Coastal Wairarapa route suggestions?

**reofix** · 5th November 2011, 21:04

Heading out of the waikato to explore coastal wairarapa for a week... looks like lots of backtracking (according to the maps) but just wondering if any of you have some interesting byways to avoid the dreaded backtrack. Not too gnarly mind... We will be on luggaged up BMW 1200's ... All suggestions welcome ..Experienced riders

**buggsubique** · 5th November 2011, 21:32

Drop Bart a PM, he's got a few notes tucked away I think...

**bart** · 6th November 2011, 16:17

I know most of the back roads around Southern Hawkes Bay/ Northern Wairarapa, so can certainly help out. I doubt you'd need a week though.

**blackdog** · 6th November 2011, 17:34

I've got a phone number for this really dirty girl I met in Lake Ferry. Oh hang on sorry... different sort of root.

**White trash** · 6th November 2011, 17:58

Originally Posted by blackdog

I've got a phone number for this really dirty girl I met in Lake Ferry. Oh hang on sorry... different sort of root.

Bet she was into the backtracking too...........

**reofix** · 6th November 2011, 19:20

Bart ... We have a bit of a scenic route planned for the way down and the way home.. So maybe 4 days in Wairarapa .. Interested to see if we can find a coastal route where none is shown on the maps. Any suggestions?

Probably need to careful backtracking down that way .. Sounds like the locals could be packing!

MD · 6th November 2011, 20:14

I am not a gravel road sort of rider these days, being allergic to dust on my bike. But from the few I have done in the Rapa I recommend.

1. Riversdale. A stunning beach settlement- there is a gravel road just behind the settlement that takes you south along the coast. Cuts inland up a valley over forestry roads and pops out on a beaut bit of seal that gets you to the famous Water Tower/Cliff hanger hill climb road. A good days loop.
2. Tora. Discovered this today. Just 2 minutes out of Martinborough, heading towards Lake ferry you turn left. Signposted Tora and White rocks. Fast seal bit takes you to wind turbines and onward for 20 minutes. This is where I usually stop, when the seal runs out. Three of us got curious today and explored the gravel to Tora beach. Picturesque spot with an old ship wreck and surfers. And sheep of course. Well worth a look.

**bart** · 6th November 2011, 21:22

Originally Posted by reofix

Bart ... We have a bit of a scenic route planned for the way down and the way home.. So maybe 4 days in Wairarapa .. Interested to see if we can find a coastal route where none is shown on the maps. Any suggestions?

Probably need to careful backtracking down that way .. Sounds like the locals could be packing!

There are a few tracks that follow the coast, but most are on private property. There are quite a few big stations. Some are bike friendly, some are not. It's a fairly rough coastline, and to do it on public roads will require going inland quite a bit. This isn't a big hardship, because most of the roads are awesome.

I'll do a google map thingy over the next couple of days.