Travel is an inbuilt human emotion. Most people find it interesting to travel, and the best of all would be a road trip with the wind on your face. Auckland is one of the busiest cities in New Zealand. The city is lined with great restaurants., but the harbors and the surrounding waters are what make this city apt for a road trip. The city is the starting point for the popular Thermal Explorer Highway, which is the perfect route to take if you want to explore the vibrant city of Hamilton, Rotorua and its rejuvenating mineral pools, Taupo’s exhilarating water sports, and Napier’s vineyards. If you want in-depth knowledge of all possible road trip destinations from Auckland, scroll down for the list of the best road trips from Auckland, New Zealand.
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1. Wellington
Wellington is the capital of New Zealand and the best way to get here from Aukland would be to follow State Highway 1, which would typically take about 7 and a half hours to cover at a stretch. This straightforward route will take you by the vibrant cities of Hamilton and Taupo, and you can choose to take a detour to explore the cities if you wish to.
You can also take the longer route through the Thermal Explorer Highway to cover Rotorua and Hawke’s Bay in a single road trip.
2. Martinborough
A great road trip that is considered a must for all Auckland visitors is a drive to Martinborough. The beautiful town is nestled by the beautiful Ruamahanga River, and you can spend many hours just gazing over the tranquil landscapes here.
The best route to get here from Auckland is to follow Stateway Highway 1 and cross over to State Highway 2 via State Highway 3. You can follow State Highway 2 until Featherston, from where you can take State Highway 53 to reach Martinborough. You can always take the longer route and just follow State Highway 2 all the way from Auckland, in which case you can explore the beautiful seaside city of Tauranga on your road trip.
3. Palmerston North
If you are a culinary enthusiast, then Palmerston North is bound to be a great destination. The city is host to a vibrant range of cafes that are sure to take your tastebuds on a trip across the world.
Palmerston North is located on State Highway 3 and you can easily follow along State Highway 1 and just turnover to this highway to reach your destination from Auckland.
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4. Castlepoint
If you are looking forward to a trip down to the sea, then a road trip to Castlepoint will be all that you’ve been looking for. Nestled on the Wairarapa coastline, the settlement’s most popular attraction would be the Castlepoint Lighthouse.
The settlement is ways away from major highways, giving you a chance to escape the incessant traffic and settle into a mellower drive through the countryside. A great way to get here would be to follow State Highway 2 all the way to the town of Masterton, from where you can take the Masterton-Castlepoint Road to reach your destination.
5. Masterton
Masterton is the seat of the district of the same name and straddles the beautiful Ruamahanga and Waingawa Rivers. It is a lively town and you should definitely check out Queen Elizabeth Park while in the area.
The town is situated right on State Highway 2 so it wouldn’t be too confusing to get to the town all the way from Auckland. The area is home to a couple of golf courses, so you can take a break from the long drive to relax with a leisurely game.
6. Upper Hutt
Upper Hutt is a city located north of Wellington, and it is nestled on Te Awa Kairangi. The city is known for its tranquil landscapes and is home to the oldest church in the Anglican Diocese of Wellington, the St John’s Trentham church, which has a history that dates back to 1863.
The city is nestled on State Highway 2, and the route passes by the pristine Akatarawa Forest, Kaitoke Regional Park, and Pakuratahi Forest, so the drive to the town is sure to be tranquil. You can even stop by on the trip and go on a rustic hike through the woods.
7. Napier
Napier is a beautiful city nestled in Hawke’s Bay, a region known for its wine. The city is also home to a large number of Art Deco buildings, making its cityscape truly unique. This heritage is evident in the city’s popular Art Deco Festival, which will make you think you’ve stepped back in time to the 1930s.
There are mainly two routes you can take to reach Napier. One is via the Thermal Explorer Highway going through Taupō, while the other is through State Highway 2, which cuts through Tauranga and straddles coastal Hawke’s Bay before passing through Napier.
8. Whanganui
Whanganui is a beautiful city nestled by the Tasman Sea and was a major trading hub in the past. If you want to experience the urban delights of the city, opt for a show at the Royal Whanganui Opera House or explore the collections of Sarjeant Art Gallery.
The city is located on the confluence of State Highway 3 and 4, offering two separate routes to take a road trip through. If you choose to go via State Highway 3 you can experience the coastal bliss of New Zealand. State Highway 4, on the other hand, will take you through the wilderness and rugged hill country and is a preferred route if you want to explore the dense forests of the country.
9. Hastings
Situated just south of Napier, Hastings is an inland city and is a great spot to savor regional cuisine and wine. In the center of the city is the important Nga Pou O Heretaunga, which is a collection of Maori carvings nestled by Hastings City Art Gallery.
The city is a short drive from Napier via State Highway 2.
10. Helensville
Helensville is a delightful town just north of Auckland and is renowned for its lush green landscapes and historic structures. While here you should definitely check out the nearby Parakai Springs for a fun time.
Getting here is relatively easy and you need only follow the Twin Coast Discovery Highway, specifically State Highway 16, out of Auckland to reach the town.
Enjoy a delightful road trip from Auckland
Auckland is a great destination to start a road trip from as it boasts easy access to several highways that crisscross the country. Go through the above list and craft your perfect road trip from Auckland.
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