Driving Route : Auckland - Napier - Wellington

Featured Tourism Operators

Click to view featured operator Web site

Day 6 : Napier to Wellington

Travel time is approximate only, based on an average driving speed under normal road conditions.

	Travel time	Km	(Miles)
Napier - Hastings	0.75 hr	20	13
Hastings - Palmerston North	2 hrs	163	102
Palmerston North - Wellington	1.75 hrs	139	87
Totals for Day	4.5 hrs	322	201

Napier - Hastings

20 km (13 miles)
Approximately 0.75 hour
Road Conditions: State Highway

In 1931 a devastating earthquake nearly levelled the city of Napier. It was rebuilt in the style of the times, and is now considered the Art Deco Capital of the world.

To get in touch with the history of this region, visit the Earthquake Exhibition and Nga Tukemata (an exhibition which celebrates the Māori history of the East Coast) at the museum. The vineyards of Hawke's Bay are all within easy reach of Napier. Another attraction is the gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers.

The city of Napier has a twin sister right next door. Hastings is only 20 kilometres to the south. Like Napier, it was devastated by the 1931 earthquake, so has plenty of Art Deco and Spanish Mission-style architecture to see.

Fabulous parks and delicious ice cream are two other reasons to visit Hastings. In the apple and pear season, there's no better place to be—Hastings is New Zealand's leading pipfruit region.

Hastings - Palmerston North

163 km (102 miles)
Approximately 2 hours
Road Conditions: State Highway

Hastings was devastated by the 1931 earthquake, so has plenty of Art Deco and Spanish Mission-style architecture to see. Fabulous parks, pipfruit and delicious ice cream are three other reasons to visit Hastings.

On your way south you'll drive through the rural service towns of Waipukurau and Waipawa—both have historic buildings to view. In Dannevirke, a town originally settled by Scandinavians, you can inspect locally made knitwear.

Woodville is a place for antique browsing. The Tararua Windfarm is not far from here (it makes electricity out of thin air)—to see it, follow the road to Ballance.

Just before Palmerston North is the Manawatu Gorge—keep an eye out for adventure opportunities such as rock-climbing and bungy jumping.

One of New Zealand's largest provincial cities, Palmerston North has an attractive historic heart. Many of the original stores built in the 1920s and 1930s have been restored and now function as boutiques, cafes and restaurants. Rose gardens and museums should also be on your agenda of things to see.

Palmerston North - Wellington

139 km (87 miles)
Approximately 1.75 hours
Road Conditions: State Highway

Your journey south first takes you to Shannon—pause here to enjoy the owl sanctuary. The town of Levin is next—it has a thriving clothing industry and many factory shops. Two beautiful dune lakes are an easy detour from here.

Offshore from Waikanae is Kapiti Island, a nature reserve for close encounters with rare birds. A car museum and gourmet cheese factory are other attractions in this area.

Wellington is compact, cultured and full of character. Nestled between the harbour and the hills, the downtown area is ideal for explorations on foot. Enjoy cafes, restaurants, museums and all kinds of shops. Dance, theatre and musical performances are a Wellington specialty.

View more Auckland driving routes.