Driving Route : Auckland - Wellington - Auckland

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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 - Masterton	2.75 hrs	216	135
Masterton - Wellington	1.25 hrs	98	61
Totals for Day	4.75 hrs	334	209

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 - Masterton

216 km (135 miles)
Approximately 2.75 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 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. Before you reach Masterton, you'll encounter the legendary town of Eketahuna (in kiwi slang Eketahuna is the archetypal hick town). The wildlife sanctuary at Mt Bruce is an essential stop.

Every year in March, Masterton hosts the international Golden Shears competition. Sheep shearing in the Wairarapa is both a sport and an art form. The town's main park has an aviary, aquarium, deer park and a small boating lake. Or you could rediscover your childhood at the local toy museum.

Masterton - Wellington

98 km (61 miles)
Approximately 1.25 hours
Road Conditions: Motorway/State Highway

Enjoy the clean, green Wairarapa scenery as you drive south. Carterton is a good place to shop for paua shell souvenirs, while Greytown has many beautiful examples of Victorian architecture and a quaint museum.

After the town of Featherston, which has an interesting locomotive museum, you'll climb up and over the Rimutaka Range—great views in every direction. Once the mountains are behind you, it's easy driving for the rest of your journey.

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.