Route advice (AKL -> WLG)

[CDFloss]

Hey folks. I'm flying to Auckland this week to fetch my new bike, and would like some advice on good routes to take when heading back? I'll probably stay the night in Taupo, and do the 2nd leg of the trip the next day, so I'll have a little time up my sleeve and don't want to just head straight down the motorway.

Cheers!

[Mumbles]

Depending on how you want to do it will depend on how you can get home.
I used to to the following its a nice ride.
Auckland - Ngaruawahia then turn off and head for SH 39 folow this to Otorohanga then to Te Kuiti, now hook onto SH4 and head for Taumarunui. then your off to Nation Park (still on SH4) head for Ohakune and drive down that road for a few kms and stop into the COLD KIWI (www.coldkiwi.co.nz) for the weekend.
then turn around head back to Ohakune and then turn left towards Raetihi and turn left back onto SH4 and down through the "para-paras" towards Wanganui. from Wanganui the ride is not so good lots of straight and crappy roads to bulls now you should know where you are and follow the roads home or

go through Palmerston north over the Pahiatua track and head to Greytown home over the Rimitakas (look around kiwi biker for some nice ways of doing this ride as I know where to turn just not the names)

should just about do it I think

[YellowDog]

Hey folks. I'm flying to Auckland this week to fetch my new bike, and would like some advice on good routes to take when heading back? I'll probably stay the night in Taupo, and do the 2nd leg of the trip the next day, so I'll have a little time up my sleeve and don't want to just head straight down the motorway.

Cheers!

What bike are you picking up?

[MikeL]

Auckland - Ngaruawahia then turn off and head for SH 39

If you want to avoid the boring Waikato Expressway, turn off the southern motorway at Pukekohe then head for Tuakau and get onto SH 22. One of my favourite roads!

[CDFloss]

What bike are you picking up?

A 2002 naked SV650. I've been without a bike for a month now so the withdrawal symptoms are setting in!

[Mumbles]

If you want to avoid the boring Waikato Expressway, turn off the southern motorway at Pukekohe then head for Tuakau and get onto SH 22. One of my favourite roads!

Yes the road i've never had the chance to do but heard alot about! Do this road too!!

[CDFloss]

If you want to avoid the boring Waikato Expressway, turn off the southern motorway at Pukekohe then head for Tuakau and get onto SH 22. One of my favourite roads!

Sounds good. I've saved myself a few options (in Google maps - thanks goodness for technology) so I'll make my mind up as I go, depending on weather and the time I end up leaving the airport. Thanks folks.

Man it is but pissing down here in Wellington - I hope this passes by mid week or it will be a miserable soggy ride.

[BigOne]

A 2002 naked SV650. I've been without a bike for a month now so the withdrawal symptoms are setting in!

Hey Mr Floss,
I had one of these for 6 yrs or so, and know them back to front, if you want to know anything, or would like help with some wrenching.
I also have some stuf you might be interested in, such as a set of steel braided brake hoses, a few sets of jets, mirrors, a mesh rad guard, and quite a bit more. PM me if you would like to.
(I live in Chch)

BigOne

[CDFloss]

Hey Mr Floss,
I had one of these for 6 yrs or so, and know them back to front, if you want to know anything, or would like help with some wrenching.
I also have some stuf you might be interested in, such as a set of steel braided brake hoses, a few sets of jets, mirrors, a mesh rad guard, and quite a bit more. PM me if you would like to.
(I live in Chch)

BigOne

Hey, thanks. I'll definitely give you a shout re some of that stuff you've got lying around. Cheers

[Devil]

Auckland --> Ngaruawahia (via SH22 if you wish).
SH39 to Otorohanga.
Right onto SH3 to Te Kuiti.
Left at the end of Te Kuiti onto SH30 (sign says to Taupo and Rotorua).
Just as you arrive at Whakamaru, turn right along SH32 (still says to Taupo).
10km down the road on the left you'll see a sign to Taupo, this is Poihipi rd, will take you past the Kinloch turnoffs and spit you out at the top of the hill into Taupo.

My prefered AKL --> Taupo route, just did it again on Sat.

Watch it in the damp though.

[Mystic13]

Auckland --> Ngaruawahia (via SH22 if you wish).
SH39 to Otorohanga.
Right onto SH3 to Te Kuiti.
Left at the end of Te Kuiti onto SH30 (sign says to Taupo and Rotorua).
Just as you arrive at Whakamaru, turn right along SH32 (still says to Taupo).
10km down the road on the left you'll see a sign to Taupo, this is Poihipi rd, will take you past the Kinloch turnoffs and spit you out at the top of the hill into Taupo.

My prefered AKL --> Taupo route, just did it again on Sat.

Watch it in the damp though.

Yep, there or through Paterangi, Te Awamutu, Owairaka Valley if you want to go to Taupo. But those roads before Taupo are pretty moss covered. I prefer 39, Taumarunui.

When heading South you can hop off at Rangiriri and go on the other side of the river skipping Huntly and Ngaruawahia and connecting with 39.


There are a fair few options because you can go East of SH1 from just over the Bombays, Kopuku, down the back of Te Kauwhata.

Should be a good ride.

[Crisis management]

Watch it in the damp though.

Take heed of this warning, slippery as shit in places, I was sliding all over SH22 yesterday.

Great ride tho and don't be scared of doing Akl - Well in one day, it's an easy 9-10 hours taking a scenic route.

Enjoy!

[grbaker]

Stay off SH1... its slow and boring.

Suggest coastly highway (SH2) to Tauranga then SH 36 to Rotorua (low traffic ) & then off to Taupo.

From Taupo the road to Napier is fun, after that a drag to Welly via the Rimi Hill.

Takes much longer than SH1... even better.

[rebel]

Akl-Ngaruwhaia-Te Awamutu-Whakamaru-Turangi (western side of Lake Taupo) then down to Wanganui, means you only have to put up with a couple hours of boredom between Wanganui and Wellington.
I can't recommend Te Awamutu - Turangi enough, fuck all traffic, just the odd logging truck.

[CDFloss]

Awesome - I've got a few routes mapped out, and will choose as I go depending on the weather and the time of day.

I'll definitely take it easy, esp if its wet. I was originally going to do it in one go, but only got a flight for mid-day, which means I'll be leaving Auckland early afternoon only.

Looking forward to it though. Might be interesting packing my bag tonight since I need to get my wet weather/winter gear in there (which is bulky), plus all my other crap. We'll get there eventually.

Cheers