Looking for the perfect romantic escape? The Alpine Pacific Touring Route has got you covered. Just a quick drive from Christchurch International Airport, this stunning route feels tailor-made for couples who want a weekend filled with adventure, relaxation, and plenty of memorable moments. Picture you and your significant other cruising through breathtaking landscapes, stopping at cosy coastal towns, soaking in natural hot springs, and sipping wine in the vineyards of Waipara. The Alpine Pacific Touring Route is 450km’s of scenic roads between Christchurch and Kaikōura that are perfect for romantic getaways. Whether you’re into exploring or just want to chill out and enjoy each other’s company, the Alpine Pacific Touring Route has something for every couple.
From candlelit dinners with fresh seafood by the sea to serene strolls through beautiful forests, this route packs romance at every turn. It’s close enough to the city for a weekend getaway but feels worlds away from the daily grind, offering those special, unforgettable moments you’ll treasure forever. So, grab your partner and get ready to fall in love with the Alpine Pacific Touring Route!
1. Ōtautahi Christchurch to Waipara
Start as you intend to carry on, with a leisurely leg of the Alpine Pacific Touring Route to get your romantic getaway off to a great start. Whether you’ve flown into Christchurch International Airport or arrived in the city by car, hit State Highway 1 and begin your journey north. In less than an hour you’ll be in the Waipara Valley with vineyards, cellar doors and restaurants. Must-visits include Greystone Winery where you can taste wine that’s been grown and made on-site, George’s Road Winery for Rosé and Pinot Gris, and Black Estate whose cellar door and restaurant boasts the most incredible views of their organic vineyard and the rolling hills of the Waipara Valley.
Slowing down and taking time to enjoy the scenery is the ideal way to jumpstart holiday mode. Explore what the North Canterbury wine region has to offer, then find the perfect place to stay. After a wine and food adventure fit for a couple on holiday, rest your heads under the stars at the Greystone PurePod that sits above the vineyard itself.
2. Waipara to Hanmer Springs
Continue exploring Hurunui on your next leg of the Alpine Pacific Touring Route, journeying from Waipara to the beautiful Hanmer Springs. Hanmer Springs is the perfect place to fill your days with sightseeing, adventure and spa days, only to stay in and relax in the evenings. Hanmer Springs Hotel has an unmatched location, just a 5-minute walk from Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools, and the beautiful gardens and huge trees will put you straight into holiday mode. A night near Hanmer Springs at Mt Lyford Holiday Homes would be the ultimate remote couples escape with unique log cabins featuring outdoor hot tubs to take you to the wilderness in a relaxing, comfortable way.
See the sights on a jet boat ride with Energy Jet, the best fast-paced ride on Hurunui River. Treat your adventurous other half to a bungy jump, or take the leap together and do a tandem bungy! Hanmer Springs Attractions is the home of good times in this alpine playground.
Before you leave, hit some of the iconic walking trails through the forest in Hanmer Springs. Discover all the very best walks on the Alpine Pacific Touring Route here.
3. Hanmer Springs to Kaikōura
Hanmer Springs to Kaikōura is a picturesque drive through the mountains, and the destination is a coastal town home to incredible natural wonders. Get up early and reach Kaikōura in under 2 hours. Thanks to these short driving distances, you can fit a full days worth of activities in during your time in Kaikōura. Make your couples getaway on the Alpine Pacific Touring Route memorable with an experience with Dolphin Encounter. Swimming with dolphins in Kaikōura will be a special shared memory for years to come. See the beauty of this area and the wildlife from above with South Pacific Helicopters or Wings Over Whales. An iconic Kaikōura experience is Kaikōura Kayaks where you can paddle among the Dusky Dolphins. Be sure to indulge in a seafood dinner by the coast while in Kaikōura to soak up everything this amazing place has to offer.
Hapuku Lodge & Treehouses is a perfect place to stay for couples near Kaikōura. Lodge suites and rooms and treehouses are nestled at the base of the Kaikōura Seaward Mountain Range, with breathtaking views of mountains and coastal greenery.
Spanning from Christchurch to Kaikōura, the Alpine Pacific Touring Route is packed with incredible places to stay along the coast, in the mountains and among the vines. If you and your partner are due some time away together, be sure to make your accommodation a highlight. Take to the mountains at Lake Stella Mountain Huts between Hanmer Springs and Kaikōura, adding an extra night to your couples getaway.
4. Kaikōura to Christchurch
One of the most scenic stretches of the Alpine Pacific Touring Route is the drive from Kaikōura to Christchurch. Cruise along the coast, through charming small towns like Cheviot and Amberley and into the big city. The drive itself is the highlight of the getaway. Places to stay along the coast are incredible, including Atatū PurePod in Greta Valley with views of farmland and coastline, and the glass walls and ceiling make you feel one with the landscape. Matai Peak, 40 minutes south of Kaikōura, is the perfect remote, cosy retreat with unbeatable views out to the Pacific Ocean. A secluded hillside location with a private outdoor spa to watch the night sky from; it’s the ideal place for a couple to escape and connect. Add an extra night along the way and stay at one of these beautiful spots along the Alpine Pacific Touring Route.
Once you’re back in Christchurch, there are plenty of incredible ways to end your couples getaway. If your idea of fun is adrenaline-filled adventure, check out Christchurch Adventure Park for dual ziplining, scenic walking trails and more. Enjoy a unique and iconic dinner together on The Tramway Restaurant with Christchurch Attractions, and turn on the romance one last time river punting tour along the Avon River. With special offers ideal for couples getaways, Fable Christchurch is a fantastic base for your city exploring and an indulgent end to a memorable holiday on the East Coast.
This article was created in paid partnership with Alpine Pacific Touring Route.
