wellington to new plymouth

...take the scenic route with apex car rentals. Sample extract from "New Zealand Driving Holidays" guidebook Wellington to New Plymouth chapter.

Fifty minutes drive north of Wellington, the Kapiti Coast is well known for its exceptional cheese and unique flora and fauna. Many of NZ’s most endangered birds reside on this coastline which leads north to Wanganui, a historic riverboat town. It once formed part of a thriving tourist route between Auckland and Wellington, and today this bygone era is recreated aboard NZ’s only coal-fired paddle steamer, the PS Waimarie. Further north the symmetrical volcanic cone of Mt Taranaki can be seen clearly on the horizon. Taranaki’s bulbous coastline is tucked firmly around twothirds of this zen-like mountain, providing NZ’s most consistent surf conditions. Access is provided courtesy of SH45, the Surf Highway, which follows around the coast from Hawera to New Plymouth.

day three: wellington to wanganui

Key
- Destinations
- Apex Locations

In the morning Mt Taranaki is parading his magnificent Fuji-like torso in the sun as we begin our day at Kevin Wasley’s Elvis Presley Museum. Kevin or ‘KD’ as he’s known in these parts, greets us at the curb and vigorously shakes Bob’s hand when he discovers that he’s a fellow enthusiast.

But perhaps not as passionate – when we step inside his garage it’s like a shrine, with the floors, ceiling and walls plastered in Elvis pictures, posters and newspaper cuttings. KD began his collection in 1959 when he was 14 years old and amongst the numerous exhibits are old LP covers, signed records and albums from around the world, photos, posters, number plates, cuff links, a jumble of replica clothes and endless other memorabilia. “It’s my tribute to the man,” he tells us before we depart to climb up the Hawera Water Tower. From the top we have excellent views of the vibrant, green Taranaki countryside, before we drive to Tawhiti Museum, hailed as one of the best private museums in NZ.

The brainchild of ex-art teacher, Nigel Ogle, its galleries recreate many aspects of early life in South Taranaki, from the Maori-European land wars to the struggles of the dairy industry.

“It’s so lifelike,” says Bob as we admire Nigel’s painstakingly crafted models in realistic historical settings.

We leave town on SH45, the legendary Surf Highway, which horseshoes around the coastline beneath Mt Taranaki, past several popular surfing haunts en route to New Plymouth...

Please click the link to download the full Wellington to New Plymouth scenic drive, courtesy of apex car rentals new zealand... the kiwi way

To read more extracts from our driving holiday's guidebook please click on any of the following links:

• Auckland to Bay of Islands and Northland
• Cape Reinga and the Far North
• Auckland's West Coast Beaches
• Waiheke Island
• Auckland to Whakatane and the Bay of Plenty
• East Cape and Poverty Bay
• Whakatane to Hawkes Bay
• Rotorua - Maori Culture and Adventure Activities
• Hawkes Bay to Wellington
• Wairarapa- The home of Martinborough Wine
• Wellington to New Plymouth
• New Plymouth to Auckland

• Picton to Christchurch
• Akaroa and Banks Peninsula
• Christchurch to Queenstown
• Queenstown fabulous Queenstown
• Christchurch to Dunedin
• Dunedin to Te Anau
• Stewart Island
• Fiordland to Milford Sounds
• Central Otago
• Queenstown to Greymouth
• Greymouth to Nelson
• Murchison
• Nelson to Golden Bay
• Nelson to Picton

purchase nzdh online

If you would like to purchase a copy of this stunning nz pictorial guidebook online please click here (RRP $24.95 plus postage)

view today's best deals for wellington to new plymouth rental cars

With apex rental cars the longer you hire the lower the daily rate. Please click the link to view today's best wellington to new plymouth rental car deal.