Christchurch Travel Forum

We're going to be in Australia in July and August and were wondering whether a trip to Christchurch and surrounding area would be worthwhile in August or woujld it be really cold there at that time of year. Would it be advisable to rent a car or would many of the roads be impassable due to snow?

Any advice will be appreciated.

hi there! OK first question are you talking about Christchurch in NEW ZEALAND? As it is in a totaly different country.IF not it does not snow that much in Australia.

Yes, of course, New Zealand. The question is whether it would be unplesantly cold there at that time of year in order to visit many of the more popular scenic sites.

It is quite cold but the snow is mostly in the mountains! It is still better to hire a car -provided with chains in case you want to go to the snow in the mountains or if not just request them and they are free at least when we rented ours then..

Mt Hutt is just near if you're going to Christchurch and roads are passable, don't worry, unless there are reports of unusual snowfalls. Anyway there's more snow cover in the Queenstown area, not Christchurch especially when we were there in July a couple of years ago. Plus even NZ is affected by global warming (as most nations are) so it is not that cold anymore, according to my internet mates.

Go to newzealand.com for more info on the weather, etc.

Btw, you might pick up other tips at my Christchurch page, if you got time! Cheers!

Before I emigrated to New Zealand my Kiwi husband told me that in Christchurch it would snow once in ten years only. Now we have been married for six years and I have spent four winters here, and it has snowed every winter. So much about global warming in Christchurch ;-)

But true, if it snows it does not snow for days and days without end. The most affected areas are the outer suburbs in the Port Hills, and on a snowy day you better avoid them because NZ'ers are absolutely not used to driving on snow, and the cars either - they do not have winter tyres.

At most times the roads are clear of snow but pass roads might be closed on some days, or you are only allowed to drive with chains. As said, it does not happen very often.

If you had typed some information about yourself on your VT page I could tell you if you would find Christchurch uncomfortably cold in winter. For people from northern and central Europe I would say no, as it gets much colder there. In Chch night temperatures do not drop under zero, and during the day it can be so nice in the sunshine that you would walk up the hills in shorts. Normal winter outfit would be jeans and anorak. If you are in a house it can feel colder as most houses have no central heating, and the first thing in the morning is to turn on the heater...

BUT: You get spectacular vistas if there is snow in the mountains, and some trips (like for example, the TranzAlpine train trip) are more spectacular in winter, with those snow-capped mountains. A trip to Arthur's Pass in winter is unforgettable - and you do not have to get stuck in the snow for that LOL Another great day trip in winter is to Hanmer Springs where you sit outside in the steaming hot pools, sweating, and the snowy mountains all around you, and sometimes you even walk through the snow on your way from pool to pool.

The only not so good thing about winter in Christchurch is the air pollution because we still have too many dirty open fires here, so often a dirty layer of smog hangs over the city. To escape this you could look at getting accommodation on the other side of the Port Hills in Lyttelton (small hotel, quite a lot of B&B's, one backpackers hostel). Here the sky over the harbour is always clear - if it does not snow or rain... ;-) - and the night temperatures in the sheltered harbour area are up to five degrees higher than in Christchurch. As you have easy bus connection to the city centre, this would be no hassle at all.

Sissi

I would clearly prefer renting a car to a campervan, as it would be easier to navigate in difficult conditions. And sleeping in a warm hotel or motel or whatever room is also more appealing than freezing in a van.

However, many tourists travel by campervan in winter. But I have talked to some of them, and most of them are really freezing at night...

From Christchurch I would absolutely visit the Lake Tekapo/Mt. Cook area in winter, it is spectacular.

If you decide to rent a car you will need chains for your tyres, but the snow is starting to clear now so you may not have many problems. Invest in some just in case - they should be available for hire too. Have a great trip!

It is just starting to snow again. And yesterday I drove to the West Coast and back, and there was still snow along the road, and this will become a lot more again. You just have to be prepared for everything in July and August - and be happy if you get through without problem.