The most travelled road trip in New Zealand is Auckland to Wellington or visa a versa. Its usually done in one day but if you have the time and the money its better to take, at least, two days. It takes about 8 hours to drive the 650 km.

• Auckland to Wellington.

  When getting out of Auckland, with a load of gear, it pays to leave early. After three hours on the road the first stop will be the lake city of Taupo at ‘Replete’. Then on to the Desert Road and some mountain viewing. Once the Central North Island has been traversed it the Foxton Straits, then the Kapiti Coast towns before reaching the outer Wellington suburbs. Finally entering the city and driving through it to get to coastal community of Island Bay.
  
  Overall the most significant characteristic of the landscape as seen from Highway 1, is how altered the natural geography is. New Zealand has changed it natural landscape and native bio-diversity faster than any other place, mostly within the last 120 years. The journey from Auckland to Wellington highlights these changes.

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• Wellington.

  Walked around the city organising a few things. Walking around, Wellington revels its charm.

  Next it was time to prepare for the book launch of Craig Millers “Coffee houses of Wellington 1939 to 1979. Coffee in pre-espresso New Zealand” at Mojo’s Coffee’s roastery, in Shed 13 on the Wellington wharves. The launch was held. It had some strong, respectful moments. It was cool fun too.

  Fantastic to be able to recognise the last of the people who were part of the 1st wave of New Zealand coffee hospitality. Then it was time to pack up it all up, enjoy a night with friends, before leaving the next day.

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• Wellington to Auckland.

  Sad to leave our friends in Island Bay but we will be back. Time to move out of the city up the middle of the North Island. Take in some more mountain viewing. A stop in Tirau before continuing our separate ways to our individual homes.

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