WORLD of WONDER
THE ROUTE: Auckland to Wellington, New Zealand
THE DISTANCE: 80km START IN: Auckland
Setting out from Auckland, where the city meets the sea, it doesn’t take long to shed any urban tendencies as you make your way east, hugging the dramatic Firth Of Thames bay. You’re beelining for the coastal enclave of Coromandel, a worthy 2.5-hour detour before you make your way south, due to its hyper-white sand beaches and plethora of hidden coves. If you time it right, you can dig for naturally heated water springs at Hot Water Beach.
THE PIT STOPS: Rotorua and Taupo
It’s then on to Rotorua, three hours south of Coromandel. The town is famous for good reason – it feels like all the best bits of New Zealand exemplified: extreme natural wonder (care of its bubbling mud pools and erupting geysers, including the Pohutu Geyser, which does so several times a day), paired with an acute awareness of the Indigenous Maori culture. Temper the tourist sights – and shake off any restlessness from the drive – with some time spent off the beaten track: another hour south is Lake Taupo, the country’s largest. On the opposite side lies Tongariro Alpine Crossing, tipped as one of the world’s best hikes. After the challenging day-long pilgrimage, you’re rewarded with sweeping views of emerald lakes and towering volcanic mountains. Keep your eyes peeled for steam vents and lava flow.
THE FINISH: QT Wellington
From there, Wellington lies at the end of a five-hour stint (though in these parts, the long way around is always encouraged). With a food and coffee scene to rival that of Melbourne, the capital is also New Zealand’s cultural hub. As with most QT outposts, the mood at QT Wellington is irreverent, and the art that lines the walls doesn’t take itself too seriously either. The NZ national museum Te Papa is quite literally across the road, and while there are no fewer than three in-house restaurants, it would be remiss not to venture out to many of the worthy eateries that line the city centre below. Noble Rot and Ombra excel at wine and small plates, while Apachè is beloved for its Parisian take on Vietnamese. Make sure you head to Nikau Cafe for brunch the next day.