Driving Route : DHL Lions Series - Ultimate Route
- Overview
- Day 1 : Rotorua to Taupo
- Day 2 : Taupo to Wanganui
- Day 3 : Wanganui to New Plymouth
- Day 4 : New Plymouth to Hamilton
- Day 5 : Hamilton to Raglan
- Day 6 : Hamilton to Napier
- Day 7 : Napier to Masterton
- Day 8 : Masterton to Wellington
- Day 9 : Wellington to Christchurch
- Day 10 : Christchurch to Dunedin
- Day 11 : Dunedin to Invercargill
- Day 12 : Invercargill to Stewart Island
- Day 13 : Invercargill to Queenstown
- Day 14 : Queenstown to Lake Tekapo
- Day 15 : Lake Tekapo to Christchurch
- Day 16 : Christchurch to Blenheim
- Day 17 : Blenheim to Palmerston North
- Day 18 : Palmerston North to Masterton
- Day 19 : Masterton to Martinborough
- Day 20 : Martinborough to Wellington
- Day 21 : Wellington to Turangi
- Day 22 : Turangi to Auckland
- Day 23 : Auckland to Whangarei
- Day 24 : Whangarei to Dargaville
- Day 25 : Dargaville to Auckland
Featured Tourism Operators
Day 17 : Blenheim to Palmerston North
Travel time is approximate only, based on an average driving speed under normal road conditions.
Travel time | Km | (Miles) | |
---|---|---|---|
Blenheim - Picton | 0.5 hr | 28 | 18 |
Picton - Wellington | 3 hrs | 98 | 61 |
Wellington - Palmerston North | 1.75 hrs | 139 | 87 |
Totals for Day | 5.25 hrs | 265 | 166 |
Blenheim - Picton
28 km (18 miles)
Approximately 0.5 hour
Road Conditions: State Highway
Blenheim is the heart of wine-growing Marlborough. You'll find a pleasing selection of cafes, restaurants, pubs, shops and golf courses. Character accommodation is another Blenheim delight—everything from homestays to boutique hotels. There are more than 20 wineries within driving distance of the town, and nearly all of them welcome visitors.
The short drive to Picton takes you across the Wairau Plains past vineyards and wineries. Diversions along the way include a golf course and farm parks.
The picturesque seaside town of Picton is the South Island base for the Interislander ferry service, which links the North and South islands of New Zealand.
It's also the gateway to the marine, forest and island attractions of the Marlborough Sounds. Museums and interesting walks will keep you entertained while you're here.
Picton - Wellington
98 km (61 miles)
Approximately 3 hours
Road Conditions: By Sea
The picturesque seaside town of Picton is the South Island base for the ferry service that links the North and South islands of New Zealand. It's also the gateway to the marine, forest and island attractions of the Marlborough Sounds. Museums and interesting walks will keep you entertained while you're here.
The passage through the Marlborough Sounds and across Cook Strait is one of the most scenic ferry trips in the world. The fast ferry makes the trip in just over two hours, the cruise-style ferry takes three hours. Both types of ferry can transport vehicles.
Highlights along the way include the beautiful inlets and coves of the sounds, Cook's Lookout, Tory Channel and Red Rocks seal colony.
Wellington City 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. As New Zealand's capital, this city is rich in political history.
Wellington - Palmerston North
139 km (87 miles)
Approximately 1.75 hours
Road Conditions: State Highway
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.
There's never a dull moment on the Kapiti Coast route to Palmerston North. Offshore from Waikanae is Kapiti Island, a nature reserve for close encounters with rare birds. A car museum and gourmet cheese factory are other local attractions.
Further north is Levin, which has a thriving clothing industry and many factory shops. At Levin you'll turn onto State Highway 57 towards Shannon—take a break here to enjoy the owl sanctuary.
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.
- Overview
- Day 1 : Rotorua to Taupo
- Day 2 : Taupo to Wanganui
- Day 3 : Wanganui to New Plymouth
- Day 4 : New Plymouth to Hamilton
- Day 5 : Hamilton to Raglan
- Day 6 : Hamilton to Napier
- Day 7 : Napier to Masterton
- Day 8 : Masterton to Wellington
- Day 9 : Wellington to Christchurch
- Day 10 : Christchurch to Dunedin
- Day 11 : Dunedin to Invercargill
- Day 12 : Invercargill to Stewart Island
- Day 13 : Invercargill to Queenstown
- Day 14 : Queenstown to Lake Tekapo
- Day 15 : Lake Tekapo to Christchurch
- Day 16 : Christchurch to Blenheim
- Day 17 : Blenheim to Palmerston North
- Day 18 : Palmerston North to Masterton
- Day 19 : Masterton to Martinborough
- Day 20 : Martinborough to Wellington
- Day 21 : Wellington to Turangi
- Day 22 : Turangi to Auckland
- Day 23 : Auckland to Whangarei
- Day 24 : Whangarei to Dargaville
- Day 25 : Dargaville to Auckland
View more Specialised New Zealand driving routes.
Directory Information
Blenheim, Marlborough:
Accommodation,
Attractions and Activities,
Tours,
Transport,
Visitor Information
Picton, Marlborough:
Accommodation,
Attractions and Activities,
Tours,
Transport,
Visitor Information
Wellington:
Accommodation,
Attractions and Activities,
Tours,
Transport,
Visitor Information
Palmerston North, Manawatu:
Accommodation,
Attractions and Activities,
Tours,
Transport,
Visitor Information