160.Waiouru (NZRU)

On day 160 we will be out of Raglan for a small community called Waiouru just south of the Tongariro National Park. Most of the flight will concentrate on the central portion of the North Island. But before we get to our destination we take a tour of Hobbiton, Hells Gate, the abandoned airport on Mount Tarawera, Ohaaki Power Station, Mount Tongariro, Mount Ruapehu and the Ohakune Carrot. The main attraction at our destination in Waiouru is the National Army Museum, opened in 1978, which features static displays of New Zealand's military heritage. The rest of the township consists of a small cluster of a police station, two garages, a petrol station/postal agency, two motels, a tavern and half a dozen cafes and restaurants spread along the highway. 

161.Wellington (NZWM)

Let's spin the tires and head to Wellington! Māori legends date back as far as 950 AD when Kupe first discovered Wellington. In the 1840s, European settlers began to arrive and colonize the region. Wellington, New Zealand has a lot to offer visitors. Some of the popular tourist attractions include the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa which is a museum full of cultural and scientific wonders, the Wellington Botanic Garden which is a beautiful garden with a variety of plants and flowers, the Wellington Museum which is a museum that showcases the history of Wellington, and Old St. Paul’s, Wellington which is a historic church with beautiful architecture. Other popular attractions include the Mount Victoria Tunnel which offers a great view of the city, Oriental Bay which is a beautiful beach, and Zealandia which is a wildlife sanctuary.

Where ARE WE next?