Auckland to Wellington - best route?

[sefer]

That's best route for ease of travel and time BTW ;)

Heading back home to Christchurch next week and need to try and sort out the fastest/easiest route to be taking. Every map I look at seems to give me a different story (AA's say go via Taupo, most others say it's longer).

I'll be travelling straight through, most likely on Sat to catch a (very) late ferry at about 2 in the morning, so assuming no problems (little paranoid, as I got a flat my last biggish trip and was stuck for quite a while) I should have no time issues, but:

- I need to have a gas station every 160kms or so (180 max), can get over 200kms commuting, but maintained high speeds eat the gas on my bike.
- I'd like to keep close to places where I can get tires fixed ect when possible. (I'll replace my patched tube before I leave, but still paranoid :) )?

So, suggestions guys?

Another thing, what breakdown services are avaible/recommended/not hugely expensive?

[sefer]

By the way, yes I did drive up here, but since it was late at night I was just following my GPS, no idea which way I came (missed all the cities thou), was all a bit isolated looking though.

[slofox]

Given your requirements, you might be best just to trundle on down SH1...even there I would check on the availability of gas at the required intervals...no problem during the day but at night could be interesting...

Now if you wanted an "interesting" route, things might well be different...

[James Deuce]

The "best" route would be via the Nurburgring.

But seriously, drone down SH1, which will deliver you almost directly to the ferry terminal. Budget 9 hours with a few stops.

Breakdown service? Dunno, look in the yellow pages. They have a web thingy.

[Hahn]

I am heading that way myself, most likely Friday if you want to join me.

Most likely will turn off at Ngaruawahia and take the National park instead of Desert rd. Te Kuiti, Taumarunui etc. State Highway 4 I think.

Can be less cars that way in the busy times and a lot less boring, although there are some long straights, than SH1.

Also I am an AA member so that is my breakdown protection.

I will be stopping in Bulls or Palmy (about 5 hours by car i think) overnight.

[BMWST?]

sh1 with the exception of going western side lake taupo(tokoroa,putaruru,whakamaru,tokaanu,then out to turangi).You have option here to go to national park via sh47 near tokaanu
one other thing,try to miss hamiltron.Most all of the towns on teh way will have gas,but only the bigger towns and or main highway ones at night

[Neon]

I recommend the route via Arapuni and Mangakino (http://tinyurl.com/ydnnyar). It looks longer on the map but the road is excellent (and fast). :yes:

[nighthawk]

I have done this trip often and almost always turn left at the bottom of Bombay hill and head to MataMata, there are gas stops and good roads,you can get to Tirau from Matamata and be on SH1 for a while, your options are endless from there.....have done this trip both ways to often to remember..

[Taz]

I'd also like to know who the best root is between Auckland and Wellington. Road trip coming up me thinks :devil2:

[Howsie]

I'd also like to know who the best root is between Auckland and Wellington. Road trip coming up me thinks :devil2:

When you do, post your root route for us! :lol:

[sefer]

Thanks for the suggestions so far guys. I'll check them out on the map soon. I'll be leaving in the morning sometime (hopefully by 10), mainly to be sure any gas stations are open, but also to try and get there before it's too dark.

I think I probably came the national parks way on the way up, and while it seemed like it'd be a nice road to ride on (apart from all the corner repairs I saw underway) I didn't see any gas stations for miles on it, so probably not the ideal route for me.

[sefer]

I am heading that way myself, most likely Friday if you want to join me.



That would have been great, but I have to leave on Sat really, as I don't really want to overnight anywhere, and must be in Picton on Sunday. Thanks for the offer though.

[sefer]

Ok, checking it out it seems like state 1 is the way to go. Just can't quite confirm gas stations going via National Park/Wanganui way, though this still seems to be shorter (and potentially more interesting). I've never been to Taupo though I guess...

Should I be going down the west side of lake Taupo as suggested? Any particular reason?

Looks like I'll be fine for stations for most the trip, between Taupo-Bulls is a little dicey, but according to the AA there's a gas station in Turangi, about 70kms from Taupo which should get me to Bulls if I keep the speed down (though maybe on reserve).


Anything else worth noting for the trip? Places to keep the speed right down, likely bad roads, likely cameras?

Thanks for all the assist guys. :)

[Taz]

What is the range on your 150?

[James Deuce]

Ok, checking it out it seems like state 1 is the way to go. Just can't quite confirm gas stations going via National Park/Wanganui way, though this still seems to be shorter (and potentially more interesting). I've never been to Taupo though I guess...

Should I be going down the west side of lake Taupo as suggested? Any particular reason?

Looks like I'll be fine for stations for most the trip, between Taupo-Bulls is a little dicey, but according to the AA there's a gas station in Turangi, about 70kms from Taupo which should get me to Bulls if I keep the speed down (though maybe on reserve).


Anything else worth noting for the trip? Places to keep the speed right down, likely bad roads, likely cameras?

Thanks for all the assist guys. :)

Err, there's petrol stations in Taihape and Hunterville too.

There's no dramas with petrol on SH1.

[Mully]

Just head South and stop when you find water.

[huff3r]

Err, there's petrol stations in Taihape and Hunterville too.

There's no dramas with petrol on SH1.

Yup, and a big caltex at Waioru

[shafty]

I can vouch for 24 hour gas stations in Te Kuiti and Taumarunui if that helps. Turangi and Waiouru are also of course 24 hour....

Have fun

[laserracer]

I recommend the route via Arapuni and Mangakino (http://tinyurl.com/ydnnyar). It looks longer on the map but the road is excellent (and fast). :yes:

watch out for a cop in a white or silver toyota Aurion seen a bike pulled over by one a couple of weeks ago on that road

[sefer]

Err, there's petrol stations in Taihape and Hunterville too.

There's no dramas with petrol on SH1.

Good to know. I have no idea where stations might be, and so can only go by the few maps that include them in some places. I'm sure there are more, but can only go by what I can plan for.



I can vouch for 24 hour gas stations in Te Kuiti and Taumarunui if that helps. Turangi and Waiouru are also of course 24 hour....

Knew about the Te Kuiti one. Any idea if there are many between Te Kuiti and Wanganui? I think National Park has one (I think I stopped there on the way up, had to wait four hours for it to open, and paid about 10c a litre over the usual desiel price).

[sinned]

I recommend the route via Arapuni and Mangakino (http://tinyurl.com/ydnnyar). It looks longer on the map but the road is excellent (and fast). :yes:
Agree this route excludes Hamilton which will add a lot of time to the trip. The Western lake road is fast and a time saver but only if you are prepared to speed, if you plan to ride 100-120 better to stay on SH1.


watch out for a cop in a white or silver toyota Aurion seen a bike pulled over by one a couple of weeks ago on that road Always a risk if you speed :nono:

[sefer]

I think my speed will depend a lot on how much gas/oil I want to use, and how sure I am I'm not going to earn myself a road user tax notice...

[sefer]

Well I'm getting ready to leave on Sat, tomorrows a full service for the bike, a new plug to take with me, some re-waterproofing spray for my wet weather gear, and a new tyre repair kit and levers, and a cheap handpump.

Any other suggestions? I'm sure I've missed a lot...

Also, anyone have good feedback about any tyre pando brands, or that slime stuff? While I can repair a tube (assuming the levers work well enough), I'd rather not..

[marty]

I commute Cambridge-Akl every week.

1st fuel stop @ Autobahn Papakura. From there follow SH1 to Taupiri, turn left and follow SH1B to Cambridge (about 120kms). 2nd fuel stop.

Follow SH1 south to Tokoroa (65k). 3rd fuel stop if you're nervous. Just before you leave Tok turn right into SH32 ('Hospital' is signposted down here) About 30k thru the forest, across the dam and turn left into Tihoi Rd/SH32. Ride to Turangi (about 120k) :) Turn left at SH1 and go about 200m for the 4th fuel stop.

Back onto SH1 for the ride down the Desert Rd to Welly.

Don't go SH2 thru Matamata - it's boring and straight and policed really heavily, and there's way more head on crashes on that road

[Tank]

you are all wrong. Best way.

Auckland airport - 3 beers - wellington airport. 1 hour. Sorted !

[sefer]

^^ Dude, I wish. Just working out the costs...it's going to cost me more to send my clothes and stuff back via the post than it would of to book a plane and take it with me....

[sefer]

I commute Cambridge-Akl every week.

1st fuel stop @ Autobahn Papakura. From there follow SH1 to Taupiri, turn left and follow SH1B to Cambridge (about 120kms). 2nd fuel stop.

Follow SH1 south to Tokoroa (65k). 3rd fuel stop if you're nervous. Just before you leave Tok turn right into SH32 ('Hospital' is signposted down here) About 30k thru the forest, across the dam and turn left into Tihoi Rd/SH32. Ride to Turangi (about 120k) :) Turn left at SH1 and go about 200m for the 4th fuel stop.

Back onto SH1 for the ride down the Desert Rd to Welly.

Don't go SH2 thru Matamata - it's boring and straight and policed really heavily, and there's way more head on crashes on that road

Thanks, that's the way I had planned for myself too, but it's good to know where the gas stops are!

Well wish me luck for tomorrow. My new brake pads are a bit tight, so lets hope they wear in without too much hassle, and don't cost me a lot of extra gas.

[cave weta]

I'd also like to know who the best root is between Auckland and Wellington. Road trip coming up me thinks :devil2:

Sorry to dissapoint Anthrax - but its me. And no Im not interested...:buggerd:

[DarkLord]

Brave lad, going that far on a 150!

When coming from Auckland, go via Tahuna/Matamata/Morrinsville.

This is apparently a bit quicker than SH1 (so I'm told) and is MUCH more fun. :cool:

[Jinx3d]

I dont think there are any 24 gasso's between blenhiem and chch, my brother spend a night lying in the grass near kiakoura waiting for them to open. Riding at night sucks anyway.

I'm heading down tommorow or wednesday. I'll go through the west back route. Its not faster though, if you want to get there fast, go SH1 and dont stop. f'kin boring though...

[bacougle]

Statehwy 4 is great. Auckland to Welly in 7.5 hrs with a bit of extra speed.

[sefer]

Lol, well my 150 isn't that slow really, did use a shitload of gas (and over a litre of oil) though!

Obviously made it ok, was a nice day and quite enjoyed the ride up till about 100kms out of Wellington, where it started to get cold and boring (and windy as). Was suprised I used so much oil, usually a full tank of oil will get me 1000kms or so, must have just managed 500 (I admit I was going a little fast), almost thought I was screwed, as the first gas station I stopped at didn't have any, luckly the other station in the town was an oil dealer as well!

Thanks for the advice guys.

[sinned]

Lol, well my 150 isn't that slow really, did use a shitload of gas (and over a litre of oil) though!


Nice to hear you made it. Did you leave a smoke trail all the way?

[sefer]

Likely dude, especially after I ran out about 500kms out of Auckland and had to buy some cheap non-synth stuff from a local gas station (all they had).