Wellington - Taupo - Wellington

Overview
Day 1 : Wellington to Martinborough
Day 2 : Martinborough to Palmerston North
Day 3 : Palmerston North to New Plymouth
Day 4 : New Plymouth to Waitomo Caves
Day 5 : Waitomo Caves to Taupo
Day 6 : Taupo to Turangi
Day 7 : Turangi to Wellington

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Day 1 : Martinborough to Palmerston North

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

	Travel Time	Km	(Miles)
Martinborough - Masterton	0.5 hr	45	28
Masterton - Palmerston North	1 hr	79	49
Totals for Day	1.75 hrss	146	91

Martinborough - Masterton

45 km (28 miles)
Approximately 0.5 hour
Road Conditions: State Highway/Arterial

In recent years, Martinborough has become the gourmet capital of the lower North Island. It is home to over 25 boutique vineyards, several fabulous restaurants and a number of upmarket bed and breakfast establishments. From the charming town square, you can walk to most of the local attractions.

Enjoy the clean, green scenery as you drive north through the friendly townships of the Wairarapa. In Featherston you'll find an interesting locomotive museum. Greytown has many beautiful examples of Victorian architecture and a quaint museum—take yourself on a self-guided walk. Carterton is a good place to shop for paua shell souvenirs—it's also a place to enjoy daffodils in the spring.

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 - Palmerston North

101 km (63 miles)
Approximately 1.25 hours
Road Conditions: State Highway

On the drive to Palmerston North, 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 is a little further north—to see it, follow the road to Ballance. After the antique shops of Woodville you'll launch into the scenery of 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.