Christchurch to Hamner Springs drive

We arrive from Sydney at 14.50 on a Saturday in Feb. We are debating whether to stay overnight in Christchurch or pick up a car at the airport and drive directly to Hamner Springs. What is the road like and how long should it take? We would be on the road about17.00 - what time does it get dark in early feb?

This little time / distance <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.accommodationz.co.nz/distances2.html">planner</a> we found quite useful in planning our trip - Christchurch to HS is only 135 km, and 1:30.

it gets dark a little later in december in christchurch (about 10pm) than it does in sydney, so i reckon it would be safe to guess that in feb its proberbly light until about 9pm.

Also your body will be on sydney time, and that means it will be 12.50 sydney time when you land, and only 7pm at 9pm when it gets dark...

hope that helps, not just confusing!

Thanks for the mileage planner. I had come across rehttp://www.travelplanner.co.nz/driving/smlcalc.html but it does not include as many towns. We are coming from London UK so I find it hard to get out of the mindset that Feb is winter and short days!!!