Day 7 – Sunday

Final Packing and Goodbye in Wellington

Today marked the beginning of our North Island adventure—but first, Tristan had to finish packing the rest of his things. After breakfast and checking out of the hotel, we drove over to his host family’s house. Wellington is full of steep hills and narrow streets, which takes a bit of getting used to, but the house is beautifully located.

After spending 12 months here, there was quite a bit to pack. Thankfully, Pooh was there to help, and with her packing skills, we managed to get everything sorted. We had rented a large van to fit all of Tristan’s belongings along with our own luggage—and in the end, it all fit perfectly (with Pooh’s help).

Tristan said goodbye to his best friend in Wellington, and with a touch of melancholy, we hit the road.

Coastal Drive through Paraparaumu and Waikanae

Our plan was to drive to Taupo today, a journey of about five hours. We started out on the motorway leaving Wellington, then switched to more relaxed country roads.

Our route took us along the Kapiti Coast, passing through towns like Paraparaumu and Waikanae. Paraparaumu is known for its long sandy beach and views of Kapiti Island, a protected nature reserve just offshore. It’s a popular spot for locals to relax, surf, or take the ferry to the island for a day of hiking and birdwatching.

Just a bit further north lies Waikanae, a peaceful town nestled between the coast and the Tararua Ranges. It’s especially loved by nature enthusiasts for the Waikanae Estuary Scientific Reserve, where native birds thrive in a protected wetland environment.

The weather was finally on our side, and we enjoyed a peaceful walk through the town, along the beach, and into the nature reserve. We even spotted a few birds along the way. It was a lovely way to ease into the rhythm of the road trip.

Into the heart of the North Island: Tongariro National Park

As we continued inland, the landscape began to change—rolling hills gave way to volcanic plateaus and dramatic mountain views. By late afternoon, we reached the edge of Tongariro National Park, New Zealand’s oldest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The park is home to three active volcanoes—Mount Tongariro, Mount Ngauruhoe, and Mount Ruapehu—and is famous for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, one of the most spectacular day hikes in the world.

In the distance, we could see the impressive silhouette of Mount Tongariro. Unfortunately, since we had started our journey quite late in the day, we didn’t have time to explore the park further. But even just driving through was impressive—the scenery is dramatic and full of character.

Arrival in Taupo

We arrived in Taupo after dark and found a motel for the night. After settling in, we headed out for dinner and, of course, ended the evening with our traditional card games.

It was a great start to our tour. Tomorrow, we plan to visit the famous waterfall near Taupo—something we’re all looking forward to.