Planning your itinerary

Claremont is a not only a superb place to stay, but also fits very conveniently into many South Island self-drive itineraries, whether you are arriving or departing Christchurch by air or traveling by car to or from the North Island. We are an ideal base from which to explore Canterbury.

We are located just 45 minutes easy drive or a mere 12 minutes helicopter ride north from Christchurch airport. As a secluded and luxury high-country retreat, Claremont is the perfect place to relax and recover from your long haul international flight. Alternatively, you can keep the best till last and spend the last few days of your South Island holiday at Claremont before flying out!

Claremont is:
	en route from Christchurch airport heading to Kaikoura, Blenheim and the Marlborough Sounds or vice-versa. on the edge of the Alpine Pacific Triangle which is regarded as one of the world’s great scenic drives. whale watching at Kaikoura is a great day’s excursion from Claremont via the Alpine Pacific Triangle drive.
Click this map to enlarge
close to the junction between SH 1 and Route 7, leading to Hanmer Springs thermal pools, the Lewis Pass and the West Coast or North to Nelson. conveniently close to Inland Scenic Route 72 leading to Mt Cook, Wanaka and Queenstown or to the West Coast via Arthur’s Pass.

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Self–drive itineraries

Claremont Country Estate's luxury accommodation is located just 45 minutes drive North of Christchurch International airport.

To Claremont
The following are the indicative driving times to Claremont:

South - from Picton, Blenheim or Marlborough Sounds
Take State Highway 1 South
Picton to Claremont approx 4 hours
Blenheim 3 hours
Kaikoura 1 ½ hours.

South – from Nelson & Able Tasman Park
Take State Highway 6, then 65 South to SH 7 South
Nelson to Claremont approx 4 ½ hours
(via the Lewis Pass and Hanmer Springs)

North – from Christchurch airport
Take State Highway 1 North to Amberley
Airport to Claremont 45 mins
City Centre to Claremont 60 minutes

North from Queenstown, Wanaka, Tekapo, Geraldine
Take State Highway 8 North then Route 79 and Route 72
Queenstown to Claremont approx 6 hours
Wanaka 5 hours
Tekapo 4 hours, Mt Cook 4 ½ hours
Geraldine 3 hours

North from Dunedin or Omaru
Take State Highway 1 North then Route 72
Dunedin to Claremont approx 6 hours
Omaru 4 hours

Following are the indicative driving times from Claremont:

North - to Blenheim, Marlborough Sounds and the Abel Tasman park
Take State Highway 1 North
Kaikoura and whale watching 1 ½ hours
Blenheim and Marlborough wineries approx 3 ½ hours
Picton and the ferry to Wellington approx 4 hours

West - to coast and Franz Joseph Glacier via Arthur’s Pass
Take Inland Scenic Route 72 South and then Route 73 West
Arthur’s Pass approx 2 ½ hours
West Coast 4-5 hours

South - to Tekapo, Mt Cook, Wanaka or Queenstown
Take Inland Scenic Route 72 South, Route 79 South and Route 8 South
Geraldine approx 3 hours
Tekapo 4 hours
Mount Cook 4 ½ hours
Wanaka 5 hours
Queenstown 6 hours

South - to Omaru and Dunedin
Take Inland Scenic Route 72 South and then State Highway 1 South
Geraldine approx 3 hours
Omaru 4 hours
Dunedin 6 hours

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