North Island tips/places to visit

[JMemonic]

Ok for the first time in some twenty years I am going to visit the north island, any pitfalls to avoid? Scenic places to visit? Must stop at pie shops?

The wife and I are on the way from Gore to Invercargill and I am sure you have to go via Cape Reinga

We will be doing the obvious like Te Papa, Motat, Waioru museum. Paeroa, so pretty much have the trip from Wellington to Auckland sorted but from there north is an open book as is heading down the west coast to New Plymouth.

I guess you folks that live that way will have some good inside info so suggestions please.

[CRM]

The best rides are out to Dargaville from Whangarei then up through the Waipoua Forest - worth a stop at Kai Iwi Lakes. Then up the west coast - Opononi is lovely in the afternoon sun. Then up to Rawene and across the car ferry and up through Broadwood to Kaitaia. Up to the cape then back down the East Coast - stop at Mangonui Fish and Chip shop - down the east coast stopping at Kerikeri. Then out to Waitangi to the treaty house and grounds, Paihia and across the ferry to Russell (don't miss it). Then down the coast and back onto SH1 - if you have time turn off at Hikurangi and do the Tutukaka Coast back to Whangarei.

Between Auckland and Whangarei there are some lovely deviations. The Mangawhai heads road takes you out to the East Coast on the northern half and SH6 out through Helensville takes you out to the West Coast on the Southern half of the trip. SH1 is actually pretty nice too - especially the Northern end over the Brynderwyns where you get a great view of Whangarei Heads and Bream Bay :yes:.

Allow plenty of time because there's a lot of road to cover - around 1000km round trip from Auckland if you cover the suggested route. Have fun!

[Gremlin]

CRM put the north down very well.

Further south (from Auckland, not from you) is the Forgotten Highway, SH43, over on the east coast, rounding East Cape that whole area takes you back a few decades. I'd even suggest Desert Rd, just for the difference (and it's actually a decent break from the monotony of the rest of SH1, but otherwise, probably stay clear of SH1 as much as reasonably possible, tis a boring place to be.

North from Forgotten Highway, you've got the Awakino Gorge on the coast, btw, if you're visiting Paeroa (not sure when you're going) try to be there for the racing in February, otherwise you'll wonder why on earth you went there. Going north of Wellington, don't forget to do SH54, and as always, the lcoals in the areas would be your best guides.

Enjoy the difference between the islands, the scenery is quite different. :ride:

[Maha]

The best rides are out to Dargaville from Whangarei then up through the Waipoua Forest - worth a stop at Kai Iwi Lakes. Then up the west coast - Opononi is lovely in the afternoon sun. Then up to Rawene and across the car ferry and up through Broadwood to Kaitaia. Up to the cape then back down the East Coast - stop at Mangonui Fish and Chip shop - down the east coast stopping at Kerikeri. Then out to Waitangi to the treaty house and grounds, Paihia and across the ferry to Russell (don't miss it). Then down the coast and back onto SH1 - if you have time turn off at Hikurangi and do the Tutukaka Coast back to Whangarei.

Between Auckland and Whangarei there are some lovely deviations. The Mangawhai heads road takes you out to the East Coast on the northern half and SH6 out through Helensville takes you out to the West Coast on the Southern half of the trip. SH1 is actually pretty nice too - especially the Northern end over the Brynderwyns where you get a great view of Whangarei Heads and Bream Bay :yes:.

Allow plenty of time because there's a lot of road to cover - around 1000km round trip from Auckland if you cover the suggested route. Have fun!

Yesterday we came back from Coopers beach, turned right at Kerikeri and headed towards Kaikohe (several roads I had not been on before) then down Twin Bridges Road...a must do for any Northland trip.

[JMemonic]

Cheers am going to have a look at those ideas now. Got the going up sorted unfortunately going to miss the east cape but trying to stay off highway 1 as much as possible.

As to when next month, we are on the way to the Burt Munro....

[dogsnbikes]

Cheers am going to have a look at those ideas now. Got the going up sorted unfortunately going to miss the east cape but trying to stay off highway 1 as much as possible.

Pete's pies in Sanson:yes:

When are you coming north ???......There are some great roads around here and the manawatu too keep you off SH1

[ynot slow]

Be rude not to at least attempt to ride to either carpark on Mt Egmont,views on a good day are awesome,and Awakino,Mt Messenger is great ride.

[CRM]

Yesterday we came back from Coopers beach, turned right at Kerikeri and headed towards Kaikohe (several roads I had not been on before) then down Twin Bridges Road...a must do for any Northland trip.

Yeah forgot that one :woohoo: - maybe better to go up through that road from Whangarei then out to the West Coast from Kaikohe - you miss Waipoua forest but at least get to Opononi which is pretty special I reckon.

[Pedrostt500]

Head out to the west coast from Hamiltron, Raglan is worth a look, head south from Raglan to Kawhia, check out Te Puia Springs, if you dont mind gravel roads head south to Marakopa, and then check out the tunnel access to the beach at Waikawau beach, Don't ride down the tunnel, wet sand stone is bad enough on an adventure bike. Beware of wooly beasties on this road, there is some gravel between Raglan and Kawhia.
There is a little museum at Mokau, but don,t miss the one at Tawhiti east of Hawera, its the best Museum in the country well worth the detour to see.

[caspernz]

Everyone has their own favourites, some of mine...

Forgotten World Highway from Taumaranui to Stratford.

The Paraparas from Raetihi to Wanganui.

The Western Access around the eastern side of Lake Taupo, Turangi to Atiamuri.

Dargaville up thru the Waipoua forest to Kaikohe.

The Napier-Taupo road is quite a cool ride.

The Gentle Annie, now that it has been sealed and reshaped, Taihape to Napier.

Surf Coast highway, Hawera around the eastern side of Mt Egmont to New Plymouth.

Loads of interesting backroads everywhere, just so much time to ride though huh?

[Renegade]

Turangi bakery makes a mean pie, won some awards too, ive spent some cash at that place when i was living there.