Visitors traveling on main highways between cities and towns can sometimes miss wonderful opportunities to experience what is on offer, as they make their way to their destination. www.statehighway1.nzprovides many opportunities for tourists to explore a very scenic and thriving region of New Zealand. This appealing tourist route links a number of delightful towns and villages between Hornby and Glenavy. 

State Highway 1 is the longest and most significant road in the New Zealand, running the length of both main islands. South of Rolleston, SH1 crosses the wide fan of the Canterbury plains, crossing the country’s longest bridge at Rakaia before coming to Ashburton then crossing Rangitata Island in the Rangitata River before veering towards the coast on the approach to Timaru.South of Timaru, the road passes through gentle hill country, staying close to the coast. The road veers inland briefly, as it reaches the plains around the mouth of the Waitaki River, which it crosses to enter the Otago region. ThisRoute also gives easy access to Wanaka and Queenstown at Pukeuri (SH83/SH 8).