Auckland to Ohakune best way to go?

[Sam I Am]

Whats the best way to drive a cage to Ohakune ?

As far as i can see it is eather SH1 all the way or turn off and use SH39>SH3>SH4

any advice please

thanks sam

[Bren]

SH1 is the busier route, but with more passing lanes. The trouble is you need to double back from waiouru...I myself would go through Hamilton, then Otorahanga and Taumaranui thru nat park and finally Ohakune...just my $2 worth

[Sam I Am]

thanks Bren

[MaxB]

In a cage, in this weather, SH1 to Hamilton, SH3 to 8 mile junction, SH4 through Taumarunui to the SH49 turn off to Ohakune.

Sometimes if I have the time I might go Karapiro-Mangakino and pick up the Western Access Road (SH32) and Tokaanu-National Park (SH42 and 47) and down from there.

[Sam I Am]

MaxB "in this weather" does it make a difference ?

[Hitcher]

There's always the Te Kuiti/Benneydale/Whakamaru/Turangi option, which is great fun.

[driftn]

Go to Ngaruwahia which bypasses hamilhole and through pirongia and comes out at the south end of otorohanga then follow the road through national park. The best way I know of.

[Swoop]

Go to Ngaruwahia which bypasses hamilhole and through pirongia and comes out at the south end of otorohanga then follow the road through national park. The best way I know of.
Yup. The skiiers route. Turn right, just after the meatworks at Ngaruwahia.

[Sam I Am]

Thanks all, so via Ngaruwahia > Otorohanga it will be.

[Ixion]

I understand Mr GiJoe highly recommends the route through Gore.

[Sam I Am]

I understand Mr GiJoe highly recommends the route through Gore.

HAHA Now if i was on a bike and had time i would go with that....

[slofox]

Go to Ngaruwahia which bypasses hamilhole and through pirongia and comes out at the south end of otorohanga then follow the road through national park. The best way I know of.

You do need to turn right off SH1 at the south end of Ngaruawahia to get onto SH39...but I guess that is obvious enough..?
Did that run this morning pre-work...great wee piece of road.

[marty]

No complaints about speeding tickets though - SH39 is usually very heavily policed as it's full of Aucklanders speeding to the mountain - the Waikato Highway Patrol's favorite target :) (Aucklanders first, skiers second - it's worth 2 quota points to get them together!)

[slofox]

No complaints about speeding tickets though - SH39 is usually very heavily policed as it's full of Aucklanders speeding to the mountain - the Waikato Highway Patrol's favorite target :) (Aucklanders first, skiers second - it's worth 2 quota points to get them together!)

Actually Marty, I use that road a lot - it is one of my regular pre-work rides - and to be honest, I don't see a lot of HP cars out there at all...'course, I go well within the speed limit at all times, being as how I yam a ven'rable ole' grampy man an' orl...:whistle:...so maybe they just don't bother to stop me. Are they all mufties then? If so, can you give us a description of each and every car then plus rego's?

[driftn]

I have done that road ALOT and must say I have honestly seen no more than 3 cop's from welly to auckland. In saying that, all of the ones I have seen are from tekuiti to otorohanga.
Haha, Was travelling up the line a few years ago, pass a car and the missus say's "your speeding" I say "yes I am" sure enough car comes round a slight bend in road and WOOOOOO disco lights "your nicked son" bugger.
Last time I ever be smug about doing 10k over the limit.
Watch the Waikato mate and have a safe trip.

[Sam I Am]

Thank you all for all the help. All just wishing i had a radar detector now lol

I'll be taking it easy and just enjoying the trip

later all.

[MaxB]

MaxB "in this weather" does it make a difference ?

Just thinking that the Desert Road can close suddenly at this time of year. No fun being sent on the detour. Some of the highways up on the Central Plateau have electronic ice warning signs, its best to take note especially after dark.

[CookMySock]

I'll be taking it easy and just enjoying the trip.In this case, just look up directions from wises.co.nz and see where it sends you. Print out a map and sit back and enjoy the trip.

Steve

[Sam I Am]

thanks again everyone i had a fantastic trip ( and good skiing )
I went via otorohanga and loved the drive with only passing two cops and was flashed by on comming traffic to warn me ( thankfully....)
I would love to ride it one day.