Why Methven is the Perfect First Night Stop After Picking Up Your Campervan in Christchurch
- Jul 13
- 9 min read
For many travellers, Christchurch is where the South Island adventure begins. After landing, collecting your rental campervan, completing the handover, and stocking up on groceries, it's often mid to late afternoon before you're ready to hit the road. While it can be tempting to spend your first night in Christchurch, we think there's a much better option.
Just over an hour's drive west of the city, Methven is the ideal place to ease into your New Zealand campervan holiday. The drive is straightforward, the roads are quiet, and before long you'll swap city traffic for wide-open Canterbury plains with the Southern Alps appearing on the horizon. It's the perfect first drive to build confidence behind the wheel of your campervan without tackling busy highways or winding mountain roads.
Once you arrive, you'll find a welcoming alpine village with excellent places to eat, quality campgrounds, and plenty of space to relax after a long day of travel. Whether you unwind in the famous Ōpuke Thermal Pools & Spa, enjoy dinner at a local pub, or simply settle into your campsite beneath the stars, Methven helps you feel like your holiday has truly begun.
Better still, spending your first night in Methven gives you a head start on your South Island campervan itinerary.
The following morning you're already well positioned to continue towards Lake Tekapo, Aoraki/Mount Cook, the Mackenzie Basin, or the inland scenic routes, making the most of every day of your campervan adventure.
Why Methven Makes the Perfect First Stop
After a long flight and your campervan pickup, you don't need to cover hundreds of kilometres on your first day. Methven strikes the perfect balance - it's far enough from Christchurch to feel like your holiday has truly begun, but close enough to reach comfortably without feeling rushed.
The drive from Christchurch to Methven is around 95 kilometres and typically takes about 1 hour 30 minutes. It's an ideal introduction to driving a campervan in New Zealand, with wide, well-maintained roads, relatively light traffic once you leave the city, and plenty of opportunities to stop if you need a break.
If you're new to driving a larger vehicle or adjusting to driving on the left-hand side of the road, this route is a great confidence builder before tackling the South Island's more challenging alpine roads.
Leave the City Behind
Rather than spending your first night in Christchurch, you'll quickly find yourself surrounded by open farmland, mountain views and the relaxed atmosphere of rural Canterbury. Within little more than an hour, the pace changes completely.
Methven is a small, welcoming town where everything is easy to find. Parking a campervan is straightforward, traffic is minimal, and you can settle into holiday mode without the bustle of the city.
Get the Essentials Sorted
Christchurch is the best place to stock up before beginning your road trip further afield. Pick up your groceries, fill the fridge, grab any last-minute camping supplies, and top up with fuel before heading inland towards the mountains. A good place to pick up groceries is the Woolworths Christchurch Airport supermarket - stocking up here is a good option as grocery prices are higher outside of the main cities. Then by the time you arrive in Methven, all that's left to do is check into your campsite, put your feet up, and enjoy your first evening.
Reward Yourself After a Long Travel Day
Whether you've just stepped off an international flight or spent the morning collecting your campervan, Methven offers the perfect opportunity to unwind.
Take a soak in the renowned Ōpuke Thermal Pools & Spa, enjoy dinner at one of the town's friendly pubs or restaurants, or simply relax at your campsite with views of the surrounding countryside. It's a far more memorable way to spend your first night than staying in another city hotel or campground.
We highly recommend the Ōpuke Thermal Pools & Spa. It's an incredibly relaxing experience. Set against the backdrop of the Southern Alps, Ōpuke combines naturally heated water with stunning mountain views to create one of the South Island's premier wellness destinations. The complex features a range of thermal pools at different temperatures, allowing you to soak away the aches and fatigue of travel while enjoying the peaceful alpine setting.
Adults can choose the tranquil Tranquility Pools, designed for a quiet, restorative experience, while families will enjoy the Discovery Pools, which include interactive water features and areas suitable for children. For those wanting to indulge a little more, the day spa offers a selection of massages and wellness treatments that are perfect for recovering after a long-haul flight.
One of the unique aspects of Ōpuke is its commitment to sustainability. The pools are heated using New Zealand's first large-scale solar-powered thermal energy system, making it an environmentally conscious attraction that complements the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape.
We recommend booking your visit in advance, particularly during weekends, school holidays and the winter ski season, as sessions can fill up quickly, often a few days in advance. An evening soak is especially memorable, with the crisp Canterbury air and views towards the mountains providing the perfect start to your South Island campervan adventure.
A Head Start on Your South Island Adventure
One of the biggest advantages of staying in Methven is what it sets up for the following day. Instead of battling Christchurch traffic first thing in the morning, you'll already be well on your way.
From Methven it's easy to continue towards Lake Tekapo, Aoraki / Mount Cook, the Mackenzie Basin, Geraldine, or even explore nearby Mount Hutt and the Canterbury High Country before heading further south. Starting your journey here means you'll spend less time driving out of the city and more time enjoying the incredible landscapes that make the South Island so special.
Where to Stay in Methven
Despite its small size, Methven offers excellent overnight options for campervan travellers. Whether you're looking for a full-service holiday park with powered sites or a peaceful campground close to town, you'll find everything you need for a comfortable first night on the road.
Methven Camping Ground
If you're looking for a classic Kiwi camping experience to kick start your trip, Methven Camping Ground is an excellent choice for your first night on the road. Set in spacious, park-like grounds just a short walk from the town centre, it offers a relaxed atmosphere with plenty of room for campervans of all sizes.
Powered and unpowered sites are available, along with cabins for travellers not camping in a motorhome. The campground has everything you need after a day of travelling, including hot showers, a fully equipped communal kitchen, laundry facilities, a cosy lounge with a log fire, and a games room with pool and table tennis. Families will also appreciate the children's playground, while the large open grounds provide plenty of space to spread out and unwind.
One of the campground's biggest advantages is its location. It's only a three-minute walk to Methven's cafés, restaurants and supermarket, and just a short drive, or around a 10-minute walk, to the popular Ōpuke Thermal Pools & Spa. This makes it easy to park the campervan for the evening and explore the town on foot.
Methven Camping Ground Rates:
Power sites:
$32.00 one Adult/$48.00 two Adults
Each additional Adult $15.00
Children (2 – 17yrs) $10.00 each
Tent | Non powered sites:
$25.00 one Adult/ $42.00 two Adults
Each additional adult $15.00
Children (2 – 17yrs) $10.00 each
Methven Camping Ground Location & Contact details:
72 Barkers Road, Methven 7730
Phone +6433028005
Freedom Camping
If you're travelling in a certified self-contained campervan, there are freedom camping opportunities in the wider Ashburton District.
For your first night in New Zealand, we'd generally recommend choosing a holiday park instead. After a long flight and a busy day collecting your campervan, having access to powered sites, hot showers and modern facilities makes for a much more relaxing start to your adventure.
Our Recommendation
For your first night on the road, choose a powered site at one of Methven's holiday parks and arrive before sunset if possible. This gives you plenty of time to get organised, enjoy dinner in town or visit Ōpuke Thermal Pools & Spa, and wake up refreshed for the next stage of your South Island road trip.
It's a relaxed, stress-free way to begin your campervan adventure and a far more memorable experience than spending your first evening in the city.
Places to Eat and Drink in Methven
After a day of flights, collecting your campervan, navigating a new city and stocking up on groceries, cooking your first meal is probably the last thing you'll feel like doing. That's why we recommend treating yourself to dinner out on your first night.
Not only does it make for a much more relaxing start to your holiday, but it also means you can get settled into your campsite without the hassle of unpacking the kitchen, washing dishes or wondering where you've packed the can opener! Save the cooking for the scenic campsites later in your trip, your first evening is all about unwinding.
The Blue Pub
A Methven institution, Blue Pub Methven is one of the town's most recognisable landmarks. Housed in a character-filled heritage building, it's a favourite with both locals and visitors and has a warm, welcoming atmosphere that's perfect after a day on the road.
The menu offers all the classic pub favourites you'd expect, from gourmet burgers and steaks to hearty mains and sharing platters, along with a great selection of local beers and New Zealand wines. If you're travelling during winter or over a busy weekend, you'll often find live music adding to the lively atmosphere.
The Brown Pub
Just along the road, The Brown Pub offers a slightly different feel but is equally popular. Known for its relaxed atmosphere and generous pub meals, it's another excellent choice for families, couples and groups travelling through the region.
Like its blue counterpart, the Brown Pub serves classic New Zealand pub cuisine alongside local beers on tap, making it an ideal spot to enjoy a casual dinner before heading back to your campsite. It's the sort of place where muddy mountain bikers, skiers, campers and locals all feel equally at home.
Plenty More to Choose From
For a town of its size, Methven has an impressive dining scene. If pub fare isn't what you're after, you'll also find cafés, pizza, Indian cuisine, Irish hospitality and modern restaurants all within easy walking distance of the town centre.
Our Recommendation
Keep your first evening simple. Park the campervan, check into your campsite, enjoy a soak at Ōpuke Thermal Pools if you've booked a session, then head into town for dinner.
It's a relaxed, hassle-free way to begin your South Island adventure and you'll have plenty of opportunities to cook under the stars once you're deeper into your road trip.
Where to Next?
One of the biggest advantages of spending your first night in Methven is that you're already well on your way into the heart of the South Island. Rather than spending the morning navigating Christchurch traffic, you can enjoy a leisurely breakfast before continuing your adventure.
Where you head next depends on how much time you have and the type of trip you're planning, but these are some of our favourite options.
Lake Tekapo (Approx. 2½ Hours)
For many travellers, Lake Tekapo is the obvious next stop. The drive takes you through the rolling farmland of inland Canterbury before opening up to the stunning turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo and the dramatic Southern Alps beyond.
Spend the afternoon exploring the lakeshore, visit the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd, soak in the Tekapo Springs hot pools, or simply enjoy one of New Zealand's most spectacular alpine landscapes.
Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park
If you're keen to immerse yourself in the mountains, continue beyond Lake Tekapo towards Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park. This world-renowned alpine destination offers incredible scenery, short walks such as the Hooker Valley Track, glacier views and some of the best stargazing anywhere in the world. It's a fantastic option if you have several days to explore the Mackenzie region.
Geraldine
For a slower-paced journey, head south to the charming country town of Geraldine. Known for its boutique shops, artisan food producers and relaxed atmosphere, it's a great place to enjoy a coffee, browse local galleries or stock up on homemade treats before continuing your road trip.
Mount Hutt and the Canterbury High Country
If you're visiting during winter or simply want to experience some incredible alpine scenery consider spending time visting the Mount Hutt Ski Field before continuing your journey.
Ski equipment can be hired in Methven on up on the mountain. However we advise not to drive the ski field access road in a campervan - it can be a white knuckle ride - you're better off getting a transfter up the moutain from Methven town centre. Methven travel operate a ski bus that can be booked in advance.
Continue Your South Island Road Trip
Whether your ultimate destination is Queenstown, Wānaka, the West Coast, Fiordland or Dunedin, starting your journey in Methven gives you a valuable head start. You've already left the city behind, settled into campervan life, and can spend your second day enjoying the scenery instead of focusing on logistics.
Our advice? Don't rush. One of the best parts of travelling by campervan is the freedom to stop whenever something catches your eye. Take the scenic route, explore the small towns along the way, and enjoy the journey as much as the destination.
Comments