📷 Karora, Public domainWellington to Wairarapa wine country and Cape Palliser
A three-day drive over the Rimutaka Hill to Martinborough and on to the southern tip of the North Island.
- Distance
- 155 km (96 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 42 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 10
- States
- New Zealand
- Updated
- May 9, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 155 km (96 mi) with 10 stops, from Wellington to Cape Palliser Lighthouse. About 1 h 42 min of driving in total.
More road trips in New Zealand
Route description
Leave Wellington on SH2 through Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt, then climb the Rimutaka Hill Road, which reaches about 555 m. The road is steep and winding, and high winds can close it to high-sided vehicles, so check NZTA before leaving. Stop at the summit lookout. On the far side, Featherston is about 90 km from Wellington and has the Fell Locomotive Museum.
From Featherston, drive about 18 km to Martinborough, a small town around a square with several wineries on its outskirts. Te Muna Road has a group of cellar doors, and the lanes are flat for cycling. Stay in a motorhome park or holiday park here, and book ahead for weekends. Choose a designated driver for tastings, and ask cellar doors about parking for larger vehicles before you arrive.
On day two, drive south from Martinborough about 45 km to Lake Ferry, then follow the coast on Cape Palliser Road. This road is narrow, with unsealed sections and exposure to wind and sea spray, so check the local conditions. Campervans should take it slowly. Fuel is not available beyond Martinborough, so fill up and bring supplies. Water crossings and rockfall can occur after storms, so check conditions with the local council before you drive.
Putangirua Pinnacles lie along the road, where an hour-long walk leads into a valley of earth pillars; a basic DOC campsite sits at the car park. At the road end, climb the steps to the Cape Palliser Lighthouse, and keep clear of the fur seals on the rocks. Allow a full day, then return the way you came, about two hours back to Martinborough.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Wellington
New Zealand - 247 km
Rimutaka Hill Road Summit Lookout
ViewsFeatherston, New ZealandThe summit of SH2 between Upper Hutt and Featherston at about 555 m, with a lookout over the Wairarapa side and the Remutaka Range. The road is steep and winding. High winds can close it to high vehicles, so check NZTA before you set out.
- 314 km
Fell Locomotive Museum
HistoryFeatherston, New ZealandA museum in Featherston that holds the last surviving Fell engine, which pulled trains over the steep Rimutaka Incline until 1955. The building includes railway photos and models. Check opening days before you go, as it is run by volunteers.
- 40 km
Featherston
New Zealand - 520 km
Martinborough
New Zealand - 66 km
Te Muna Road Wine Area
FoodMartinborough, New ZealandA group of wineries a few kilometres south-west of Martinborough, known for Pinot Noir. Several cellar doors open for tastings and lunch, and the lanes are flat enough to cycle. Choose a designated driver, and check the opening days in winter.
- 735 km
Lake Ferry Holiday Park
NatureMartinborough, New ZealandA small holiday park beside Lake Onoke, on the road to Cape Palliser, with sites for tents and campervans. A nearby hotel serves meals. The lake is shallow, and the coast is exposed to wind. Check the park's opening dates and book for summer weekends.
- 811 km
Putangirua Pinnacles
NatureMartinborough, New ZealandTall earth pillars formed by erosion in a river valley, reached by a walk of about an hour from the car park, partly in a stream bed. The pinnacles also appeared in The Lord of the Rings films. Wear sturdy shoes, and avoid the valley after heavy rain.
- 91 km
Putangirua Pinnacles Campsite
NatureMartinborough, New ZealandA basic DOC campsite near the start of the Pinnacles track, with toilets and limited facilities, and no powered sites. Check the DOC site for current fees and any booking requirement. Bring water and expect strong wind on the coast.
- 1021 km
Cape Palliser Lighthouse
ViewsMartinborough, New ZealandA red-and-white striped lighthouse at the southern tip of the North Island, reached by about 250 steps up a cliff. Fur seals often rest on the rocks near the car park. Keep a safe distance from the seals and stay away from the water's edge.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Wellington → Rimutaka Hill Road Summit Lookout · 47 km · 0 h 31 min
- Day 2: Rimutaka Hill Road Summit Lookout → Te Muna Road Wine Area · 39 km · 0 h 26 minOn the way: Fell Locomotive Museum, Featherston, Martinborough.
- Day 3: Te Muna Road Wine Area → Cape Palliser Lighthouse · 69 km · 0 h 45 minOn the way: Lake Ferry Holiday Park, Putangirua Pinnacles, Putangirua Pinnacles Campsite.
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually March–April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in February, May–June, September and December. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
FAQs
How long is Wellington to Wairarapa wine country and Cape Palliser?
3-day road trip of about 155 km (96 mi) with 10 stops, from Wellington to Cape Palliser Lighthouse. About 1 h 42 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Wellington to Wairarapa wine country and Cape Palliser?
We suggest 3 days: about 1 h 42 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Wellington to Wairarapa wine country and Cape Palliser start and end?
It starts in Wellington and ends in Cape Palliser Lighthouse.
Which states does Wellington to Wairarapa wine country and Cape Palliser pass through?
New Zealand.
When is the best time for Wellington to Wairarapa wine country and Cape Palliser?
The most pleasant months are usually March–April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in February, May–June, September and December. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
