Auckland-Rotorua routes to take etc

[Chaosmage]

I am heading down to Rotorua this weekend for a stag do. Supposed to go in a cage but, don't really want to leave my bike outside on the street over the weekend etc

1) Any good routes to take?
2) Will I really want to ride home if i'm extremely hungover on the Sunday...
3) Is the ride so good I should do it anyway and drink less? :)

Would be leaving sometime after work today so after 7pm'ish I guess for traffic. (if that makes a difference)

[skelstar]

Hmmm...not many replies for you bud. all the auckers must be out riding or something.

The one time I rode from Aucks to Rots I went through Clevedon (I think), Kawakawa Bay, ummm Paeroa, Te Aroha, then straight ahead all the way down the side of the Kaimai's (The Old Te Aroha Rd I think). Narrow little farm road but it was quick and straight! SH24, SH28 to Selwyn, then Tapapa and onto SH5 all the way to Rotorua. Wasn't too bad.

Hopefully some one comes up with something better as I am not local.