Manukura the white kiwi

We stopped for two nights after leaving New Plymouth before finally reaching Wellington. Our first night was spent in Palmerston North after a long drive around Cape Egmont.  We stopped several times to enjoy the scenery including a sunny break at the Cape Egmont lighthouse.  The lighthouse is now fully automated but its location on a small hillock overlooking the Tasman Sea was truly magnificent. 

Our second night was spent on the outskirts of Martinborough.  This was a last minute change to our itinerary that ultimately proved to be another highlight from our North Island road trip.  We made our way south from Palmerston North via Mt Bruce.  My brother recommended we stop in at the Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre. 

We’ve couldn’t have asked for a better recommendation.  The centre is well laid out and gave us some exception wildlife spotting opportunities.  Here we saw the fattest native eels we’d ever seen swimming in a stream, got up close with a Tuatara and spotted a host of native birds includingTui, Whio, Kaks and Wood Pigeons.  However, the highlight of our visit was the Kiwi House where we saw Manukura, the world’s only captive white kiwi.

We then made our way to Martinborough for a special wine tasting session at the famous Atarangi winery.  Its McCrone Block Pinot Noir is undoubtedly one of the world’s finest expressions of this particular varietal. Again, the highlight of our day was most unexpected.  We stumbled upon Greytown, just ten minutes from Martinborough. 

This quaint country town has been beautifully restored to reflect the best of late 19^th Century architecture.  Its bustling cafes and shops proved incredibly inviting.  So much so that we returned the next morning to spend a few hours wandering the main street.