Travelling through Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, 25-28 April

[bosslady]

Hi All, Nerrrd and I are travelling through Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Gisborne starting on Thursday morning (Anzac Day) in Auckland and returning (to Auckland) on Sunday late afternoon. The plan is to do some camping... we'll see how well that goes *looks nervously at the weather outside* Anyway... if anyone is keen to catch up with us a long the way/stalk us we'll be stopping at the following destinations (of course depending on what's happening, some of these are tentative!). And of course, if anyone is keen to come a long for a day, a night or the whole schlog - the more the merrier!

MAP: http://tinyurl.com/csdl35t

Day 1:

1. Meet at the Autobahn Cafe in Papakura, Thursday 25th at approx. 9:30am - Aim is to leave no later than 10am.
2. Thames, Waikato 81km
3. LUNCH - Star and Garter Hotel, Kapanga Road, Coromandel - have called them and they said they will be open at 12pm 54km
4. Whitianga, Waikato 42km
5. Whangamata, Waikato 76km
6. Waihi, Waikato 30km

Total: approx. 283km

Day 2:

1. Waihi, Waikato. Leaving ??? Depends how we feel I guess...
2. Te Puke, Bay Of Plenty (may stop at Browny's Brewery and Motorcycle Museum instead for breakfast if they're still open and do breakfast's, couldn't find their number...) 86km
3. Whakatane, Bay Of Plenty 67km
4. Opotiki, Bay Of Plenty 44km
5. Te Kaha, Bay Of Plenty 67km
6. Te Araroa, Gisborne 91km we may change this to Waihau Bay after reading some not so great reviews about accomm. in Te Araroa

Total: approx. 355km

Day 3:

1. Te Araroa, Gisborne. Leaving ???
2. Tokomaru Bay, Gisborne 79km
3. Gisborne 90km
4. Frasertown, Hawke's Bay 94km
5. Lake Waikaremoana, Urewera National Park, Hawke's Bay 50km Depending on how bad (or good?) the weather is, we may need to change our final destination and Day 4's travel plans!!

Total: approx. 313km

Day 4:

1. Lake Waikaremoana, Urewera National Park, Hawke's Bay. Leaving ???
2. Murupara, Bay Of Plenty 101km
3. Rotorua, Bay Of Plenty 62km
4. Matamata, Waikato 67km
5. Maybe a quick stop somewhere between for a stretch.
6. Autobahn Cafe Papakura, Auckland 132km

Total: approx. 362km

Also if anyone has any tips or ideas of things to see/where to go. I think we've got a sufficient amount of not so easy roads especially on the way to Lake Waikaremoana so we don't want to stress our wee brains out too much!

Chur!

[Maha]

A lot of gravel from Frasertown/Murupara...well, Te whaiti really...about 120kms of gravel.
I have worked at Ruatahuna a few times over the years and the locals use to say '' if you break down or get a flat tyre, don't leave your vehicle''.

[bosslady]

A lot of gravel from Frasertown/Murupara...well, Te whaiti really.

Yea, Nerrrd and I have had a bit of discussion over it after reading this thread http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...p/156077-Sh-38 that's why the final stop for the night on day 3 is tentative, depends how the weather is/how we feel! But, if we make it, we've decided that we both deserve multiple brewskies (and he's buying!).

[FJRider]

Looks like a good trip. Long range weather forecast looks good. Saturday might get a small amount of dampness though.

Sketch may need to clock up a few km's over the weekend ... if he wants to keep up with your mileage ... Send him a link to a GN on Trademe perhaps ..

[Blackbird]

You'll get a warm welcome at Coromandel Star and Garter. Karen, the owner, rides a Harley!

[bosslady]

Looks like a good trip. Long rang weather forecast looks good. Saturday might get a small amount of dampness though.

Sketch may need to clock up a few km's over the weekend ... if he wants to keep up with your mileage ... Send him a link to a GN on Trademe perhaps ..

Hahahaha cheeky!

You'll get a warm welcome at Coromandel Star and Garter. Karen, the owner, rides a Harley!

Really? gross.... haha just joking. Anyway yes I googled biker friendly pubs and they came up.

[duckonin]

A lot of gravel from Frasertown/Murupara...well, Te whaiti really...about 120kms of gravel.
I have worked at Ruatahuna a few times over the years and the locals use to say '' if you break down or get a flat tyre, don't leave your vehicle''.

Yep , now that is 100%. Spent a fair bit of time in the area myself...And beware of horses on the road edge/road not that you can go that fast. Past Rua you get to a side road that takes you to 'maungapohatu', to get caught, ' out of gas ect' in this area is trouble. I think, but you may need to check gas is still availible at the Ruatahuna store, but would cost you at least 1/2 a kilo of good green shit if needed.. Geat area to ride through tho, kick back and take your time ...Call in at the Hopurahine landing, 'after the Mokau landing', (DOC) Information stop worth a look, well it was 25years back...

[bosslady]

Yep , now that is 100%. Spent a fair bit of time in the area myself...And beware of horses on the road edge/road not that you can go that fast. Past Rua you get to a side road that takes you to 'maungapohatu', to get caught, ' out of gas ect' in this area is trouble. I think, but you may need to check gas is still availible at the Ruatahuna store, but would cost you at least 1/2 a kilo of good green shit if needed.. Geat area to ride through tho, kick back and take your time ...Call in at the Hopurahine landing, 'after the Mokau landing', (DOC) Information stop worth a look, well it was 25years back...

Is there no fuel around the lake?

[insomnia01]

Maraehako retreat @ Whangarua bay is a better choice over Waihau Bay or te araroa to stay, great host & certainly worth stopping at

[leathel]

Personally I would not be going through the long gravel stretch from Waikaremoana through as you will need to get in the loose stuff at times when holiday makers hoon through with boat trailers on, I have been in the drain a few times avoiding dickheads on that road. It would not be that much longer time wise to go down and cross 5 or back up 2 and across 30... not missing much missing out on Murapara

Last 4x4 run I was on a few of the boys got smashed windows on the gravel section near Ruatahuna... some locals were not to happy about them for some reason, Dont know they may have being going to quick??

I will be doing a Run thursday to run in a new tyre so may touch base at the Autobarn and tag along for a bit?? Depends on if I get the new plugs in etc on time.... Roses Ginny is almost ready for a run too... but wont be legal before then

[leathel]

Is there no fuel around the lake?

From memory the camp ground has fuel??

P.S. dont mean to knock that road too much but rain + slips and being its not at the start of the ride it could turn to custard if you are tired.... We got locked in with slips in January a couple of years ago

[bosslady]

Maraehako retreat @ Whangarua bay is a better choice over Waihau Bay or te araroa to stay, great host & certainly worth stopping at

Thanks I'll check it out. Originally thought te araroa motorcamp but the reviews made it sound a bit grotty.

Personally I would not be going through the long gravel stretch from Waikaremoana through as you will need to get in the loose stuff at times when holiday makers hoon through with boat trailers on, I have been in the drain a few times avoiding dickheads on that road. It would not be that much longer time wise to go down and cross 5 or back up 2 and across 30... not missing much missing out on Murapara

Last 4x4 run I was on a few of the boys got smashed windows on the gravel section near Ruatahuna... some locals were not to happy about them for some reason, Dont know they may have being going to quick??

I will be doing a Run thursday to run in a new tyre so may touch base at the Autobarn and tag along for a bit?? Depends on if I get the new plugs in etc on time.... Roses Ginny is almost ready for a run too... but wont be legal before then

Good idea, nerrrd and I might likely think on going through 5 and 30, we'll see how we feel but keep that option open for sure! I imagine we'll be well tired by then anyway. And yes tag along, more than welcome! Just remember it's the papakura autobahn so you'd have to get off at papakura then get back on heading south, so u can get to the autobahn. I'll send u my mobile number, let me know if you think you'll be there.m

[Grashopper]

Sounds like a great trip. Have fun.

Are you texting to someone where you are at, just in case?

[bosslady]

Sounds like a great trip. Have fun.

Are you texting to someone where you are at, just in case?

Dunno, maybe. Cell reception may lack at times.

[FJRider]

Dunno, maybe. Cell reception may lack at times.

Your planned route posted above will make it easy to track your movements, and stops. I'm thinking plenty will remember you (and a red GN)