Introduction to today's journey
Today's journey heads south through Hawkes Bay and through the Manawatu Gorge to follow the west coast back to Wellington.
Today's Journey
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Departing Wairoa in the early morning, we pass the Mohaka Viaduct, New Zealand's most impressive railway bridge. |
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The road heads inland passing rugged mudstone terrain covered in farmland and pine forest. |
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We stop at the Napier botanical gardens in the middle of the city. The entire city was raised 2 metres in the 1931 earthquake, and parts of the coast we had passed a bit further north were raised 10 metres in the one earthquake. |
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Crossing the Ngaruroro River as we approach Hastings as we cross the plains of Hawkes Bay. |
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Heading inland passing farmland under limestone hills as we approach Waipukurau. |
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Passing through Woodville after having travelled through the valleys of Central Hawkes Bay. |
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Heading through the Manawatu Gorge, the road following one side of the river downstream, and the railway on the other side. The road has since permanently closed after a huge landslide came down. |
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Passing through the middle of Palmerston North before heading towards the coast. |
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Following the coast into Pukerua Bay before heading over the hill into Wellington. The mountains of Marlborough Sounds in the South Island are just visible in the distance. |
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Heading towards Porirua shortly before the sun sets. It is not long before we reach Wellington where I'll be based over the next two nights. |
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