Gisborne to Napier, the Wairarapa and Wellington by Campervan
Quick summary: This campervan and motorhome route runs down the sunny east side of the North Island through two of New Zealand’s great wine regions. From Gisborne the road follows the coast and hills to Napier, the Art Deco city, around 215 km, then through the vineyards and orchards of Hawke’s Bay and south through the rural Wairarapa to the wine village of Martinborough and over the hills to Wellington. It is around 535 km; allow four to five days.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Start and end | Gisborne to Wellington via Napier, Hastings and the Wairarapa |
| Distance | Around 535 km (Gisborne to Napier around 215 km; Napier to Wellington around 320 km) |
| Pure driving time | Around 7 hours |
| Recommended time | 4–5 days |
| Road character | Sealed; hilly and winding north of Napier, gentler through the Wairarapa, then the steep Remutaka Hill |
| Key stops | Morere, Wairoa, Lake Tūtira, Napier, Hastings, Te Mata Peak, Cape Kidnappers, Waipukurau, Pūkaha, Masterton, Greytown, Martinborough, Cape Palliser |
| Overnight options | Holiday parks in Gisborne, Napier, Hastings, Masterton, Martinborough and along the coast |
| Nearest pickup city | Wellington |
| Best for | Wine, food, Art Deco architecture, cycling and sunshine |
Why is this route so rewarding?
Because it is one of the most relaxed and indulgent drives in the country. Hawke’s Bay is New Zealand’s oldest wine region, known for its reds and Chardonnay, and its flat, sunny plains are laced with cycle trails between cellar doors, orchards and farmers’ markets. Napier, rebuilt after a devastating earthquake in the 1930s, is a showcase of Art Deco architecture.
Further south, the Wairarapa is a rural region of charming small towns, with Martinborough at its heart: a walkable village surrounded by Pinot Noir vineyards. Down on the coast, Cape Palliser has wild scenery and a fur seal colony.
What are the best stops between Gisborne and Wellington?
| Stop | Distance from Gisborne | Time to allow | Campervan notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morere Hot Springs | Around 60 km | 1–2 hours | Hot pools in native forest |
| Wairoa | Around 100 km | 30 min | Riverside town with services |
| Lake Tūtira | Around 175 km | 30 min | Lakeside stop with walks |
| Napier | Around 215 km | 1–2 days | Art Deco city, Marine Parade |
| Hastings and Havelock North | Around 235 km | 1–2 days | Wineries, Te Mata Peak, markets |
| Cape Kidnappers | Around 255 km (detour) | Half a day | Gannet colony, by tour |
| Waipukurau | Around 285 km | 30 min | Gateway to the southern Hawke’s Bay coast |
| Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre | Around 390 km | 1–2 hours | Native birds, including kiwi |
| Masterton | Around 420 km | 1 hour | Wairarapa’s main town |
| Greytown | Around 445 km | 1 hour | Historic main street, boutiques and cafés |
| Martinborough | Around 455 km | Half a day to overnight | Wine village |
| Wellington | Around 535 km | 1–2 days | The capital, the ferry |
Napier
Napier was rebuilt in the Art Deco style after an earthquake in the 1930s, and today its city centre is one of the best collections of Art Deco buildings in the world. Walk the Marine Parade, join a guided Art Deco walk or take a vintage car tour, and visit the National Aquarium of New Zealand on the waterfront.
Hastings, Havelock North and Te Mata Peak
Hastings and Havelock North sit among the vineyards and orchards of the Heretaunga Plains. Drive or walk up Te Mata Peak for a superb view over the plains, the sea and the distant mountains. The Hawke’s Bay Trails network of cycleways links wineries, beaches and towns, and is one of the best ways to explore.
Cape Kidnappers
At Cape Kidnappers, the world’s largest mainland gannet colony nests on the clifftops. The colony is visited by guided tours, either by tractor along the beach or by four-wheel-drive over private farmland.
The Wairarapa
South of Hawke’s Bay, State Highway 2 runs through rolling farmland to the Wairarapa. Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre, near Mount Bruce, breeds native birds and is home to kiwi, kākā and tuatara. Greytown has one of the best-preserved Victorian main streets in the country, full of cafés and boutiques. Martinborough is ringed by vineyards within walking and cycling distance of the village square.
Cape Palliser
A detour south from Martinborough leads to Cape Palliser, the southern tip of the North Island. On the way are the Putangirua Pinnacles, eroded rock spires reached by a walk up a stream bed, and at the cape, a lighthouse and the North Island’s largest fur seal colony. Part of the road is unsealed; see our guide to roads to check in your rental terms.
What tours and experiences are available along this route?
- Wine tours in Hawke’s Bay and Martinborough, by minibus, bicycle or on foot.
- Cycling the Hawke’s Bay Trails with bike hire and shuttles.
- Art Deco walking and vintage car tours in Napier.
- Cape Kidnappers gannet tours by tractor or four-wheel-drive.
- Hot pools at Morere and in Hawke’s Bay.
- Kiwi and native bird encounters at Pūkaha.
- Food tours and farmers’ markets around Hastings.
Where can you stay overnight on this route?
- Holiday parks in Gisborne, Wairoa, Napier, Hastings, Waipukurau, Masterton and Martinborough.
- Coastal campsites along the Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa coasts.
- Freedom camping in a certified self-contained vehicle is available at some spots where permitted; check locally and see our freedom camping guide.
What are the driving conditions like?
The road from Gisborne to Napier is sealed but hilly and winding, with some steep sections. Through Hawke’s Bay and the Wairarapa, the roads are gentler, through farmland and small towns. The final crossing of the Remutaka Hill into Wellington is steep, narrow and very winding, with tight hairpins; take it slowly, use a low gear on descents and be aware of strong winds.
Where are fuel, supermarkets and dump stations?
Gisborne, Napier, Hastings, Waipukurau, Masterton and Wellington all have supermarkets, fuel and dump stations. See our dump stations and water guide.
How long should you spend on this route?
- Day 1: Gisborne to Napier, around 215 km, via Morere Hot Springs.
- Day 2: Napier’s Art Deco centre and the Hawke’s Bay wineries.
- Day 3: Cape Kidnappers tour or cycling, then Te Mata Peak.
- Day 4: Hastings to Martinborough, around 225 km, via Pūkaha and Greytown.
- Day 5: Cape Palliser, or straight on to Wellington, around 80 km over the Remutaka Hill.
Is Hawke’s Bay good for cycling from an RV base?
It is one of the best regions in the country for it. The flat Hawke’s Bay Trails link wineries, beaches and towns, so you can park the campervan or motorhome at a holiday park in Napier or Hastings, hire bikes, and spend the day riding between cellar doors.
Which routes connect to this leg?
- Before: the East Cape to Gisborne, or Rotorua and Taupō, with Napier around 140 km from Taupō.
- Next: Wellington and the Cook Strait ferry.
Start this route from Wellington
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Frequently Asked Questions
Napier is around 215 km south of Gisborne, about 3 hours of driving without stops.
Napier is around 320 km from Wellington via the Wairarapa, about 4 hours of driving without stops.
Napier was rebuilt in the Art Deco style after a devastating earthquake in the 1930s, and its city centre is one of the most complete collections of Art Deco architecture in the world.
The gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers is visited on guided tours, either by tractor along the beach or by four-wheel-drive over private farmland.
Yes. Martinborough is a walkable wine village surrounded by Pinot Noir vineyards, with cellar doors within walking or cycling distance, around 80 km from Wellington.
Yes, but it is steep, narrow and very winding, with tight hairpins and exposure to strong winds. Drive slowly and use a low gear on the descent.