Wellington to Taupo road trip: 7 must-stop spots

It’s time to hit the road in a campervan and take the ultimate road trip from Wellington to Taupo, stopping at plenty of incredible sights along the way. From outdoor adventures and boutique wineries to geothermal springs and bubbling mud geysers, there’s so much to see during this quick holiday.

Our Wellington to Taupo road trip is a North Island adventure piled into four to six amazing days. With so many unforgettable sights waiting, now is the time to pack your bags, hire a van and get going.

Total distance: about 561km | Recommended days: 4 to 6 | Best time to travel: between June and September | See route on Google Maps

1. Wellington

Before you begin your Wellington to Taupo road trip, be sure to spend a day or two enjoying everything Wellington has to offer. The capital city of New Zealand offers up a waterfront promenade, sandy beaches and plenty of tourist sites for you to discover.

First up, head to the Wellington Cable Car to enjoy a bird’s eye view of this stunning city. This is also New Zealand’s coffee capital, with some of the best roasters and cafes in the country, so don't forget to grab a flat white on your way. The cable car will drop you off at the Wellington Botanic Gardens, where you'll find beautiful gardens and greenhouses to explore.

Once you've had your fill of views, it's time to take in the rich culture at Te Papa Museum, which is well-known for its colossal squid on display. Then head to Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne, a world-first, fully fenced eco-sanctuary, or enjoy a close animal encounter at Wellington Zoo. At the end of the day, wander down to the wharf and take your pick from its buzzing bars.

The drive from Wellington to Taupo is about four hours and forty-five minutes, but instead of doing it in just a day, you can split your trip up and spend some time exploring the places below as you go.

2. Masterton

From museums to lake walks and farm tours, there’s plenty to keep you busy during an overnight stop in Masterton. Start at Queen Elizabeth Park, where you'll find a skatepark, playground, flying fox, miniature train, pedal boats, mini golf and more. It's a great option for a family holiday.

No road trip from Wellington to Taupo is complete without a stop at Aratoi – Wairarapa Museum of Art & History to brush up on local culture; alternatively, explore Masterton’s Public Art Trail for free using a digital map on your phone. You can also get up close and personal with some native wildlife on a walk through Pukaha National Wildlife Centre.

If you’re looking to get outdoors, take a stroll around Henley Lake, or make the trip to Mount Holdsworth for some great family-friendly walks. At this one stop on your Wellington to Taupo road trip, you’ll be able to soak up so much history, culture and fresh air.

3. Foxton

Have you ever heard of Foxton Fizz? If not, you’ll learn all about it at this stop. Foxton is a hidden gem and one of the oldest European settlements in the southern Manawatu, where it used to act as a deep river port serving the region’s flax industry.

There’s plenty of history waiting to be uncovered with a visit to Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom, which is a Māori Museum of Arts and Learning. Alternatively, check out the National Dutch Museum, Foxton Flaxstripper Museum, or Whare Manaaki Māori Gallery and Workshop.

Once you’re done brushing up on local history, head outdoors and wander the streets to visit cafes, antique stores and secondhand shops. Or go straight to Foxton Beach, where you can grab some of the best fish n’ chips on the North Island at Mr Grumpys Takeaways. This is the ideal stop to fuel up on your Wellington to Taupo road trip.

4. Palmerston North

Known as the 'Rose City', Palmerston North is a popular, picturesque stop on the road from Wellington to Taupo. If you have time to spare, stay an extra night and explore both the Ruahine Forest Park and Tararua Forest Park surrounding the city on both sides – a great opportunity to get outdoors and have some fun.

Top of your list of things to do should be paying a visit to the New Zealand Rugby Museum. Get to know the world-famous All Blacks through memorabilia and interactive challenges before heading to the Te Manawa Museum of Art, Science and Heritage, which is free and houses many amazing artefacts.

If outdoor adventure is more your style, hop in the saddle and cycle the 10-kilometre Manawatu River Pathway to enjoy some stunning views, or simply wander around the main square where you'll find unique sculptures, ponds and lots of walkways to uncover. You can even head out to some of Palmerston North’s mountain-biking trails and explore nature to your heart’s content.

5. Mangaweka

Got a thrill-seeking side you can’t wait to unleash? Mangaweka is the place to do it on your Wellington to Taupo road trip. Located on the banks of the Rangitikei River, it’s a great little historic village that's known as the home of rafting, kayaking, river swimming and more.

Make sure you pay a visit to the 1904 Mangaweka Bridge, which is the only cantilever road bridge left in New Zealand. You you can walk across and enjoy breathtaking river views, and if you're still keen to scratch the scenic itch, head to Mangaweka Scenic Reserve and enjoy a family-friendly loop walk.

You can also spend a day on the Rangitikei River – an epic way to break up your road trip to Taupo from Wellington. Whether rafting, swimming or kayaking, you're sure to enjoy the river.

6. Ohakune

Ohakune is a must-stop destination for any Wellington to Taupo road trip. It's smack bang in the middle of Tongariro National Park, Whanganui National Park and Mt Ruapehu, so there's plenty to see and do around the area.

If you’re looking for something a little different, head to Ohakune Carrot Adventure Park, which celebrates the carrot's Kiwi heritage. Spoiler alert, the orange veggie dates back to the 1920s, when Chinese settlers began growing it. The little ones can also enjoy the play equipment, picnic spots and more.

You'll also find the most popular one-day walk in New Zealand here – Tongariro Crossing. Set your sights on the incredible Red Crater, take in panoramic views across the Blue Lakes and enjoy a good 7–8 hours immersing yourself in nature.

7. Taupo

The final stop on your jam-packed Wellington to Taupo road trip, this lakefront town makes the perfect base to explore the great outdoors.

Taupo is home to an endless variety of geothermal wonders. Explore the stunning Orakei Korako and visit geysers, hot springs, bubbling mud pools and more. You can also feed your adventurous side with skydiving, bungy jumping, rafting and jet boating.

Travel just north of Taupo and you'll find one of New Zealand’s most-visited attractions. At the stunning Huka Falls, you can sit back and watch more than 220,000 litres of water plummet over the edge every second. Pick one of these amazing Taupo camping sites and you’re all set for adventure.

You can do the drive back to Wellington from Taupo in one day, or continue your travels and discover more that New Zealand has to offer!

Hire a van for your Wellington to Taupo road trip

Ready to enjoy a short and sweet holiday through New Zealand’s North Island? Start planning your ultimate Wellington to Taupo road trip with the help of our incredible itinerary outlined above. After sorting out your campervan hire in Wellington, you’re free to hit the open road and start exploring everything on offer.

If you have a little more time on your hands, check out these Wellington road trip ideas and plan a longer trip.

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