Auckland to Wellington - Best Route?

**MaxCannon** · 27th August 2012, 12:55

Having never been to Wellington it's always been an idea lurking in the back of my mind to ride down one weekend and see what the fuss is about.
I've just had an invite for a weekend away and the suggestion I grab some cheap flights and head down for a few days.

Planes are boring - bikes are cool so I'm going to suggest I ride (I reckon two tanks of fuel should get me there).
Distance riding doesn't faze me and the BMW is comfy beast.

Anyone got suggestions for the best route? Would like to avoid the main drag where I can, but still get there in a reasonable time.

**Quasievil** · 27th August 2012, 13:52

Pukekohe, State 22, TeAwamutu, Western By Pass, Desert road (its nice with the mountain there) Backroad to Feilding (cant remember the name, is it vinegar hill?) Palmerston, shannon, Levin, Pie cock Hill (however you spell it)

That would be my pick !

**Gremlin** · 27th August 2012, 15:34

Originally Posted by MaxCannon

Anyone got suggestions for the best route? Would like to avoid the main drag where I can, but still get there in a reasonable time.

Well the hard part is the balancing act between time spent and best road... East Cape after all is a very nice ride...

https://maps.google.co.nz/maps?saddr...&via=1&t=m&z=7

This is probably a speed biased option, but still a good ride. I'd also think about which roads you have or haven't done. I tend to get out of the city quickly, SH22 you can ride any day, then spend more time in the country.

There's so many options, simply pick something, then do a different road the next time

Otherwise tell us what you have or haven't done...

**CRM** · 27th August 2012, 16:28

Originally Posted by Gremlin

Well the hard part is the balancing act between time spent and best road... East Cape after all is a very nice ride...

https://maps.google.co.nz/maps?saddr...&via=1&t=m&z=7

This is probably a speed biased option, but still a good ride. I'd also think about which roads you have or haven't done. I tend to get out of the city quickly, SH22 you can ride any day, then spend more time in the country.

There's so many options, simply pick something, then do a different road the next time

Otherwise tell us what you have or haven't done...

yep that's my favourite way to Wellington - except I turn right at Glen Murray and go on the other side of the Waikato to avoid all the boring car-filled bits around that area - join up with your map at Ngaruawahia. I reckon this route is the quickest way to Welly on a bike as it avoids a lot of traffic and it's mostly fast but interesting roads.

**Gremlin** · 27th August 2012, 17:16

Originally Posted by CRM

yep that's my favourite way to Wellington - except I turn right at Glen Murray and go on the other side of the Waikato to avoid all the boring car-filled bits around that area - join up with your map at Ngaruawahia. I reckon this route is the quickest way to Welly on a bike as it avoids a lot of traffic and it's mostly fast but interesting roads.

Ah yes, forgot about that. Turn right as you head south, just before Rangiriri (left hand bend), across a one way bridge, it comes out at Ngaruawahia.

My usual route south is the more boring SH2-27-1, but I'm on a tight time schedule. Been meaning do the SH4 route some time to compare times. If I don't have a time schedule the route is far less direct, takes 2 days and about 1000km

**BMWST?** · 27th August 2012, 22:24

be careful of SH4 Raetihi To Wanganui if its wet,esp if you see a brown sheen on the road(can be very slight) slippery it is

**dogsnbikes** · 27th August 2012, 22:36

SH4 Raetihi To Wanganui has been in great condition lately have done that road more than half a dozen times in the last four weeks,

But Gremlins route is one of my favourites with the addition of SH22

**MaxB** · 28th August 2012, 00:14

Since you not been to Wellywood before what about a mix of SH1 and back roads?

Down SH1 then turn on to SH1B to Cambridge.
After Cambridge turn off SH1 at Karapiro and head to Whakamaru (Horahora Rd becomes Arapuni Road before the Old Taupo Road turn)
Then run down the Western Acces Road across to Turangi.

From Turangi you then have the choice to choose 47 which takes you out to SH4 and the Wanganui way or pick up SH1 again.

If you pick up SH1 then turn off at Vinegar Hill then bypass Palmy and head out to Shannon and pick up SH1 yet again.

From Levin down SH1 is a real yawnfest.

This way is a mixture of boring and fun.

**MaxCannon** · 28th August 2012, 09:53

Thanks guys, looks like some good info there.
I'll spend a bit time of with Google maps also.
I might try heading down one way and heading back another.