Sofitel Auckland Viaduct to Waitomo Glowworm Caves private car — Eleanor's business trip

The Auckland sun was already doing its best to burn through the January haze when I got the call for the Sofitel. A bit of a ritzy pickup, down by the Viaduct. I pulled the Intercity Cab up and waited. Soon enough, a woman came out, looking every bit the part of a city professional. Checked my booking. Sarah M. – booked from the UK, here on business. She had a smart, compact suitcase, the kind that looks like it knows its way around an airport.

She settled into the back, and I set the GPS for Waitomo. It’s always a pleasant drive heading south out of the city. The traffic can be a bit heavy leaving Auckland, especially on a Wednesday morning. We navigated through the usual snarls near the Southern Motorway, but once we cleared the inner suburbs and started heading towards Bombay Hills, things opened up. The roads were good, typical of New Zealand, and the air started to lose that city thickness, getting a fresher, greener scent as we rolled past farmland.

Sarah seemed content to just look out the window. I gathered she’d been in Auckland for a few days. She mentioned the city had a nice vibe, but it was a far cry from what she was used to back home in London. She explained that her work involved a lot of client visits, and this trip was to check out the infrastructure and potential business opportunities in the broader Waikato region. She was a project manager, I gathered, working for a large engineering firm. They were looking at projects related to renewable energy and infrastructure upgrades.

As we passed Pokeno, I pointed out the famous ice cream shop, a popular stop for many. She gave a polite nod. It’s the little things you notice when you’re driving all day, the landmarks that become familiar. Pokeno, Tuakau, Mercer. Then we were approaching Huntly, the power station a familiar sight on the horizon. The Waikato River was on our left for a good stretch, wide and steady.

Sarah eventually shared that she enjoyed coming to New Zealand. It wasn't her first time, but it was her first time down this way. She’d done a bit of the Northland coast on a previous visit. She found the pace of life here so different, a welcome change from the constant rush of her everyday life. She told me about her accommodation back in Auckland, a modern apartment in the CBD, and how she'd enjoyed exploring the waterfront area in her downtime. She'd even managed a quick trip to Waiheke Island, though she confessed she’d mostly stuck to trying the wines.

We continued on, passing through Ngaruawahia. The landscape started to change subtly as we moved further south. The rolling hills became a bit more pronounced, covered in lush green pasture. There were dairy farms everywhere, the black and white cows dots of calm on the verdant slopes. It’s a very pastoral scene, the sort of postcard view people imagine when they think of New Zealand.

I explained that the general area around Waitomo was known for its unique geological formations, particularly the limestone caves and the glowworms. She seemed quite interested, asking about the best time to see them and what to expect. I told her the tours ran frequently and that it was a pretty magical experience, especially the boat ride underground. She said she’d booked a tour for later that afternoon, keen to see the famous constellations of glowworms for herself.

As we neared Otorohanga, the signposts for Waitomo became more frequent. The roads started to narrow a little, winding through bush-covered hills. There’s a distinct feeling as you get closer to Waitomo; the air feels cooler, and the landscape feels more dramatic, more ancient. It’s a tourist hotspot, of course, but it retains a certain natural charm.

I dropped Sarah off at the entrance to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. She thanked me for the smooth ride and the local insights. She seemed relaxed and ready for her adventure. Watching her walk towards the entrance, I felt that familiar sense of satisfaction. Another successful trip, another visitor getting to see a special part of our country. It’s why I enjoy driving these routes. You’re not just moving people around; you’re part of their journey, a small but important piece of their New Zealand experience. I checked my next booking, a pickup from a B&B near Te Kuiti, and headed off, leaving Sarah to discover the wonders beneath the earth.