AUCKLAND TO WELLINGTON
VIA NAPIER, HASTINGS
Auckland to Coromandel
Your journey begins in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, where the Sky Tower dominates the skyline. If you have time before hitting the road, take the lift up for sweeping views over volcanic cones and the sparkling Waitematā Harbour.
Heading east, you’ll cross the Hauraki Plains before winding into the lush hills of the Coromandel Peninsula. Once a 19th-century gold rush hub, the Coromandel is now a haven of beaches and art galleries. In the afternoon, walk to the world-famous Cathedral Cove, where a dramatic limestone arch frames turquoise waters. Later, time your visit to Hot Water Beach at low tide to dig your own thermal pool in the sand – a centuries-old natural spa enjoyed long before tourists discovered it.
Overnight: Whitianga or Hahei.
Coromandel to Rotorua
Leaving the coast, you’ll pass rolling farmland on the way to Matamata, where the hills conceal a special secret: Hobbiton Movie Set. Built first in 1999 for The Lord of the Rings, then rebuilt permanently for The Hobbit, it’s now one of New Zealand’s most beloved attractions. Stroll past Hobbit holes, sip a drink at The Green Dragon Inn, and step into Tolkien’s world.
By evening, arrive in Rotorua, a city where the ground breathes. This region sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, and you’ll immediately notice the smell of sulphur and rising steam. At Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, you can see neon-coloured pools, bubbling mud, and the daily eruption of Lady Knox Geyser. At night, immerse yourself in Māori culture at Te Puia with a traditional hāngi feast and performance – a reminder that Rotorua has been a centre of Māori life for centuries.
Overnight: Rotorua.
Rotorua to Taupō
Begin the morning with a stroll among century-old Californian redwoods at the Redwoods Treewalk, originally planted in 1901 for forestry trials. Then drive south toward Lake Taupō, formed nearly 2,000 years ago by one of Earth’s largest volcanic eruptions. The eruption was so massive that ancient Chinese and Roman historians recorded strange sunsets caused by its ash.
On the way, stop at Huka Falls, where the Waikato River squeezes through a narrow gorge before plunging in a roaring cascade. In Taupō itself, consider a lake cruise to the Māori Rock Carvings at Mine Bay – a modern cultural treasure created in the 1970s to honour the navigator Ngātoroirangi.
Overnight: Taupō.
Taupō to Napier & Hastings
Drive east through rugged ranges into Hawke’s Bay, one of New Zealand’s sunniest regions. Your first stop is Napier, famed for its Art Deco architecture. After a 1931 earthquake destroyed much of the city, it was rebuilt in stylish 1930s designs, making it one of the world’s best-preserved Art Deco towns. Take a guided walking tour to fully appreciate the pastel facades and history.
Nearby Hastings offers another flavour of Hawke’s Bay – vineyards, orchards, and markets. With over 70 wineries in the region, it’s the perfect place to sample award-winning Chardonnay and Syrah. Don’t miss Te Mata Peak, a sacred site for local iwi, where panoramic views stretch across rolling vineyards to the Pacific Ocean.
Overnight: Napier or Hastings.
Hawke’s Bay Wine & Coast Day
Spend a relaxed day exploring Hawke’s Bay. In the morning, cycle between wineries on flat, scenic trails that link cellar doors and boutique producers. Learn about the area’s wine heritage, dating back to missionaries who planted vines here in the 1850s.
Later, drive the coast to Cape Kidnappers, where dramatic cliffs meet the sea. This headland is home to the world’s largest mainland gannet colony, with birds nesting from October to April. The Cape is named after an incident in 1769 when Captain Cook’s crew narrowly escaped a conflict with local Māori.
Overnight: Napier or Hastings.
Napier/Hastings to Wellington
Today’s journey south takes you through farming towns and along the Wairarapa, another renowned wine region. Stop in Martinborough, where small boutique wineries surround a charming village square. Pinot Noir is the specialty here, and tastings are often held in family-run cellar doors.
Arrive in Wellington by late afternoon. Known as “the coolest little capital,” it’s a compact city tucked between harbour and hills. Stroll the waterfront promenade and explore Cuba Street, Wellington’s bohemian hub full of cafés, craft beer bars, and live music.
Overnight: Wellington
Explore Wellington
Start the day at Te Papa Tongarewa, the national museum, with interactive exhibits on Māori heritage, New Zealand history, and natural wonders. Film lovers can then join a Weta Workshop tour, where you’ll see props and models from The Lord of the Rings, Avatar, and more.
Take the historic Wellington Cable Car (running since 1902) to the Botanic Gardens and enjoy the views, then finish with a sunset at Mount Victoria Lookout. The site was once used as a WWII defence post and today offers sweeping panoramas over the harbour and hills – a fitting finale to your journey.
Overnight: Wellington (or onward journey).
