New Zealand is very popular with visitors, and it has some of the most excellent tourist sites. People troop to different parts of the south island for gorgeous holiday experiences, from Queenstown to Christchurch, from the Emerald Lakes to Lake Gunn.
In Oceania, this nation maintains its lead as a foremost tourist destination with a road trip from Auckland to Wellington being one of the most popular cruises. You can make the road trip in as short as four days or even in 10 days; it all depends on how much time you have.
Itinerary of a Four-Day Road Auckland-Wellington Trip
Day One: Getting to Auckland
Auckland is the largest city in the country, and it is the prominent tourist spot on its own. Those coming from outside the country can reach the city via the Auckland International Airport, which is the country’s biggest. Those coming by sea can also make use of the Port of Tauranga. When you get to Auckland, you can take some time to enjoy the city by visiting its excellent Masu, which is a Japanese restaurant or have a drink or two at the Sky Tower. You can spend a day or two in Auckland, depending on how much time you have.
Auckland is also called the City of Sails, and you will do well to drive through the forests and tour the beaches as you dig your legs into the black volcanic soils. Lovers of surfing will also have Auckland in mind. After you have finished touring Auckland, you head for Taupo.
Day Two: Auckland to Taupo
This leg of your trip will take you over three hours, and the total distance is 280 kilometers. It is on this stretch of the trip that you will have the opportunity to explore the North Island.
As you drive about 36 minutes away from Auckland, you can stop at the Pokeno Ice Cream spot. It is one of the most well-known ice cream hubs in the country, and you will do well to eat the legendary multi-layered ice cream. Make sure that you pamper yourself properly without any limit.
Step on the gas from Pokeno and keep driving for about two hours until you get to Rotorua. This leg of the trip will cover approximately 180 kilometers. Upon getting to Rotorua, one of the first things that will hit you is the smell. This is because Rotorua is known as the center of natural thermal activity in the nation and what you perceive in the air is nothing but sulfur.
If you have the time, you should tour Rotorua. These include places like Wai-O-Tapu with you can experience the majesty of the geothermal springs alongside popular champagne pools, and of course, the Lady Know Geyser.
There is also Te Puia, a fantastic place for you to learn and experience the finest of Maori culture. You will have a chance to check out the rare Kiwi bird. On this leg of your journey, you can engage in the act of zorbing, which is throwing yourself down the hill while inside a massive inflatable ball.
Rotorua to Taupo is the next leg of your driving. It is a distance of about 80 kilometers, and it will take you about one hour. You are going to be leaving the smell of Rotorua behind, but you have Taupo ahead of you. You can stop by the majestic Huka Falls along the way. You are going to see water gushing at the unbelievable rate of 220,000 liters every second. This water plunges into the Waikato River.
Another stop you can experience will be Lake Taupo itself. It is the biggest lake in all of New Zealand, and as you get out of the town via the Desert Road, you will not be able to take your eyes off Mount Ruapehu, which is also referred to as Mount Doom. If you have been thinking of skydiving in this beautiful nation, this leg of the trip is your chance. Check out the Taupo Tandem Skydiving and see the options on the ground for you as you plunge from thousands of feet.
Day Three: Taupo – Wellington
This stretch of the road trip is 370 kilometers, and it takes you five hours. The first part involves driving from Taupo for three and a half hours until you get to Whanganui. When you reach Whanganui, you will realize that there is so much for you to do and enjoy there. You can start with the Cooks Gardens, which is located right in the middle of the town.
Later on in the day, you can visit the Whanganui Regional Museum, where you can view the talented works of artists like Gottfried Lindauer. There are also collections of Moa bones in the museum alongside some extinct and iconic giant bird skeletons.
Day Four: Wellington
The last part of your trip is getting to Wellington. This is the capital of the country, and there is more than enough for you to explore. Wellington claims to have the finest coffee in the country. You can sample the cafes on Cuba Street or inside the Manners Mall. Make sure you check out the Archives New Zealand, which is the national archive, and there you can see the legendary Treaty of Waitangi, which is regarded as the very foundation of the nation itself.
You can check out other places in Wellington: the Wellington Museum, Wellington Cable Car, Zealandia, and yes, Wellington Zoo. Te Papa (Our Place) is the Museum of New Zealand, and you must do your best to visit the place.
Your four-day road trip from Auckland to Wellington is one of the most exciting adventures you can engage in. New Zealand is truly the land of promise and pleasure – make the road trip today!
