Driving Route : DHL Lions Series - Test Match Route
- Overview
- Day 1 : Christchurch to Twizel
- Day 2 : Twizel to Wanaka
- Day 3 : Wanaka to Fox Glacier
- Day 4 : Fox Glacier to Westport
- Day 5 : Westport to Nelson
- Day 6 : Nelson to Wellington
- Day 7 : Wellington to Masterton
- Day 8 : Masterton to Napier
- Day 9 : Napier to Taupo
- Day 10 : Taupo to Rotorua
- Day 11 : Rotorua to Whitianga
- Day 12 : Whitianga to Auckland
Featured Tourism Operators
Day 8 : Masterton to Napier
Travel time is approximate only, based on an average driving speed under normal road conditions.
Travel time | Km | (Miles) | |
---|---|---|---|
Masterton - Hastings | 2.75 hrs | 216 | 135 |
Hastings - Napier | 0.75 hr | 20 | 13 |
Totals for Day | 3.5 hrs | 236 | 148 |
Masterton - Hastings
216 km (135 miles)
Approximately 2.75 hours
Road Conditions: State Highway
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.
On the drive to Hastings, you'll encounter a wildlife sanctuary at Mt Bruce and the legendary town of Eketahuna (in kiwi slang Eketahuna is the archetypal hick town). The Tararua Windfarm (it makes electricity out of thin air) is a little further north—to see it, follow the road to Ballance.
After the antique shops of Woodville you can inspect locally made knitwear in Dannevirke, a town originally settled by Scandinavians. The rural service towns of Waipukurau and Waipawa both have historic buildings to view.
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.
Hastings - Napier
20 km (13 miles)
Approximately 0.75 hour
Road Conditions: State Highway
Hastings was devastated by a huge earthquake in 1931. As a result, the city has a great deal of remarkable Art Deco and Spanish Mission-style architecture.
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.
The city of Napier is only 20 kilometres to the north of Hastings. It was also levelled by the 1931 earthquake, and rebuilt in the style of the times. Napier 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 local museum. The vineyards of Hawke's Bay are all within easy reach of Napier. Another attraction is the gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers.
- Overview
- Day 1 : Christchurch to Twizel
- Day 2 : Twizel to Wanaka
- Day 3 : Wanaka to Fox Glacier
- Day 4 : Fox Glacier to Westport
- Day 5 : Westport to Nelson
- Day 6 : Nelson to Wellington
- Day 7 : Wellington to Masterton
- Day 8 : Masterton to Napier
- Day 9 : Napier to Taupo
- Day 10 : Taupo to Rotorua
- Day 11 : Rotorua to Whitianga
- Day 12 : Whitianga to Auckland
View more Specialised New Zealand driving routes.
Directory Information
Masterton, Wairarapa:
Accommodation,
Attractions and Activities,
Tours,
Transport,
Visitor Information
Hastings, Hawke's Bay:
Accommodation,
Attractions and Activities,
Tours,
Transport,
Visitor Information
Napier, Hawke's Bay:
Accommodation,
Attractions and Activities,
Tours,
Transport,
Visitor Information