Find a driving route for your Wellington holiday: New Zealand self drive routes, Wellington driving routes, North Island driving routes, South Island driving routes.

Directory Shortcut

Heritage Hotels Accommodation Guide Attractions Guide Tours Guide Transport Guide
Air New Zealand

Entire Site Search

Advanced Search

Free NZ Travel Newsletter

Latest Newsletter

Subscribe & Win

Monthly Prizes

Subscribe to Free NZ Travel Newsletter

Maps, Driving Routes

Quick Links

Popular Links

Business Centre

Wellington - Taupo - Queenstown

Start Wellington / Finish Wellington
Recommended Length: 7 Days
Distance: 1176 km (735 miles)

View more Wellington driving routes.

Featured Tourism Operators

Click to view featured operator Web site
Travel Insurance
Click to view featured operator Web site
NZ DVDs
Click to view featured operator Web site
NZ Products
Click to view featured operator Web site
NZ Holiday Deals

Route Summary

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

  Travel Time Km (Miles)
Day 1
Wellington to Martinborough		 1 hr 79 49
Day 2
Martinborough to Palmerston North		 1.75 hrs 146 91
Day 3
Palmerston North to New Plymouth		 3 hrs 238 149
Day 4
New Plymouth to Waitomo Caves		 2.25 hrs 181 113
Day 5
Waitomo Caves to Taupo		 2 hrs 163 102
Day 6
Taupo to Turangi		 0.75 hr 47 29
Day 7
Turangi to Wellington		 4 hrs 322 201
Totals for Driving Route 14.75 hrs 1,176 735

Heritage and Culture

Heritage and Culture

Take a loop around some of the lower North Island's most interesting places.

Heritage and culture are likely to be your focus in Wellington, but over the Rimutaka Range in Martinborough thoughts will move to fine wine and food.

The cities of Palmerston North and New Plymouth offer authentic New Zealand rural experiences—they're also known for beautiful gardens.

In Waitomo you'll venture underground to see amazing cave decorations and glowworms, while Taupo and Turangi will keep you occupied with geothermal walks, hot springs and trout fishing. Return to Wellington via a procession of small, interesting towns.

More Driving Routes

View more Wellington driving routes.

Travel Competition

New Zealand travel competition with great prize

Online Games

Play a selection of Travel IQ Tests and Online Games

Qualmark

qualmark For your perfect New Zealand holiday, make sure you look for accommodation and experiences which carry the Qualmark. (more)