Best Route from Akl to Napier?

[Lou Girardin]

Why are you all suggesting the straightest, most boring road in the Waikato?
He's on a bike.

[WRT]

The matamata straights are boring - I'd agree with you on that. Tahuna roads not tho.

[Madguitarist!]

I'm heading from AKL to Taupo-ish on xmas day (sat am)....when are you heading down?

I'm leaving early Sat morning, around 5 or 6am. I thot Xmas day was Sun??

[Madguitarist!]

Why are you all suggesting the straightest, most boring road in the Waikato?
He's on a bike.

hehehe.... thanks matey!

Not trying to break any speed records but would like some twisties action along the way......

[Madguitarist!]

It would seem there'd be a couple of Orklunders in Napier that weekend.... really keen to meet up with some locals and if possible, those Jaffas going there as well.

What would be a good time? I'll be there Sat afternoon - Tue morning. A coffee or drink would be cool!

[trumpy]

I drive Taupo/Auckland/Taupo every week and have tried a number of routes. From Auckland my usual route is left at Ohiniwai, right at Tahuna through to Morrinsville, go straight ahead at the roudabout, turn right on the road to Walton (signposted 3 to 4 kms out of town)follow that road to just before Walton and turn right down Landsdowne rd, than left on the continuation of Landsdown rd to Waharoa. Right to Matamata. Plenty of flowing twistys and hardly any straights (apart from Tahuna to Morrinsville). All good fun, tho more fun on a bike.

[Grumpy]

Auck down the west side of the Waikato river through Huntly to te Awamutu, then left at Kihikihi through the back road to Mangakino then across to Taupo.

I used to do the commute thing when I was still working in Auckland and this is by far the most enjoyable on 2 wheels. Bit further distance wise but less townships to travel through so a bought the same time wise. Great country through there.

[Lord Alster]

I'm heading from AKL to Taupo-ish on xmas day (sat am)....when are you heading down?

So which is it Xmas day or Sat am, We're heading for Taupo on Saturday but it's not Xmas day on my calendar.

[Madguitarist!]

So which is it Xmas day or Sat am, We're heading for Taupo on Saturday but it's not Xmas day on my calendar.

What time you leaving on Sat?

[mv.senna]

I'm leaving early Sat morning, around 5 or 6am. I thot Xmas day was Sun??

oops. bugger. shit. crap..... don't mind me, i'm blonde.
Geeze that was a lucky escape, no wonder the old lady got all excited when i said "see ya saturday".

[Pixie]

Ignore the advice from the "car drivers" do what Lou said

SH1 to rangiriri-over the one lane bridge-down the back rd through Huntly,ngaruawahia,te kowhai etc to te awamutu-kihikihi
turn off at kihikihi down through warepapa sth-mangakino-mokai
return to sh1 at the top of the hill nth of taupo.

You won't regret it

[trumpy]

Auck down the west side of the Waikato river through Huntly to te Awamutu, then left at Kihikihi through the back road to Mangakino then across to Taupo.

Totally agree. This is my usual route to and from Hamilton (from Taupo). Did this today, road is in good condition with no real "nasties" (loose gravel etc).

[Madguitarist!]

I'm expecting it to be a little showery, is this route ok in the wet?

[Lou Girardin]

I'm expecting it to be a little showery, is this route ok in the wet?

Yeah it's OK, road's in good condition. Just be a bit extra cautious past the lake south of Kihikihi. (I can't remember the name)
If you hate heights, stop on the bridge just before there and take a look over the side.