#journeyom: road trip edition

It’s a three and a half hour drive from Auckland to Lake Taupo. We figure that makes for a pretty cruisy road trip if you ask us. There’s nothing quite like hitting the open road on a warm summer’s day, and if your destination is Wanderlust Taupo, it makes the drive all the more sweeter. We’ve put together our top tips for the journey to the d’om, once you’ve got these bad boys down, hop on the Thermal Explorer Highway and you’ll be smooth sailing your way to bliss.

GET TECHIE

Before even leaving the driveway, make sure there’s an auxiliary cord and car phone charger in the glove box. We’re fairly certain that without these two items, your drive could be hindered in lack of audio entertainment and a dead phone battery. Unless you’re old school and carry a map with you, no phone equals no google maps… mother of god.

CAPTAIN AND FIRST MATE

A road trip needs to be done with a companion. From helping navigate, to feeding you while you drive, a front seat passenger will make the trip all the more memorable.

Rendition of Mockingbird anyone?

PLAYLISTS ‘N’ PODCASTS

Unless you plan on

singing this for three and a half hours, we’d recommend preparing various podcasts and playlists for the drive. Why not get in the mood for Wanderlust by listening to some Xavier Rudd, Nahko and Medicine for the People, or Sola Rosa? Another brilliant way to pass the time in the car is by listening to stand-up comedy. Spotify has a crazy good stand-up genre with playlists you can listen (and laugh) to for days.

IT’S OFFICIAL

Snacks on a road trip are what make it an official road trip. Packing way too much food is a must (just incase the car breaks down and you have to live off of dried fruit for a week.) We’d recommend things like raw nuts, fruit and the cheeky bit of dark chocolate. If you’re feeling like doing some prep-work for the drive, a container full of bliss balls will be the perfect, easy to eat snack for both driver and passenger.

The Waikato River, just north of Taupo

SEE THE SIGHTS

The drive from Auckland to Lake Taupo is breathtaking. Take the time to pull over, enjoy the sights and appreciate the moment. Just before you hit the lake, stop by Huka Falls to watch New Zealand’s longest river, The Waikato River, pump 220,000 litres of water per second through the roaring ravine. You could even hop on a jet boat to see it up close and personal if you’re feeling adventurous (and don’t mind getting wet.)

Heading to Wanderlust Taupo? Share your road trip moments with @lululemonausnz with the hashtag #journeyom.

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Bonnie is our email and blog specialist for Australia and New Zealand. Along with writing, she’s a keen traveller, food lover, and podcast listener. Whether it’s making homemade beef jerky, shoulder shruggin’ to some hip hop or practicing her handstands, you can find out what she’s up to by following her on Instagram.