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Cape Palliser Road: Martinborough to Ngāwī, South Wairarapa, Wellington
Photo: Pseudopanax at English Wikipedia · Public domain

Drives Wellington, New Zealand Hawke's Bay, Wairarapa and Wellington

Cape Palliser Road: Martinborough to Ngāwī

Cape Palliser Road, Lake Ferry Road · Martinborough → Ngāwī

Sweeping37 mi1 hr 45 min1,500 ft climbHigh point ≈ 500 ftOne way
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The drive

This drive goes from Martinborough to Ngāwī on the Wairarapa south coast, on Lake Ferry Road and Cape Palliser Road. The first half is farm road through Pirinoa. Then the road reaches the coast and becomes something different: a narrow, exposed shoreline road with the sea alongside.

Ngāwī is the end of this drive. Beyond it the road continues to the Cape Palliser lighthouse and its seal colony, but that last part isn't part of this route.

The coast road is exposed to storms and heavy seas. Storm damage has at times reduced a stretch north of Ngāwī to a single lane under traffic control, and waves can wash over the road at night.

Along the way

  1. Martinborough
  2. Pirinoa
  3. Ngāwī
Elevation
1,500 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 500 ft
MartinboroughNgāwī
Curves
Mostly gentle, with one twisty stretch
MartinboroughNgāwī
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Storm damage has at times reduced a section of Cape Palliser Road just north of Ngāwī to one lane, with stop/go traffic control by day.
  • The road can close at night when waves wash over it, so don't count on getting through after dark.
  • Storm repairs are common on this coast, so check the council's road closures page before you go.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check South Wairarapa District Council: road closures.

Questions about this drive

How long does Cape Palliser Road take from Martinborough to Ngāwī?

Martinborough to Ngāwī is 60 km (37 mi) and takes about 1 hr 45 min, partly because of the coastal bends and slower sections.

Does Cape Palliser Road close?

It can. Storm damage can reduce the stretch north of Ngāwī to one lane with traffic control, and the road can close when seas wash over it. Check the South Wairarapa District Council page.

What is at the end of Cape Palliser Road?

Past Ngāwī the road continues to the Cape Palliser lighthouse and its seal colony. This drive finishes at Ngāwī.

Which roads make up the Martinborough to Ngāwī drive?

It follows Lake Ferry Road through Pirinoa and then Cape Palliser Road to the south coast at Ngāwī.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Cape Palliser Road: Martinborough to Ngāwī, from Martinborough to Ngāwī