Pahia to Cape Reinga, then to New Plymouth (the end)

I left New Plymouth the following day and took the Surf Highway to drive around Mt Taranaki.

I reached Cape Egmont Lighthouse, complete west of the region.

I drove till Wanganui where I got my tarte au citron and croissants.

Then, I continued to drive till Pahiatua. Before reaching the town, you have to drive through the Manawatu Gorge.

In the morning, I continued south and took the road to Cape Palliser to check out the lighthouse and the seal colony. I think it was one of the best scenic roads I have ever been on, despite it was fucking gravel.

After this perfect day, I stopped at the Putangirua Reserve for a one hour walk to the Pinnacles because it is on the Cape Palliser road. My map says it was a location for the shooting of the Lord of the rings.

I planned to sleep at the camping area at the Putangirua Reserve, but again, it was way too windy to cook and sleep, and without shower, so I drove up to Featherston.

The next day, I drove to Wellington to find a shitty weather and a city not made for people with cars. Every parking on the street cost money or are reserved for residents only... without speaking about all the steep roads.

Because I did not want to wait 3 or 4 days for the weather to be great, I decided it was time to cross Cook’s Strait. I went to the I site and bought my ticket with Interislander for a 14:30 departure.

I arrived in Picton, where the weather was also shitty. But I then drove to Blenheim. At least, it was easy to park everywhere, and a bit less expensive.

I spent already 2 nights here mostly doing nothing because of the rain yesterday. Today I went to Wither Hills, south from Blenheim to have a better view of the city and the wineries from a higher viewpoint.

More pictures here