Day 13: Visit Mount Taranaki and Wellington in one day
Visit Mount Taranaki and Wellington in one day It was the idea we had for today's journey to New Zealand, but nothing could be further from the truth, at least for now. And it is that following the weather we had yesterday at the last minute, when we finished the route through the places to see on the Forgotten World Highway, the sky is still completely covered and threatening, making Mount Taranaki not even peeked since we arrived.
Although they say that in the White Cloud Country the weather is unpredictable and this can change every 5 minutes, so far in New Zealand we can not complain and that is even in the days when the forecast was not entirely favorable, like the day we made the route through the places to see in Rotorua or the visit to Hobbiton or Waitomo Caves, in the end the weather lasted, allowing us to make all the visits.
But we understand, although not without resignation, that this may not always be so, so it seems that visit Mount Taranaki and Wellington in one day, at least the first part, today it will be impossible.
As we mentioned the previous days, on this trip we have 4-5 extra days, which we leave as a wild card for these cases. The main idea was to extend the stay in places where bad weather would not allow us to make any of the essential visits. And the truth is that Mount Taranaki deserved it, without a doubt, although the problem arose yesterday when we saw that the seats for the ferry from Wellington to Picton, with which we will pass from the North Island to the South Island, were almost exhausted and waiting several days to see Mount Taranaki could mean running out of seats for the ferry or having to wait too many days.
And so, with this uncertainty and without having very clear what to do, we decided to leave Mangawara River Hideaway, the place that has been our accommodation in the Taranaki tonight, to give us a couple of hours of truce, waiting for finally, Mount Taranaki give us even a few minutes.
This time was spent in New Plymouth, the town where we were yesterday, between coffee and work hours that we interrupt every few minutes to check time and time again, without this seems to want to be on our side this time.
And so, when it is 10:30 and seeing that the weather is far from expected to improve, we decided that the time has come to go to Wellington, to where we have 350 kilometers and practically five hours of travel.
Remember that if you are interested in making a route through New Zealand by motorhome, we recommend you look at the Motorhome Republic page where you can see all the available motorhome options, prices and make the reservation directly.
Visit Mount Taranaki and Wellington in one day
But as we do not want to leave this post without basic information about Taranaki, although for us it has not been possible to enjoy it, we leave you a summary of what we would have done, in case the good weather had accompanied us.
Mount taranaki
Known for being one of the most perfect volcanic cones in the world, Mount Taranaki, 2518 meters high, is one of the must-see places in New Zealand.
The Maori legend tells that the Taranaki was forced to flee after part of his tribe discovered that he was a lover of Pihanga, a mountain of Lake Taupo, which in turn was a lover of Mount Tongariro.
In this flight, the Taranaki was leaving a trail, the Whanganui River, following its path to its current location, which is mostly hidden behind the clouds, so that no one can see their sadness and tears.
Mount Taranaki Pixabay image
The truth is that the legend cannot be more beautiful and for us more real, since as this account, the Taranaki has not become visible to us in the two days we have been in the area.
Where to see Mount Taranaki
Despite this, as we mentioned, we believe that this is an essential stop, although we recommend you look at the weather before coming and above all, control the online webcams that are in the area, from which you can check in real time if you See or not Mount Taranaki.
In case it is visible, according to what we could read and recommended the best places are:
- Kent Road, very close to New Plymouth (we leave location below). The best time is first thing in the morning and in the afternoon, when the day is clear, the clouds usually also clear the volcano. This is the famous location that can be seen on Instagram, where you can see a road and the Taranaki in the background.
- Mamgamahoe Lake, also very close to New Plymouth. The photos we have seen on Instagram are impressive and without a doubt, on clear days, it must be a real wonder and one of the moments of the trip.
- In addition to these two locations, in Google Maps we saw that there is a circular road that borders the Taranaki. In case the day is clear or there is good weather forecast, we believe that touring it can be a real spectacle for the senses.
Many thanks to Jairo and Claudia for the exact locations and tips to see the Taranaki. Although the day at the end did not allow us, if it had not been for your help, surely we would not have found these locations.
We leave you the map of the route we would have followed to visit the Taranaki on a day that includes stops on Kent Road, Mamgamahoe Lake in addition to the road around Mount Taranaki.
Already en route, we make a technical stop to eat, drink coffee and stretch our legs to reach Wellington when it is 4:30 in the afternoon. After checking the accommodation options that we have in the city in the Campermate application, taking into account that tomorrow we have to be first in the port to catch the ferry, we decided on Barnett Street Card Park, located just next to the Museum Te Papa, which will be our accommodation in Wellington tonight.
This place is nothing more than a parking lot that costs 30NZD 24 hours and 14NZD 12 hours, where you can sleep until it is not Saturday and your vehicle is self-contained, since on Sunday there is a market that is located in this place and overnight is prohibited.
Parking next to the Te Papa museum
Taking into account that between one thing and another, they are the case at 4 in the afternoon, we decided that it is best to make a route through Wellington on a fast day, which includes some of the most famous places, among which you can not miss the museum Te Papa, one of the most famous in the country.
More practical information to prepare your trip to New Zealand
- 10 essential tips for traveling to New Zealand
- 10 essential places to see in New Zealand
- The best travel insurance for New Zealand
What to see in Wellington in one day
Known as the cultural capital of New Zealand, Wellington is on many occasions (like ours) visited for only a few hours, as a bridge between the North Island and the South Island, since it is from its port where ferries depart between islands.
Although as we have said on several occasions, for us the cities of New Zealand were not the main objectives of the trip, we believe that there are a couple of visits that if you have an afternoon or a morning, you can not miss.
Te Papa Museum
A must see, this free admission museum is one of Wellington's must-sees. The schedule is from 10am to 6pm every day.
If, as we have little time, a 2-hour visit will allow you to know its most important rooms and get an idea of this museum, considered one of the best in the country.
Te Papa Museum
The most important rooms are those of national and environmental history, in addition to the plant dedicated to national art, which we have to say, it is the one we liked the most and we are sure, it will not leave you indifferent. It is this plant, for issues of rights and above all respect, it is forbidden to take photos, so we hope you can see it and then tell us what you think.
Te Papa Museum
After practically two hours visiting the Te Papa Museum and being a little after 6 in the afternoon, we approached another of the most important points of Wellington, Cuba Street.
Cuba Street, another place to see in Wellington in one day
Known for being one of the streets with more atmosphere in the city, Cuba Street is another of the essentials of Wellington where color, taste and good vibes are guaranteed.
Also here are some of the city's historic buildings and many interesting restaurants and venues.
Cuba Street
We, after a walk around the area, decided to take advantage of dinner at Curry Heaven, one of the most recommended restaurants in the city where we ordered a curry, pakoras, naan, beer and water for 39NZD with which after another walk through The most central area and knowing that we have left many places to see in Wellington, we retired to Barnett Street Card Park, where we will spend the night dreaming about the second stage of this impressive country.
We leave you the map of the route that we have followed to visit Wellington in one day.
We leave you the map of the route that we have followed to visit Mount Taranaki and Wellington in one day.
Day 14: Ferry from Wellington to Picton in New Zealand - Queen Charlotte Drive - Nelson - Murchinson
