look for local NZ roasters (Flight, Allpress, Havana)
- 🍗 Day 9 dinner option A — hot deli rotisserie chicken + microwaveable sides
- 🥩 Day 9 dinner option B — NZ grass-fed beef steak from butcher counter + salad greens + fresh fruit · simple cooked dinner in apartment
- 🥐 Day 10 breakfast items — bread, eggs, fruit, juice etc. for birthday morning
Christchurch — Tannery or Picnic
- 9:00 – 9:30 AM☕ Breakfast — Unknown Chapter Coffee Roasters · 💡 Jack: ask if they sell retail bags of their beans in-store
- Afternoon🌿 Free & Easy — decide on the day what to do
Jake’s 18th Birthday 🎂🎉
- Morning🛏 Sleep in · easy breakfast at home · birthday morning!
- 9:45 – 10:15 AM — 🚲 Bike setup at Action Bicycle Club
- 10:15 – 11:45 AM — 🚴 Ride to Sumner Beach
- 11:45 AM – 12:30 PM — 🍽 Lunch at Joe’s Garage Sumner
- 12:30 – 1:15 PM — 🏖 Beach relax & photos
- 1:15 – 2:30 PM — 🚴 Return ride
- 11:45 AM – 12:45 PM — 🍔 Lunch at Smash Palace
- 12:45 – 2:00 PM — Return, digest, change into activity clothes
- 3:00 – 5:30 PM — 🪂 Christchurch Adventure Park Zipline
- Late afternoon🚿 Reset · shower · relax
- 6:40 – 7:00 PM🎂 Cake & family photos
- 7:30 PM🎉 Birthday dinner — 5th Street · 5 Elgin St, Sydenham · ✓ Reservation confirmed · seasonal sharing plates · 98% recommend
- Night🧳 Pack for departure
Departure — Christchurch to Singapore
- MorningHead to Christchurch International Airport
- 10:50 AM✈️ SQ298 departs Christchurch · Arrives Singapore 17:40
v 2026-04-01-0835
NZ South Island
14 – 25 June 2026 · Family Getaway
📋 Last updated: Wed 1 Apr 2026, 08:35 AM SGT
🛫 Flight Details
🚗 Car Rental
🏨 Accommodation
📅 Day-by-Day Itinerary
Christchurch — Arrival
- 9:30 AM✈️ Arrive Christchurch International Airport
- 11:30 AM🚗 Car pickup — Ezi Car Rental
- 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM🚗 Drive to Riccarton — ~10 km · ~15 min
- 12:00 – 1:30 PMLunch
- 2:00 PMCheck-in — Riccarton Mall Motel
- 2:30 – 5:30 PM🛍 Shopping — Westfield Riccarton
- 5:30 – 6:30 PM🍔 Dinner — Wendy’s Hornby · 1 Chappie Place, Hornby
- 6:45 – 7:30 PM🛒 Essentials run — fabric freshener, chap sticks, snacks etc.
⭐ PAK’nSave Riccarton · inside Westfield Riccarton · ~1.5 km · open until 11:00 PM · cheapest Woolworths Church Corner · 361 Riccarton Rd · ~750 m · open until 10:00 PM - After shops🛒 Optional — Kmart (open till midnight) · if anything else needed
Christchurch — Shopping
- 8:00 AM🛏 Sleep-in · recovering from long-haul flight
- 8:35 AM🚗 Leave motel — ~3.5 km · ~8 min to Addington
- 8:45 – 9:30 AM☕ Breakfast — Addington Coffee Co-op · 297 Lincoln Rd · opens 7:30 AM weekdays · ☕ roasts own beans in-house · 💡 Jack: pick up a bag of Common Good Coffee beans to take home — sold in-store
- 9:30 AM🚗 Drive to Dress Smart — ~5.5 km · ~10 min
- 9:45 AM – 2:30 PMOutlet shopping — Dress Smart Hornby
- 3:00 – 3:40 PMLululemon
Christchurch — Cycling & Coffee
- 7:30 – 8:15 AM🥐 Breakfast — Grizzly Baked Goods (~4.5 km · ~10 min from motel)
- 9:00 – 9:20 AM🚲 Bike setup — Action Bicycle Club · Cathedral Junction, off Gloucester St
- 9:20 AM – 2:30 PM🚴 The Modern Garden City Ride · ~8–10 km · flat CBD loop · ~5 hrs with stops
📍 View route stops ▾
- 🛒 Riverside Market — riverside food hall · ~200 m from Action Bicycle Club, first stop
- 🥧 The Butcher’s Pie Shop · inside Riverside Market · grab 4 pies for the picnic! · hand-made · braised 6–8 hrs · no preservatives · steak & cheese or pork belly & apple with crackling · wrap in foil & pack in backpack · still warm at 12:30 PM 🥧
- 🎨 The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora — heritage buildings, boutiques, galleries
- 🌿 Christchurch Botanic Gardens — Avon River, lawns, glasshouses · 🧺 Picnic stop ~12:30 PM
- ⛪ Cathedral Square — Cardboard Cathedral & city heart
- 🚋 New Regent Street — Spanish Mission–style buildings · one of Christchurch’s prettiest streetscapes · slow ride & photo stop
- 🌉 Bridge of Remembrance — ornate WWI memorial archway on the Avon River · striking photo stop · stays on route
- 🌳 Hagley Park North — open green space · scenic ride-through & photo stop
- 🔄 Return bikes to Action Bicycle Club · Cathedral Junction
- 6:00 PM🛒 Groceries — New World (pre-cooked dinner + Day 4 breakfast items) · 🍷 Mum: pick up NZ wine at good prices — Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc or Central Otago Pinot Noir
Christchurch → Hanmer Springs
- 8:30 – 9:30 AM🚗 Christchurch to Amberley — ~75 km · ~1 hr
- 9:30 – 10:00 AM☕ Coffee — Little Vintage Espresso
- 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM🍷 Winery lunch — Black Estate · Booking confirmed · Ref: 79143775
- 1:30 – 2:45 PM🚗 Waipara to Hanmer Springs — ~60 km · ~55 min
- 2:45 – 3:15 PMCheck-in — Alpine Garden Motel
- 3:30 – 5:45 PM♨️ Thermal pools — Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa · Buy as package with ATV next day
- 7:00 PM🍽 Dinner — MK Restaurant · Reservation confirmed · Ref: 4653114 · 4 guests
Hanmer — Hike, ATV & Dinner
- Morning🍳 In-room breakfast
- 8:45 – 11:30 AM🥾 Hike — Dog Stream Waterfall Track
- 11:40 AM – 12:20 PM🍽 Lunch — The Log Cabin by Metromart
- 2:00 – 4:00 PM🛻 2-hr ATV Ride — River Valley Quad Bike + Thermal Pass · Hanmer Springs Attractions · Includes thermal pools entry
- 6:30 PM🍺 Dinner — Monteith’s Brewery Bar
Hanmer → Kaikōura → Blenheim
- 9:15 – 11:30 AM🚗 Hanmer → Kaikōura via Inland Road — ~135 km · ~1 hr 45 min · beautiful but winding, allow buffer
- 12:15 – 1:00 PM🗼 Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway — Lighthouse · Drive to Point Kean · short walk toward lighthouse (not full loop) · 🦭 Seals almost guaranteed · 🐧 Blue penguins possible (June nesting season) · 🐬 Watch for dolphins & whales offshore · Keep disciplined to 45 min max
- 1:10 – 1:25 PM🦭 Ohau Point Seal Colony · 10–15 min quick stop
- 1:25 – 2:45 PM🚗 Drive Kaikōura → Blenheim — ~130 km · ~1 hr 45 min
- 2:45 – 4:00 PM🍷 Saint Clair Vineyard Kitchen · relaxed tasting & light bites · ⚠️ Winter hours close 4:00 PM — lunch service ends 3:00 PM, arrive promptly · bookings recommended
- 4:10 – 4:30 PM🏨 Check-in — Centre Court Motel · Booking ID: 1994958887 · quick reset & warm up
- 6:30 – 8:00 PM🍽 Dinner — Raupo Café & Restaurant · Reservation confirmed · Ref: 97735629
Blenheim — Relaxed Winery Day 🍷
- 9:00 – 10:00 AM🧺 Marlborough Farmers’ Market ⚠️ Note: Market runs Saturdays 9am–1pm — confirm if open Sundays
- 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM🍷 Winery 1 — Cloudy Bay Cellar Door (tasting)
- 12:15 – 1:30 PMLight lunch
- 2:00 – 3:30 PM🍷 Winery 2 — Wither Hills Restaurant (tasting)
- 3:45 – 5:30 PM🌿 Rest
Blenheim → Christchurch
- 8:30 – 9:00 AMBreakfast
- 9:00 – 11:45 AM🚗 Drive south toward Kaikōura — ~130 km · ~1 hr 45 min
- 11:45 AM – 12:15 PM🧀 Cheese stop — Kaikōura Cheese
- 1:15 – 2:15 PM🍽 Lunch in Cheviot · ⚠️ Call Cheviot Trust Hotel ahead to confirm winter hours: +64 3 315 6256
- 2:15 – 4:00 PM🚗 Drive to Christchurch — ~100 km · ~1 hr 15 min
- 5:00 – 6:00 PM🏎️ Karting — Supakarts · open Mon 12:00–6:00 PM · book ahead, closes 6:00 PM sharp
- 6:30 – 7:30 PM🍔 Dinner — McDonald’s Moorhouse Ave · 14 Washington Way, Sydenham · 🥚🫐 Try the Kiwiburger (beef patty, egg & beetroot) if available · limited-time seasonal item — check menu closer to date · last run was summer 2023–24, may not be on in June
- 7:30 – 8:30 PM🛒 Supermarket stock-up — New World Durham Street · 175 Durham St South · ~650 m from McDonald’s · open until 10:00 PM
- ☕ Jack — specialty roasted coffee beans · look for local NZ roasters (Flight, Allpress, Havana)
- 🍗 Day 9 dinner option A — hot deli rotisserie chicken + microwaveable sides
- 🥩 Day 9 dinner option B — NZ grass-fed beef steak from butcher counter + salad greens + fresh fruit · simple cooked dinner in apartment
- 🥐 Day 10 breakfast items — bread, eggs, fruit, juice etc. for birthday morning
Christchurch — Tannery or Picnic
- 9:00 – 9:30 AM☕ Breakfast — Unknown Chapter Coffee Roasters · 💡 Jack: ask if they sell retail bags of their beans in-store
- Afternoon🌿 Free & Easy — decide on the day what to do
Jake’s 18th Birthday 🎂🎉
- Morning🛏 Sleep in · easy breakfast at home · birthday morning!
- 9:45 – 10:15 AM — 🚲 Bike setup at Action Bicycle Club
- 10:15 – 11:45 AM — 🚴 Ride to Sumner Beach
- 11:45 AM – 12:30 PM — 🍽 Lunch at Joe’s Garage Sumner
- 12:30 – 1:15 PM — 🏖 Beach relax & photos
- 1:15 – 2:30 PM — 🚴 Return ride
- 11:45 AM – 12:45 PM — 🍔 Lunch at Smash Palace
- 12:45 – 2:00 PM — Return, digest, change into activity clothes
- 3:00 – 5:30 PM — 🪂 Christchurch Adventure Park Zipline
- Late afternoon🚿 Reset · shower · relax
- 6:40 – 7:00 PM🎂 Cake & family photos
- 7:30 PM🎉 Birthday dinner — 5th Street · 5 Elgin St, Sydenham · ✓ Reservation confirmed · seasonal sharing plates · 98% recommend
- Night🧳 Pack for departure
Departure — Christchurch to Singapore
- MorningHead to Christchurch International Airport
- 10:50 AM✈️ SQ298 departs Christchurch · Arrives Singapore 17:40
v 2026-03-31-2147
NZ South Island
14 – 25 June 2026 · Family Getaway
🛫 Flight Details
🚗 Car Rental
🏨 Accommodation
📅 Day-by-Day Itinerary
Christchurch — Arrival
- 9:30 AM✈️ Arrive Christchurch International Airport
- 11:30 AM🚗 Car pickup — Ezi Car Rental
- 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM🚗 Drive to Riccarton — ~10 km · ~15 min
- 12:00 – 1:30 PMLunch
- 2:00 PMCheck-in — Riccarton Mall Motel
- 2:30 – 5:30 PM🛍 Shopping — Westfield Riccarton
- 5:30 – 6:30 PM🍔 Dinner — Wendy’s Hornby · 1 Chappie Place, Hornby
- 6:45 – 7:30 PM🛒 Essentials run — fabric freshener, chap sticks, snacks etc.
⭐ PAK’nSave Riccarton · inside Westfield Riccarton · ~1.5 km · open until 11:00 PM · cheapest Woolworths Church Corner · 361 Riccarton Rd · ~750 m · open until 10:00 PM - After shops🛒 Optional — Kmart (open till midnight) · if anything else needed
Christchurch — Shopping
- 8:00 AM🛏 Sleep-in · recovering from long-haul flight
- 8:35 AM🚗 Leave motel — ~3.5 km · ~8 min to Addington
- 8:45 – 9:30 AM☕ Breakfast — Addington Coffee Co-op · 297 Lincoln Rd · opens 7:30 AM weekdays · ☕ roasts own beans in-house · 💡 Jack: pick up a bag of Common Good Coffee beans to take home — sold in-store
- 9:30 AM🚗 Drive to Dress Smart — ~5.5 km · ~10 min
- 9:45 AM – 2:30 PMOutlet shopping — Dress Smart Hornby
- 3:00 – 3:40 PMLululemon
Christchurch — Cycling & Coffee
- 7:30 – 8:15 AM🥐 Breakfast — Grizzly Baked Goods (~4.5 km · ~10 min from motel)
- 9:00 – 9:20 AM🚲 Bike setup — Action Bicycle Club
- 9:20 AM – 12:15 PM🚴 Ride — Hagley Park / Avon River / Botanic Gardens ~8 km · ~3 hrs
- 12:15 – 1:15 PM🍽 Lunch — Ilex Café (Botanic Gardens)
- 1:15 – 2:45 PM🚴 Shorter return loop
- 2:45 – 3:00 PM🐾 Optional — Pet store or Bunnings / Mitre 10
- 3:00 – 4:00 PM🛒 Groceries — New World (pre-cooked dinner + Day 4 breakfast items) · 🍷 Mum: pick up NZ wine at good prices — Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc or Central Otago Pinot Noir
Christchurch → Hanmer Springs
- 8:30 – 9:30 AM🚗 Christchurch to Amberley — ~75 km · ~1 hr
- 9:30 – 10:00 AM☕ Coffee — Little Vintage Espresso
- 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM🍷 Winery lunch — Black Estate · Booking confirmed · Ref: 79143775
- 1:30 – 2:45 PM🚗 Waipara to Hanmer Springs — ~60 km · ~55 min
- 2:45 – 3:15 PMCheck-in — Alpine Garden Motel
- 3:30 – 5:45 PM♨️ Thermal pools — Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa · Buy as package with ATV next day
- 7:00 PM🍽 Dinner — MK Restaurant · Reservation confirmed · Ref: 4653114 · 4 guests
Hanmer — Hike, ATV & Dinner
- Morning🍳 In-room breakfast
- 8:45 – 11:30 AM🥾 Hike — Dog Stream Waterfall Track
- 11:40 AM – 12:20 PM🍽 Lunch — The Log Cabin by Metromart
- 2:00 – 4:00 PM🛻 2-hr ATV Ride — River Valley Quad Bike + Thermal Pass · Hanmer Springs Attractions · Includes thermal pools entry
- 6:30 PM🍺 Dinner — Monteith’s Brewery Bar
Hanmer → Kaikōura → Blenheim
- 9:15 – 11:30 AM🚗 Hanmer → Kaikōura via Inland Road — ~135 km · ~1 hr 45 min · beautiful but winding, allow buffer
- 12:15 – 1:00 PM🗼 Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway — Lighthouse · Drive to Point Kean · short walk toward lighthouse (not full loop) · 🦭 Seals almost guaranteed · 🐧 Blue penguins possible (June nesting season) · 🐬 Watch for dolphins & whales offshore · Keep disciplined to 45 min max
- 1:10 – 1:25 PM🦭 Ohau Point Seal Colony · 10–15 min quick stop
- 1:25 – 2:45 PM🚗 Drive Kaikōura → Blenheim — ~130 km · ~1 hr 45 min
- 2:45 – 4:00 PM🍷 Saint Clair Vineyard Kitchen · relaxed tasting & light bites · ⚠️ Winter hours close 4:00 PM — lunch service ends 3:00 PM, arrive promptly · bookings recommended
- 4:10 – 4:30 PM🏨 Check-in — Centre Court Motel · Booking ID: 1994958887 · quick reset & warm up
- 6:30 – 8:00 PM🍽 Dinner — Raupo Café & Restaurant · Reservation confirmed · Ref: 97735629
Blenheim — Relaxed Winery Day 🍷
- 9:00 – 10:00 AM🧺 Marlborough Farmers’ Market ⚠️ Note: Market runs Saturdays 9am–1pm — confirm if open Sundays
- 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM🍷 Winery 1 — Cloudy Bay Cellar Door (tasting)
- 12:15 – 1:30 PMLight lunch
- 2:00 – 3:30 PM🍷 Winery 2 — Wither Hills Restaurant (tasting)
- 3:45 – 5:30 PM🌿 Rest
Blenheim → Christchurch
- 8:30 – 9:00 AMBreakfast
- 9:00 – 11:45 AM🚗 Drive south toward Kaikōura — ~130 km · ~1 hr 45 min
- 11:45 AM – 12:15 PM🧀 Cheese stop — Kaikōura Cheese
- 1:15 – 2:15 PM🍽 Lunch in Cheviot · ⚠️ Call Cheviot Trust Hotel ahead to confirm winter hours: +64 3 315 6256
- 2:15 – 4:00 PM🚗 Drive to Christchurch — ~100 km · ~1 hr 15 min
- 5:00 – 6:00 PM🏎️ Karting — Supakarts · open Mon 12:00–6:00 PM · book ahead, closes 6:00 PM sharp
- 6:30 – 7:30 PM🍔 Dinner — McDonald’s Moorhouse Ave · 14 Washington Way, Sydenham · 🥚🫐 Try the Kiwiburger (beef patty, egg & beetroot) if available · limited-time seasonal item — check menu closer to date · last run was summer 2023–24, may not be on in June
- 7:30 – 8:30 PM🛒 Supermarket stock-up — New World Durham Street · 175 Durham St South · ~650 m from McDonald’s · open until 10:00 PM
- ☕ Jack — specialty roasted coffee beans · look for local NZ roasters (Flight, Allpress, Havana)
- 🍗 Day 9 dinner option A — hot deli rotisserie chicken + microwaveable sides
- 🥩 Day 9 dinner option B — NZ grass-fed beef steak from butcher counter + salad greens + fresh fruit · simple cooked dinner in apartment
- 🥐 Day 10 breakfast items — bread, eggs, fruit, juice etc. for birthday morning
Christchurch — Tannery or Picnic
- 9:00 – 9:30 AM☕ Breakfast — Unknown Chapter Coffee Roasters · 💡 Jack: ask if they sell retail bags of their beans in-store
- Afternoon🌿 Free & Easy — decide on the day what to do
Jake’s 18th Birthday 🎂🎉
- Morning🛏 Sleep in · easy breakfast at home · birthday morning!
- 9:45 – 10:15 AM — 🚲 Bike setup at Action Bicycle Club
- 10:15 – 11:45 AM — 🚴 Ride to Sumner Beach
- 11:45 AM – 12:30 PM — 🍽 Lunch at Joe’s Garage Sumner
- 12:30 – 1:15 PM — 🏖 Beach relax & photos
- 1:15 – 2:30 PM — 🚴 Return ride
- 11:45 AM – 12:45 PM — 🍔 Lunch at Smash Palace
- 12:45 – 2:00 PM — Return, digest, change into activity clothes
- 3:00 – 5:30 PM — 🪂 Christchurch Adventure Park Zipline
- Late afternoon🚿 Reset · shower · relax
- 6:40 – 7:00 PM🎂 Cake & family photos
- 7:30 PM🎉 Birthday dinner — 5th Street · 5 Elgin St, Sydenham · ✓ Reservation confirmed · seasonal sharing plates · 98% recommend
- Night🧳 Pack for departure
Departure — Christchurch to Singapore
- MorningHead to Christchurch International Airport
- 10:50 AM✈️ SQ298 departs Christchurch · Arrives Singapore 17:40
V202603271929
🇳🇿 NZ South Island
14–25 June 2026
✈ SQ297 / SQ298 · 🚗 Self-drive · 👨👩👧👦 Family of 4
Christchurch → Hanmer Springs → Blenheim → Christchurch
Flights
SQ297
SIN → CHC
Sun 14 Jun 2026, 19:50 → Mon 15 Jun 2026, 09:30
Non-stop · Airbus A350-900
SQ298
CHC → SIN
Thu 25 Jun 2026, 10:50 → Thu 25 Jun 2026, 17:40
Non-stop · Airbus A350-900
Car Rental
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (or similar)
Ezi Car Rental Christchurch Airport
https://www.ezicarrental.co.nz/locations/christchurch-airport/
Pickup: Mon 15 Jun 2026, 11:30 AM
Drop-off: Thu 25 Jun 2026, 7:00 AM
Booking Ref: 714300435
Accommodation
| Location | Property | Dates | Nights | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christchurch | Riccarton Mall Motel 2 rooms Cancellation: Non-refundable | 15–18 Jun 2026 | 3 | Confirmed |
| Hanmer Springs | Alpine Garden Motel 2-bedroom apartment Cancellation: Free cancel before 14 Jun 2026 | 18–20 Jun 2026 | 2 | Confirmed |
| Blenheim | Centre Court Motel Booking ID: 1994958887 2 rooms Cancellation: Free cancel before 17 Jun 2026 | 20–22 Jun 2026 | 2 | Confirmed |
| Christchurch | Worcester Terrace One — Christchurch Holiday Homes Booking ID: 1995384631 | 22–25 Jun 2026 | 3 | Confirmed |
Weather Forecast
🌡 3–12°C🌅 ~8:05 AM🌇 ~4:55 PM
Day 0 · Sun 14 Jun · Departure
- Flight SQ297 departs Singapore at 19:50.
Day 1 · Mon 15 Jun · Arrival Christchurch
- 09:30 arrive Christchurch.
- 11:30 car pickup at Ezi Car Rental.
- 11:30–12:00 Drive to Riccarton 🚗 — ~10 km · ~20 min
- 12:00–12:30 try early check-in at Riccarton Mall Motel, or leave luggage.
- 12:30–5:30 light shopping at Westfield Riccarton.
- Dinner at Wendy’s Hornby.
- Optional Kmart.
- Early rest.
Day 2 · Tue 16 Jun · Christchurch Shopping Core
- 07:30–08:30 breakfast at Addington Coffee Co-op 🚗 — ~3 km · ~4 min
- 08:30–09:00 drive to Hornby 🚗 — ~8 km · ~10 min
- 10:00–14:30 main shopping block at Dress Smart Hornby.
- Lunch inside outlet.
- 15:00–15:40 quick stop at Lululemon Christchurch.
🅰️ Option A — Rest
- 15:45–17:30 return to motel and recharge.
🅱️ Option B — Ballantynes Upgrade
- 15:45–17:15 extended shopping at Ballantynes 🚶— ~210 m · ~3 min
- 18:00–19:15 dinner at Riverside Market.
Day 3 · Wed 17 Jun · Christchurch Cycling Day
- 07:30–08:15 breakfast at Grizzly Baked Goods 🚗 — ~4.1 km · ~8 min
- 09:00–09:20 bike setup at Action Bicycle Club 🚗 — ~3 km · ~4 min
- 09:20–12:15 ride around Hagley Park / Avon River / Botanic Gardens 🚴 — ~8 km · ~5 hours
- 12:15–13:15 lunch at Ilex Café.
- 13:15–14:45 shorter return loop.
- Go pet store or Bunnings / Mitre 10 (DIY shop)
- 15:00–16:00 groceries at New World for pre-cooked dinner and Day 4 breakfast items.
- Dinner options below
🅰️ Option A — Rest
- takeaway dinner in motel
- motel room may be small and no table?
Day 4 · Thu 18 Jun · Christchurch to Hanmer Springs
- 08:00–08:30 in-room breakfast (if room not condusive to eat, go cafe)
- 08:30–09:30 Christchurch to Amberley.
- 09:30–10:00 coffee at Little Vintage Espresso.
- 11:30–13:30 winery lunch at Black Estate CONFIRMED booking ref 79143775
- 13:30–14:45 Waipara to Hanmer.
- 14:45–15:15 check-in at Alpine Garden Motel.
- 15:30–17:45 thermal pools at Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools.
- 19:00 dinner at MK Restaurant.
🅰️ Option A — Easy Stargazing
- 20:45–21:15 simple sky check near motel.
🅱️ Option B — Better Sky
- 20:45–21:30 short outing to Dog Stream for darker skies.
Day 5 · Fri 19 Jun · Hanmer Hike + ATV
- Morning in-room breakfast.
- 08:45–11:30 hike Dog Stream Waterfall Track.
- 11:40–12:20 lunch at The Log Cabin.
- 14:00–17:00 ATV with Hanmer Springs Attractions.
- 18:30 dinner at Monteith’s Brewery Bar.
Day 6 · Sat 20 Jun · Hanmer to Blenheim
- 08:30–09:30 breakfast at Powerhouse Café.
- 09:30–11:45 drive Hanmer to Kaikōura.
- 11:45–12:00 stop at Ohau Point Seal Colony.
- 13:20–13:40 pit stop at The Store @ Seddon.
- 14:15–15:45 winery at Saint Clair Vineyard Kitchen.
- Late afternoon check-in at Centre Court Motel.
- 18:30 dinner at Raupo Café CONFIRMED booking ref 97735629
Day 7 · Sun 21 Jun · Blenheim Market + Wineries
- 09:00–10:30 Marlborough Farmers’ Market.
- 11:30–13:00 Cloudy Bay
- 13:15–14:45 Allan Scott.
- 15:00–17:30 rest at motel.
🅰️ Option A — Scotch Wine Bar
- 18:30–20:00 light, refined, wine-focused finish.
🅱️ Option B — Dodson Street Beer Garden
- 18:30–20:00 casual, hearty dinner with bigger portions.
Day 8 · Mon 22 Jun · Blenheim to Christchurch
- 08:30 leave Blenheim.
- 10:30–12:00 Kaikōura stop.
🅰️ Option A — Cods & Crayfish
- 10:45–11:45 iconic Kaikōura seafood lunch.
🅱️ Option B — Coopers Catch
- 10:45–11:45 safe, fast, reliable lunch.
- 12:00–14:30 drive to Christchurch.
- 14:30–15:30 check-in/reset at Worcester Terrace One — Christchurch Holiday Homes.
- 16:00–17:00 karting at Supa Karts Indoor Raceway. Monday hours 12–6 PM. Arrive early, closed shoes, best to pre-book.
- Simple dinner and rest.
Day 9 · Tue 23 Jun · Christchurch Two Modes Day
- 08:30–09:30 common start at Unknown Chapter Coffee Roasters.
🅰️ Option A — Tannery Mode
- 09:45–12:30 The Tannery: indoor artisan browsing, yarn/fabric, Alchemy Equipment.
- 12:00–13:00 lunch inside The Tannery.
- 13:15–13:30 cake pickup at Divine Cakes Blenheim Road.
- After pickup return to motel and store cake in fridge.
🅱️ Option B — Classic Picnic Mode
- 09:45–10:30 Knit World Christchurch.
- 10:45–11:00 cake pickup at Divine Cakes Blenheim Road.
- 11:15–12:00 picnic prep at New World.
- 12:15–13:45 picnic at Hagley Park.
- Parking: Rolleston Ave or Armagh Street.
- 14:15 / 14:30–16:45 common afternoon at Ballantynes, optional Decjuba / Glassons / Moochi.
- 17:00–18:00 reset.
- 18:00–19:30 simple dinner.
Day 10 · Wed 24 Jun · Jake’s 18th Birthday
- Morning sleep in and easy breakfast.
🅰️ Option A — Zipline Birthday Day
- 11:45–12:45 lunch at Smash Palace.
- 12:45–14:15 return, digest, change into activity clothes.
- 15:00–17:30 Christchurch Adventure Park Zipline.
🅱️ Option B — Cycle to Beach Day
- Route guide: Action Bicycle Club Sumner Beach Picnic Ride.
- 09:45–10:15 bike setup at Action Bicycle Club.
- 10:15–11:45 ride to Sumner.
- 11:45–12:30 lunch at Joe’s Garage Sumner.
- 12:30–13:15 beach relax and photos.
- 13:15–14:30 return ride.
- Late afternoon reset / shower / relax.
- 18:40–19:00 cake and family photos.
- 19:30 birthday dinner at 5th Street, CONFIRMED RESERVATION
- Night: pack for departure.
Departure · Thu 25 Jun · Christchurch to Singapore
- 06:15 leave accommodation.
- 07:00 return car to Ezi Car Rental.
- 10:50 SQ298 departs Christchurch.
v202603252202
10 day itinerary v202603252202
review notes
- confirmed Christchurch 1st leg accomodation
- confirmed Hanmer accomodation
- removed Hogarth Chocolate, not a factory visit
- chatgpt hallucinated luge in Christchurch! Removed
ai notes
itinerary crafted with chatgpt, manually verified all stops because chatgpt hallucinates. Used Claude to format, but hit 90% Claude limit in free mode. Asked Chatgpt to follow Claude html format
NZ South Island
14 – 25 June 2026 · Family Winter Road Trip
🛫 Flight Details
🚗 Car Rental
🏨 Accommodation
| Location | Property | Check-in | Check-out | Nights | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏙 Christchurch | Riccarton Mall Motel | 15 Jun | 18 Jun | 3 | ✓ Confirmed |
| ♨️ Hanmer Springs | Alpine Garden Motel | 18 Jun | 20 Jun | 2 | ✓ Confirmed |
| 🍷 Blenheim | Centre Court Motel (https://www.centrecourtmotel.co.nz) Booking ID: 1994958887 · 2 rooms · Free cancel before 17 Jun 2026 | 20 Jun | 22 Jun | 2 | ✓ Confirmed |
| 🏙 Christchurch | To Book | 22 Jun | 25 Jun | 3 | 📋 To Book |
📅 Day-by-Day Itinerary
Departure from Singapore
- EveningHead to Changi Airport Terminal 3 for SQ297.
- 7:50 PM✈ Flight departs Singapore for Christchurch.
Arrival in Christchurch · Light Landing Day
- 9:30 – 10:15 AMArrive Christchurch, clear immigration and collect bags.
- 10:15 – 11:15 AMAirport buffer for coffee, restroom, SIM setup or simply breathing after the overnight flight.
- 11:30 AM🚗 Pick up rental car from Ezi Car Rental (https://www.ezicarrental.co.nz/locations/christchurch-airport/).
- 11:30 AM – 12:00 PMDrive ~10 km to Riccarton. Early check-in if available; otherwise leave bags and head out.
- 12:30 – 5:30 PM🛍 Easy shopping block at Westfield Riccarton (https://www.westfield.co.nz/riccarton). Keep this light and practical on arrival day.
- DinnerSimple casual dinner at Wendy’s Hornby (https://www.wendys.co.nz/stores/wendys-hornby).
- EveningOptional Kmart stop if needed, then early rest.
Christchurch · Core Shopping Day
- 7:30 – 8:30 AM☕ Breakfast at Addington Coffee Co-op (https://www.addingtoncoffee.org.nz).
- 8:30 – 9:00 AMDrive to outlet area.
- 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM🛍 Main shopping block at Dress Smart Hornby (https://christchurch.dress-smart.co.nz/stores/). Best day for practical clothing and outlet brands.
- LunchFlexible lunch inside the outlet.
- 3:00 – 3:40 PMQuick targeted stop at Lululemon Christchurch (https://www.lululemon.co.nz).
🅰️ Option A · Rest Mode
- 3:45 – 5:30 PM return to motel.
- Best if everyone is already shopped out.
- Keeps energy high for cycling day tomorrow.
🅱️ Option B · Upgrade Shopping
- 3:45 – 5:15 PM continue to Ballantynes (https://www.ballantynes.co.nz).
- Best for mum’s nicer office wear browsing.
- Use only if energy levels are still good.
- 6:00 – 7:15 PM🍽 Dinner at Riverside Market (https://riverside.nz).
- EveningLight evening only. Optional Kmart if something is still missing.
Christchurch · Cycling Day with Easy Motel Dinner
- 7:30 – 8:15 AM🥐 Breakfast at Grizzly Baked Goods (https://grizzlybakedgoods.com/cashel-street).
- 8:15 – 8:45 AMDrive / move to bike rental.
- 9:00 – 9:20 AM🚴 Bike setup at Action Bicycle Club (https://www.actionbicycleclub.com/bike-hire/).
- 9:20 AM – 12:15 PMRide the Hagley Park loop and Avon-side stretches. Flat, scenic and low stress.
- 12:15 – 1:15 PMLunch at Ilex Café inside the Botanic Gardens area.
- 1:15 – 2:45 PMGentle return ride.
- ~3:00 PMReturn bikes.
- 3:00 – 4:00 PM🛒 Grocery stop at New World (https://www.newworld.co.nz). Buy pre-cooked meals for tonight, plus milk, bread, ham and cheese for tomorrow’s in-room breakfast.
- 4:30 PM onwardReturn to motel, shower, warm up and settle in.
- Dinner🍱 Eat New World pre-cooked meals in the motel room. Best recovery move before the Hanmer drive.
Christchurch → Hanmer Springs
- 8:00 – 8:30 AMIn-room breakfast using Day 3 groceries.
- 8:30 – 9:30 AMDrive Christchurch to Amberley.
- 9:30 – 10:00 AM☕ Coffee stop at Little Vintage Espresso (https://www.littlevintage.co.nz/).
- 10:00 – 10:15 AMDrive to Waipara.
- 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM🍷 Winery lunch at Black Estate (https://blackestate.co.nz/). This is the anchor stop of the drive north.
- 1:30 – 2:45 PMDrive Waipara to Hanmer Springs.
- 2:45 – 3:15 PMCheck in at Alpine Garden Motel (https://alpinegardenmotel.co.nz).
- 3:30 – 5:45 PM♨️ Relax at Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools (https://hanmersprings.co.nz).
- 7:00 PM🍽 Dinner at MK Restaurant.
🌌 Stargazing Option A
- Stay near the motel if energy is low.
- Easy, short, no extra driving.
🌌 Stargazing Option B
- Drive to Dog Stream area for darker sky.
- Best only if the sky is clear and everyone still has fuel in the tank.
Hanmer Springs · Hike + ATV
- 8:00 – 8:25 AMSimple breakfast in Hanmer.
- 8:45 – 11:30 AM🥾 Hike the Dog Stream Waterfall Track (https://planmywalk.nz/tracks/dog-stream-waterfall-track).
- 11:40 AM – 12:20 PMLunch at The Log Cabin.
- 2:00 – 5:00 PM🏎️ ATV session with Hanmer Springs Attractions (https://hanmerspringsattractions.nz).
- 6:30 PM🍽 Casual hearty dinner at Monteith’s Brewery Bar.
Hanmer → Kaikōura Coast → Blenheim
- 8:30 – 9:30 AMBreakfast at Powerhouse Café.
- 9:30 – 11:45 AMDrive Hanmer to Kaikōura.
- 11:45 AM – 12:00 PM🦭 Quick stop at Ohau Point Seal Colony.
- 12:20 – 1:20 PMDrive Kaikōura to Seddon.
- 1:20 – 1:40 PM🥪 Quick bite / coffee at The Store @ Seddon.
- 1:40 – 2:05 PMFinal drive into Blenheim.
- 2:15 – 3:45 PM🍷 Winery visit at Saint Clair Vineyard Kitchen (https://saintclair.co.nz/pages/vineyard-kitchen).
- 6:30 PM🍽 Dinner at Raupo Café.
Blenheim · Market + Wineries
- 9:00 – 10:30 AM🧺 Browse the Marlborough Farmers’ Market (https://www.marlboroughfarmersmarket.org.nz).
- 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM🍷 Winery 1: Cloudy Bay tasting. This should be pre-booked in winter.
- 1:15 – 2:45 PM🍷 Winery 2: Allan Scott for a more relaxed second stop.
- 3:00 – 5:30 PMReturn and rest. Important after two wine stops.
🅰️ Dinner Option · Scotch Wine Bar
- Best if you want to continue the wine-day mood.
- Lighter, more refined evening feel.
🅱️ Dinner Option · Dodson Street Beer Garden
- Best if everyone wants something heartier and more casual.
- Good choice after a full day of tasting.
Blenheim → Christchurch
- 8:30 – 9:00 AMLight breakfast.
- 9:00 – 11:00 AMDrive south to Kaikōura.
🅰️ Kaikōura Lunch · Cods & Crayfish
- Best experience lunch.
- Use this if the family wants the more memorable seafood stop.
🅱️ Kaikōura Lunch · Coopers Catch
- Safer, simpler and reliable.
- Good if you want to keep the stop fast and easy.
- 12:30 – 3:00 PMDrive Kaikōura to Christchurch.
- AfternoonCheck in, rest, or do a short shopping hit only if energy remains.
- 6:00 – 7:00 PM🏎️ Indoor fun at Supa Karts (https://www.supakarts.co.nz).
- DinnerSimple dinner afterwards.
Christchurch · Flexible Day with 2 Modes
- 8:30 – 9:30 AM☕ Common start at Unknown Chapter Coffee Roasters (https://unknownchapter.co.nz).
- After breakfastChoose the day’s vibe: indoor artisan browsing or classic yarn + picnic sequence.
🅰️ The Tannery Mode · Indoor + Artisan
- 9:45 AM – 12:30 PM browse The Tannery (https://www.tannery.co.nz).
- Great for yarn / fabric feel, unique shops, and the Alchemy Equipment stop.
- 12:00 – 1:00 PM easy lunch inside The Tannery.
- 1:15 – 1:30 PM pick up cake at Divine Cakes, Blenheim Road (https://divine.co.nz/pages/store-locator).
- Return to motel to store cake in fridge.
- 2:30 – 4:45 PM Ballantynes, with optional Decjuba / Glassons / Moochi.
🅱️ Classic Mode · Yarn + Picnic
- 9:45 – 10:30 AM yarn stop at Knit World Christchurch (https://knitting.co.nz/pages/knit-world-christchurch).
- 10:45 – 11:00 AM cake pickup at Divine Cakes (https://divine.co.nz/pages/store-locator).
- Return to motel and store cake before picnic prep.
- 11:15 AM – 12:00 PM shop picnic supplies at New World (https://www.newworld.co.nz).
- 12:15 – 1:45 PM picnic at Hagley Park. Parking: Rolleston Ave (https://maps.google.com/?q=Rolleston+Avenue+Christchurch) or Armagh Street (https://maps.google.com/?q=Armagh+Street+Christchurch).
- 2:15 – 4:45 PM Ballantynes afterwards.
- 5:00 – 6:00 PMCommon reset back at the motel.
- 6:00 – 7:30 PMCommon easy dinner.
- EveningRest. Good night to keep things calm before birthday day.
Jake’s 18th Birthday · Two Complete Paths
- 9:30 – 10:30 AMCommon relaxed start. Sleep in, easy breakfast, no rushing.
- Decision pointChoose one complete birthday experience only. Option A is the thrill day. Option B is the scenic beach ride day without zipline.
🅰️ Option A · Zipline Birthday Day
- 11:45 AM – 12:45 PM lunch at Smash Palace (https://thesmashpalace.co.nz).
- 12:45 – 2:15 PM return / digest / change into warm outdoor gear.
- 2:15 – 2:45 PM drive to Christchurch Adventure Park Zipline (https://zipchristchurch.com/the-long-ride/).
- 3:00 – 5:30 PM zipline session.
- 5:30 – 6:15 PM return and reset. This is exactly why dinner was moved later.
- 6:15 – 6:45 PM picnic-style cake moment and family photos.
- 7:30 PM birthday dinner at 5th Street.
🅱️ Option B · Cycle to Beach Day
- 9:45 – 10:15 AM bike setup at Action Bicycle Club (https://www.actionbicycleclub.com/bike-hire/).
- Route guide: Action Bicycle Club Sumner Beach Picnic Ride (https://www.actionbicycleclub.com/abc-routes-sumner-beach-picnic-ride/).
- 10:15 – 11:30/11:45 AM ride the Puari ki Rapanui / Coastal Pathway route to Sumner.
- 11:45 AM – 12:30 PM lunch at Joe’s Garage Sumner (https://www.joes.co.nz/sumner/menu/before-5pm).
- 12:30 – 1:15 PM beach relax and photos.
- 1:15 – 2:30 PM cycle back.
- 2:30 – 5:30 PM long reset block. No zipline on this version; combining both would feel rushed.
- 6:00 – 6:40 PM cake + family photos.
- 7:30 PM birthday dinner at 5th Street.
- 7:30 PM🍽 Birthday dinner at 5th Street. Later timing gives healthy buffer for either option.
- After dinnerPack for departure and keep the night gentle.
Departure from Christchurch
- 6:15 AMLeave motel.
- 6:30 AMArrive Christchurch Airport area.
- 7:00 AMReturn rental car to Ezi Car Rental.
- 10:50 AM✈ SQ298 departs Christchurch for Singapore.
2026-03-18
10 day itinerary v2026-03-18
ai notes
info curated with chatgpt, formated with claude
NZ South Island
15 – 24 June 2026 · Family Getaway
🛫 Flight Details
🏨 Accommodation
| Location | Check-in | Check-out | Nights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏙 Christchurch | 15 Jun | 18 Jun | 3 |
| ♨️ Hanmer Springs | 18 Jun | 20 Jun | 2 |
| 🍷 Blenheim | 20 Jun | 22 Jun | 2 |
| 🏙 Christchurch | 22 Jun | 25 Jun | 3 |
📅 Day-by-Day Itinerary
Christchurch — Arrival
- 9:40 – 10:30 AMArrive, immigration & baggage collection
- 10:30 – 11:15 AMRental car pickup
- 11:30 AM – 12:30 PMCheck-in — Riccarton Mall Motel
- 12:30 – 1:15 PMLunch
- 1:15 – 4:30 PMShopping — Macpac & Kathmandu @ Riccarton
- 5:30 – 6:30 PMDinner
Christchurch — Chocolate, Shopping & Karting
- 7:30 – 8:15 AM☕ Breakfast — Addington Coffee Co-op
- 8:20 – 9:00 AM🍫 Chocolate visit — Hogarth Chocolate
- 9:30 AM – 2:30 PMOutlet shopping — Dress Smart Hornby
- 3:00 – 3:40 PMLululemon
- 3:45 – 6:15 PMEarly dinner — Riverside Market
- 7:00 – 8:30 PM🏎️ Karting — Supakarts Indoor Raceway
Christchurch — Cycling & Coffee
- 9:00 – 9:30 AMBike pickup — Pushbikes Christchurch
- 9:30 – 11:00 AM🚴 Cycle — Hagley Park + Avon River
- 11:00 AM – 12:15 PMBrunch — Unknown Chapter Coffee Roasters
- 12:15 – 2:30 PMFree time / rest
- 2:30 – 4:30 PM🏎️ Karting backup (or 6:00 – 8:00 PM)
- EveningDinner
Christchurch → Hanmer Springs
- 8:30 – 9:00 AMBreakfast
- 9:00 – 10:15 AM🚗 Drive
- 10:15 – 11:00 AMLunch stop — Little Vintage Espresso or Nor’Wester Cafe
- 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM🚗 Drive to Hanmer
- 12:00 – 1:00 PMCheck-in & settle
- 3:30 – 6:00 PM♨️ Thermal pools
- 6:30 – 7:30 PMDinner
Hanmer — Hike, ATVs & Thermal Pools
- 9:00 – 11:00 AM🥾 Hike — Dog Stream Track
- 11:30 AM – 12:30 PMLunch
- 1:30 – 3:00 PM🛻 ATV Quad Bikes — Hanmer Springs Attractions
- 3:30 – 6:00 PM♨️ Thermal pools
- 6:30 – 7:30 PMDinner
Hanmer → Kaikōura → Blenheim
- 8:00 – 8:30 AMBreakfast
- 8:30 – 10:45 AM🚗 Drive to Kaikōura
- 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM🦞 Lunch — Coopers Catch Kaikoura
- 12:00 – 1:30 PM🌊 Walk — Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway + Lighthouse
- 1:30 – 4:00 PM🚗 Drive to Blenheim
- 4:00 – 5:30 PMCheck-in & rest
- 6:00 – 7:30 PMDinner
Blenheim — Relaxed Winery Day 🍷
- 9:00 – 10:00 AM🧺 Marlborough Farmers’ Market
- 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM🍷 Winery 1 — Cloudy Bay Cellar Door (tasting)
- 12:15 – 1:30 PMLight lunch
- 2:00 – 3:30 PM🍷 Winery 2 — Wither Hills Restaurant (tasting)
- 3:45 – 5:30 PM🌿 Rest
- EveningSimple dinner / takeaway / wine in
Blenheim → Christchurch
- 8:30 – 9:00 AMBreakfast
- 9:00 – 11:45 AM🚗 Drive south
- 11:45 AM – 12:15 PM🧀 Cheese stop — Kaikōura Cheese
- 1:15 – 2:15 PMLunch — Cheviot Trust Hotel
- 2:15 – 4:00 PM🚗 Drive to Christchurch
- 4:30 – 5:30 PM☕ Coffee — Addington Coffee Co-op (optional)
- 6:00 – 7:30 PMDinner
Christchurch — Cycling & Picnic
- 9:00 – 9:30 AMBreakfast
- 9:30 – 10:00 AMBike pickup — Pushbikes Christchurch
- 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM🚴 Cycle — Hagley Park
- 12:00 – 1:00 PMReturn bikes + lunch
- 3:45 – 5:15 PM🧺 Picnic — Hagley Park (golden hour ~4:15 PM)
- 5:30 – 7:00 PMDinner
Christchurch — Last Day 🎂
- 9:30 – 11:30 AMEasy morning
- 12:00 – 1:00 PMLunch
- 1:30 – 4:30 PM🎿 Skyline Luge Christchurch
- 6:30 PM🎉 Dinner — 5th Street
- 8:00 PM🎂 Birthday cake!
Departure — Christchurch to Singapore
- MorningHead to Christchurch International Airport
- 10:50 AM✈️ SQ298 departs Christchurch · Arrives Singapore 17:40
v2026-03-04
10 day itinerary v2026-03-04
Swapped Blenheim and Hanmer so we can visit Marborough markets in Blenheim on Sunday.
ai notes
info curated with chatgpt, formated by chatgpt
