From Wellington pick up your No Frills Rental Car and tour this incredibly compact city. Nestled between harbour and hills, Wellington offers a chic city experience and has a rich variety of exhibitions, theatre, music and opera. Allow a few days to tour this city of spectacular, sophistication, funky shops and buzzing nightlife.
Head up the east coast of the North Island through vineyards and wine trails noted for their Burgundy's and music events or sample craft beers and handmade ciders. Meander the length of the coastline to the Art Deco city of Napier reminiscent of Spanish Mission architecture. Heritage trails, farmers markets or sample some of the best gourmet foods. Hike to Kaweka Park and stay overnight in huts and relax in steaming hot pools.
State Highway 5 will take you on a route to Lake Taupo. Taupo has majestic mountain peaks, active volcanoes and geothermal spas. Fresh clear lakes, pristine rivers, and a region rich in Maori and European history offer the traveller a wealth of experiences never to be forgotten. Mount Ruapehu is New Zealand's most famous active volcano and is explored all year round by hikers, skiers, botanists and nature lovers alike.
Drive across to the West Coast of the North Island to the Taranaki region and its main centre, New Plymouth. This is a region of lush rural landscapes, amazing surf beaches, galleries and beautiful parks and is known as the dairy capital of New Zealand.
Continue to Wanganui, the main centre of the River Region. Explore the moody but beautiful Whanganui River and the eerie solitude of the 'Bridge to Nowhere' across the Mangapurua Gorge. The Kapiti Coast offers much for the recreational walker and trampers. Ride a horse along the beach, white water canoe, take a scenic flight or just relax with a picnic. Visit Kapiti Island nature reserve 5km from the shore, home of many endangered species.
Palmerston North City is well-laid out and lively. It is home to more than 70 major educational and research institutions and high-tech Sport and Rugby Institute. The Manawatu Gorge is one of only a few places in the world where a river flows east to west through a main divide. Outdoor adventures include the extreme flying fox, bungy jump, white water rafting, jet-boating and caving.
Continue through Levin and back to No Frills Rental Cars in Wellington.
