Arrival + Christchurch to Timaru

We arrived in Christchurch just past midnight and went straight to the Airport Novotel, hoping to get some rest and begin adjusting to the New Zealand timezone. Fortunately, the girls managed to get some sleep on the flight also, so we weren’t too out of sync. While we allowed ourselves a bit of a sleep-in (well, except for me—my internal clock tends to be stubborn!), we were soon ready to kick off the day. Jonathan headed out to pick up our motorhome nearby, while the girls and I got showered and prepared for the adventure ahead.

Supplies and Preparation

By mid-morning, we left the airport and set out in search of a café for breakfast—or more accurately, brunch by the time we arrived. Next, we needed to stock up on groceries. As expected, this first grocery trip took longer than anticipated. If I could go back, I’d definitely recommend arranging an online grocery order in advance for pickup—it would save so much time. Once the fridge and cupboards were filled, we made a stop at Kmart to buy duvets and bedding. While the motorhome included two double blankets and linens, we’re very Danish at heart and much prefer duvets and individual duvets particularly – none of us are particularly good at sharing! With a month of travel ahead, investing in our own bedding was a decision we didn’t regret for a second.

The Roadtrip begins

After wrapping up the initial shopping, we were finally ready to head southbound out of Christchurch. I sipped on a nice flat white, while the rest of the family enjoyed a lakrish pipe – which is tradition to kick off a road trip for us (again very danish ;))! Since it was already mid-afternoon by the time we hit the road, we decided not to push it too far on our first day.

Timaru

We made our way to Timaru, where I had pinpointed a potential overnight spot by the water, along with the Speights Ale House as a dining option. However, upon arrival, we discovered a large concert was scheduled at the Ale House that evening (it was Friday, though we hadn’t been keeping track of the days). With two kids in tow and the whole family still somewhat jetlagged, this didn’t seem like the right fit.

Fortunately, we had passed a cozy little spot called Curbside Toastie on the way, and something about it had caught my attention—after all, who doesn’t love a good toastie? It ended up being exactly what we needed. The toasties (and fries) were fantastic, and the staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming. It was the perfect stop, and I’d wholeheartedly recommend a visit to anyone passing through or staying in Timaru.

After a quick and satisfying early dinner, we returned to the camper to settle in for the night. I took some time to unpack and get things organized while Jonathan and I shared a small whisky to toast the official “start” of our New Zealand road trip.