Day 6: Napier - Wellington (via Hastings and Masteron)
Distance: 334 km (approximately)
Travel time: 4.75 hours (approximately)

Napier - Hastings
Distance: 20 km (13 miles)
Travel time: 0.75 hours (approximately)

In 1931 a devastating earthquake nearly levelled the city of Napier. It was rebuilt in the style of the times, and is now considered the Art Deco Capital of the world. To get in touch with the history of this region, visit the Earthquake Exhibition and Nga Tukemata (an exhibition which celebrates the Maori history of the East Coast) at the museum. The vineyards of Hawke's Bay are all within easy reach of Napier. Another attraction is the gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers.

The city of Napier has a twin sister right next door. Hastings is only 20 kilometres to the south. Like Napier, it was devastated by the 1931 earthquake, so has plenty of Art Deco and Spanish Mission-style architecture to see. Fabulous parks and delicious ice cream are two other reasons to visit Hastings. In the apple and pear season, there's no better place to be – Hastings is New Zealand's leading pipfruit region.

Hastings - Masteron
Distance: 216 km (135 miles)
Travel time: 2.75 hours (approximately)

Hastings was devastated by the 1931 earthquake, so has plenty of Art Deco and Spanish Mission-style architecture to see. Fabulous parks, pipfruit and delicious ice cream are three other reasons to visit Hastings.

On your way south you'll drive through Waipukurau and Waipawa - both have historic buildings to view. In Dannevirke, a town originally settled by Scandinavians, you can inspect locally made knitwear. Woodville is a place for antique browsing. The Tararua Windfarm is not far from here (it makes electricity out of thin air) – to see it, follow the road to Ballance. Before you reach Masterton, you'll encounter the legendary town of Eketahuna (in kiwi slang Eketahuna is the archetypal hick town). The wildlife sanctuary at Mt Bruce is an essential stop.

Every year in March, Masterton hosts the international Golden Shears competition. Sheep shearing in the Wairarapa is both a sport and an art form. The town's main park has an aviary, aquarium, deer park and a small boating lake. Or you could rediscover your childhood at the local toy museum.

Masterton - Wellington
Distance: 98 km (61 miles)
Travel time: 1.25 hours (approximately)

Every year in March, Masterton hosts the international Golden Shears competition. Sheep shearing in the Wairarapa is both a sport and an art form. The town's main park has an aviary, aquarium, deer park and a small boating lake. Or you could rediscover your childhood at the local toy museum.

Enjoy the clean, green Wairarapa scenery as you drive south. Carterton is a good place to shop for paua shell souvenirs, while Greytown has many beautiful examples of Victorian architecture and a quaint museum. After the town of Featherston, which has an interesting locomotive museum, you'll climb up and over the Rimutaka Range - great views in every direction. Once the mountains are behind you, it's easy driving for the rest of your journey.

Wellington is compact, cultured and full of character. Nestled between the harbour and the hills, the downtown area is ideal for explorations on foot. Enjoy cafes, restaurants, museums and all kinds of shops. Dance, theatre and musical performances are a Wellington specialty.

Day 7: Wellington - Wanganui
Distance: 188 km (approximately)
Travel time: 2.5 hours (approximately)

Wellington is compact, cultured and full of character. Nestled between the harbour and the hills, the downtown area is ideal for explorations on foot. Enjoy cafes, restaurants, museums and all kinds of shops. Dance, theatre and musical performances are a Wellington specialty.

From ancient forests to colourful flower beds, the Wellington Botanic Garden is a delightful experience, completed by great views of the city and harbour.

The Kapiti Coast route to Wanganui has a lot going for it. Offshore from Waikanae is Kapiti Island, a nature reserve for close encounters with rare birds. A car museum and gourmet cheese factory are other local attractions. Further north is Levin, which has a thriving clothing industry and many factory shops. Two beautiful dune lakes are an easy detour from here. In Foxton you can spy on wading birds in the estuary. The town of Bulls is known for its antique shops.

The picturesque river city of Wanganui has a long history. Take time to explore the restored heritage areas, then check out the various options for an expedition on the river. You can also take the tunnel and elevator to the top of Durie Hill.

Day 8: Wanganui - New Plymouth
Distance: 166 km (approximately)
Travel time: 2.0 hours (approximately)

The picturesque river city of Wanganui has a long history. Take time to explore the restored heritage areas, then check out the various options for an expedition on the river.

As the road heads west, interesting townships pop up regularly. Keep an eye out for small museums and quirky art shops. The rural centre of Hawera is home to New Zealand's largest milk factory and an interactive dairy farming attraction.

At Hawera it's time to make a choice. You can follow the ‘Surf Highway' around Cape Egmont and have a beach view all the way. Or you can take the inland route via Stratford and enjoy the green serenity of farmland. Either way, the dramatic volcanic cone of Mt Taranaki will dominate the landscape for much of your journey. The forested lower slopes of the mountain are laced with walking tracks.

The city of New Plymouth is known for its beautiful parks and gardens. It also has a strong arts focus, so check out the current exhibitions.

Day 9: New Plymouth - Waitomo Caves
Distance: 181 km (approximately)
Travel time: 2.25 hours (approximately)

The city of New Plymouth is known for its beautiful parks and gardens. Take a picnic to Pukekura Park to admire the rhododendrons. New Plymouth also has a strong arts focus, so check out the current exhibitions. The national park that surrounds Mt Taranaki has spectacular waterfalls and walkways to discover.

Your journey begins with a procession of seaside villages. Whitecliffs Walkway is signposted – a fabulous hike if you have time. At Mokau or Awakino you can enjoy the wild beauty of the Tasman Sea before you drive eastward through a mixture of farmland, forest and rugged mountain country. Gateway to the Waitomo Caves is the rural town of Te Kuiti, which hosts NZ sheep shearing championships each year.

The Waitomo Caves region is famous for its subterranean splendour. Beneath the surface of this ancient limestone region is a series of vast cave systems decorated with stalactites, stalagmites and glow-worms. Some caves open to the public, and are easy to walk through, others require specialised caving equipment.

Day 5: Waitomo Caves - Auckland (via Hamilton)
Distance: 198 km (approximately)
Travel time: 1.5 hours (approximately)

Waitomo Caves - Hamilton
Distance: 71 km (61 miles)
Travel time: 1.0 hour (approximately)

The Waitomo Caves region is famous for its subterranean splendour. Beneath the surface of this ancient limestone region is a series of vast cave systems decorated with stalactites, stalagmites and glow-worms. Some caves open to the public, and are easy to walk through, others require specialised caving equipment.

The trip to Hamilton takes you through prime Waikato farmland. The kiwi house in Otorohanga is a chance to meet New Zealand's national symbol. A detour towards the west coast will take you to Kawhia, where hot water bubbles up through the sand - you can dig a pool between low and mid tide. In summer, you can pause in the town of Te Awamutu to admire the roses.

The mighty Waikato River brings a unique beauty to Hamilton city. As well as river boat cruising, local attractions include gardens, museums and a giant free flight aviary. At the southern end of the city's main street you'll discover a wide variety of excellent restaurants and cafes.

Hamilton - Auckland
Distance: 127 km (79 miles)
Travel time: 1.5 hours (approximately)

The city of Hamilton is carved in two by the mighty Waikato River. Attractions include gardens, riverboat cruising and a giant free flight aviary. Excellent restaurants and cafes can be found at the southern end of the main street.

The Waikato River will accompany you for much of your journey north. You'll see side roads leading to Waingaro Hot Springs and Raglan, a surf resort on the west coast. Other places of interest along the way include the coal town of Huntly and the wine growing district of Te Kauwhata.

You know you're getting close to Auckland when you reach the motorway at the base of the Bombay Hills. The scenery will change gradually from market gardens to bloodstock farms to suburbia.

As you approach Auckland, you can't miss the extinct volcanic cones that dot the landscape – there are 48 in all. The city also has two huge harbours, so it's an ideal base for marine adventures. Other attractions include wine trails, forest walks and the culinary temptations of the city's restaurant zones.

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