From Christchurch, the route heads southeast to Banks Peninsula; there are alternatives for the return.

From Cathedral Square, drive south along Colombo Street. After several blocks, turn west (to the right) on to Moorhouse Avenue and follow signs to the left for Akaroa, leading to SH75.

The route leaving the city leads across flat country to Birdlings Flat, skirting Lake Ellesmere, a shallow wetland separated from the sea by the gravelly Kaitorete Spit.

Turn inland to Little River, a former railway terminus.

From here the road climbs steeply up to Hilltop for views over Akaroa Harbour, the crater of an extinct volcano.

The road then drops steeply and follows the harbor round to Akaroa, 83km from Christchurch.

Akaroa's Gallic ancestry is clearly visible in street names and architecture. In addition to local walks, gardens, a museum, and a historic lighthouse, a worthwhile attraction is a cruise around the harbor. The Canterbury Cat operates daily at 1:30pm for two hours, often sighting Hector's dolphins, penguins, and seals.

There are alternative return routes to Christchurch, including the high, narrow Summit Road. Either follow the ridge around to Hilltop, or cross over to follow a hilly route round to Lyttelton Harbour. From there, choose the tunnel, the Dyers Pass route to Christchurch, or take the Evans Pass route on to Sumner Beach, and then continue your journey to Christchurch.