The best road trips from Wellington
By Vroom Team • Reviewed 20 Jan 2026
Located on the southern end of the North Island, the capital city of Wellington / Te Whanganui a Tara is renowned for its vibrant arts and culture scene, dramatic harbour setting, and incredible natural environments.
The city is a must-see for anyone travelling in New Zealand, and if you’ve collected your rental car in Wellington / Te Whanganui a Tara and are wondering what to see and do in and around the city, consider this road-trip itinerary to get a whole lot out of the “coolest little capital in the world.”
Lower Hutt / Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai
Separated from Wellington / Te Whanganui a Tara by the harbour, and from Upper Hutt by the Taita Gorge, a hire car from Lower Hutt / Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai makes for a good out-of-downtown hire car depot, especially as it has more cafes and coffee shops per capita than New York City! Coffee aside, it also boasts easy access to the pretty seaside towns of Eastbourne Bay and Days Bay.
Directions: Driving from Wellington / Te Whanganui a Tara, head northeast on Willis Street toward Willeston Street. From there, continue onto Aotea Quay and take the Route 1 ramp to Porirua/Hutt Valley and merge onto State Highway 1. Take the first exit at the roundabout onto Waterloo Road.
Travel time from Wellington / Te Whanganui a Tara: 20 minutes
Porirua / Pari ā Rua
A mere 20 minutes north of Wellington / Te Whanganui a Tara, Porirua / Pari ā Rua surrounds Te Awarua-o-Porirua Harbour, which has become a favourite spot for jet skiing and waterskiing. It is home to many popular tourist attractions, including the Aotea Lagoon and the New Zealand Police Museum, as well as fun activities for all ages. If you collected a rental campervan in Wellington then here makes for a great first spot on a North Island road trip, especially for nature-lovers.
Directions: From Wellington, follow State Highway 1 via Porirua / Pari ā Rua, Route 1, and Palmerston North / Te Papa i Oea, then take the first exit at the roundabout onto Hagley Street.
Travel time from Wellington / Te Whanganui a Tara: 20 minutes
Upper Hutt / Te Awa Kairangi ki Uta
The city of Upper Hutt / Te Awa Kairangi ki Uta should not be confused with the nearby Lower Hutt / Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai. Located against forested hills alongside the Hutt River, Upper Hutt offers plenty of activities for outdoor lovers. It's also famous for its parks and recreation sites.
Directions: From Wellington / Te Whanganui a Tara, take State Highway 2 along Hutt Road past Lower Hutt / Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai and proceed through the State Highway 58 intersection at Haywards/Manor Park to the Silverstream Bridge. An alternative route is via Eastern Hutt Road, located between Lower Hutt / Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai and Upper Hutt / Te Awa Kairangi ki Uta via Stokes Valley.
Travel time from Wellington / Te Whanganui a Tara: 30 minutes
Wairarapa
Only a short drive from Wellington / Te Whanganui a Tara, the picturesque vineyards, award-winning wines, rugged coastlines, and historic charm of the Wairarapa region await you. Plan your trip ahead of time and book yourself in to experience the fun activities and attractions of Wairarapa.
Directions: From Wellington / Te Whanganui a Tara, take State Highway 2 through the Remutaka (previously Rimutaka), then pass through the Wairarapa plains. Just add another 15 minutes for Martinborough / Wharekaka, or 20 minutes for Carterton and Masterton for a taste of the region.
Travel time from Wellington / Te Whanganui a Tara: 1 hour
Martinborough / Wharekaka
With more than 25 boutique wineries to explore, learn why Martinborough / Wharekaka is another popular weekend getaway destination for the residents of Wellington / Te Whanganui a Tara. Here, you’ll get to experience the wine village of Martinborough / Wharekaka, including its lovely cafes, stores, and restaurants.
Directions: From Wellington / Te Whanganui a Tara, take State Highway 1 via Porirua / Pari ā Rua, Route 1, Palmerston North / Te Papa i Oea, then continue on State Highway 2. Follow the signs for Route 2/Hutt Valley/Masterton, then turn right onto State Highway 53 before turning left onto Oxford Street.
Travel time from Wellington / Te Whanganui a Tara: 1 hour 15 minutes
About the author
Vroom Team
VroomVroomVroom’s writing team brings together decades of writing expertise to share their insights into travelling around New Zealand by rental car. Let our team help you get the most out of your rental car experience.
