Cape Reinga

[Yarg]

Have just returned from a trip to Cape Reinga and thought I would pass on the following to any one else who may interested.

Left Auckland late afternoon on friday and overnighted at the Ranui lodge motel at Mangonui. Cheap clean & biker friendly. Ate at the Mangonui pub - huge T bone steaks for $20. Breakfast at the Big River cafe (Good Food) at Awanui then headed to the Cape.

The last 21km of this road is gravel but its not too bad, just go earlish to avoid the tour buses.Returned to Kaitaia and then back down Highway 1 towards Kaikohe (a good bike road and little traffic, specially thru the windy george) the back to Auckland.

Waved to all the bikes we passed , and all returned the waves except for twoo Harleys and  a BMW. Also acknowledged all cage drivers who pulled over to let us pass.

Back to work & look forward to the next little trip.

GD

[Slim]

There's some nice roads up that way. The only problem with the gorge you're talking about, is that it melts during the summer!

Next time, take the turn off south of the gorge & catch the ferry across the harbour to head down the coast through the Kauri forests & Dargaville. Good stuff.

[Yarg]

Silm, already done the ferry twice so need a change. If time had permitted we woyuld have done the twin bridges road from kaikohe to Portland but time was short. Next Time.

GD

[georgedubyabush]

Originally posted by Yarg
Silm, already done the ferry twice so need a change. If time had permitted we woyuld have done the twin bridges road from kaikohe to Portland but time was short. Next Time.

GD

Went through that way yesterday and I find it the quicker way on a bike, without excessive speeding on SH1 that is. You go straight ahead at Portland take Otaika Valley Road and you come out south of Whangas completely and miss all the go slow zones. An arse load of road works however. About 3 cages only and 1 cbr coming the other way the whole trip.

Was in Mangonui Saturday too with the missus on the kz650 for a fat boys lunch at F&C shop. Followed your tracks by the sounds, but not right up the top. Checked out the gutted out Marlin Hotel at Whangaroa. Had a coffee at Big river as there is NOWHERE in Kaitaia. Back through Mangamuka Gorge. They arent kidding when they have an 'uneven surface' sign out are they?

[What?]

There is another motel down the end of the road past the Ranui, right on top of the hill above the wharf. Also cheap(ish), clean and biker friendly. It is also 25 years past due for an upgrade, but the view makes up for it.