Day 8 – Tongariro National Park – Wellington
Today you will drive south and experience an interesting change of vegetation. The drive through barren landscape, surrounded by peaks up to 2800m, takes you to the green, fertile farm areas of Rangitikei and Manawatu.
Afterwards, you will pass Taihape, the self-proclaimed „Wellington boot capital of New Zealand“, before heading towards the capital, Wellington, arriving in the afternoon. In the middle of a beautiful landscape, directly on the famous Cook Strait, you will discover Wellington, also often called the „Windy City“. The strong westerly wind that blows from time to time gave the city, which was founded in 1839 and separates the North Island of New Zealand from the South Island, its nickname. Surrounded by nature and fuelled by creative energy, Wellington is a compact city with a powerful mix of culture, history, nature and cuisine.
Fuel your visit with strong coffee and world-class craft beer – Wellingtonians are masters of casual dining, with plenty of great restaurants, night markets and food trucks. Make sure to visit Te Papa Tongarewa National Museum, take the cable car up to the Botanic Gardens or relax in Oriental Bay.