The most interesting way...

**Blakamin** · 16th September 2004, 10:56

Anybody know an interesting way to get to Hastings? I'm sick of the main highway...boooooorring.. just looking for an alternate route. will be by myself and I get about 200k out of a tank of fuel.

Cheers

Mike

**Slim** · 16th September 2004, 11:05

Head to your local AA office & pick up their awesome free (to members) maps for the areas you need. These maps show every road, no matter how minor, and you should be able to sort yourself out a route or various options for routes through the back roads running up either side of the ranges. I know there are some awesome roads once you get over onto the Eastern side of the Pahiatua Track, heading north.

**James Deuce** · 16th September 2004, 11:07

There are a whole bunch of backroads in the Wairarapa. If you go via Pongaroa and then to Dannevirke, it is a really interesting trip. Then you can use the 50 series highways to avoid the main highway.

**Hitcher** · 16th September 2004, 11:08

Gas up at Masterton. From Masterton head out on the road to Castlepoint. Just after you go over the river and past the concrete works, hang a left and head off to Alfredton. From their follow the signs to Pongaroa, Weber, Akitio and Waipukurau. There's a short stretch of gravel on this section but apart from that it's a stunning stretch of motorcycle road. Gas up again at Waipukurau and head off to Waipawa. Go right at the turn-off to Pourere. Follow that road for about 10km and then take the left-hand turn to Patangata (if you get to the Tukituki river bridge you've gone about 50m too far. At Patangata you have two choices: left down Middle Road which brings you to Havelock North; or right, over the Tukituki, up and over the hill to Ellsthorpe and round the northern end of Te Mata peak either to Havelock North or Hastings/Napier. Enjoy!

**James Deuce** · 16th September 2004, 11:09

Originally Posted by Slim

Head to your local AA office & pick up their awesome free (to members) maps for the areas you need. These maps show every road, no matter how minor, and you should be able to sort yourself out a route or various options for routes through the back roads running up either side of the ranges. I know there are some awesome roads once you get over onto the Eastern side of the Pahiatua Track, heading north.

Excellent idea! Pahiatua track, Mangamaire, Gas up at Pahiatua, SH2 turn off to Pongaroa, then on to Dannevirke.

**Blakamin** · 16th September 2004, 11:11

Cool...thanks for the ideas.... going to photocopy works maps now...

**merv** · 16th September 2004, 12:04

Another one worth looking at is take the turnoff North of Dannevirke just past Burglar Bill's food joint (they are into bikes there) to go via Matamau, Makotuku, Ormondville, Takapau, Hatuma and on to Waipuk via the road that kind of parallels the railway line. There are a few tricky intersections to watch for to make sure you take the through route at Makotuku and just past there is a left hand turn to make sure you are heading to Ormondville.

Being an ex-Hawkes Bay man myself I can vouch for all the routes Hitcher has recommended too.

**Blakamin** · 16th September 2004, 12:16

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Gas up at Masterton. From Masterton head out on the road to Castlepoint. Just after you go over the river and past the concrete works, hang a left and head off to Alfredton. From their follow the signs to Pongaroa, Weber, Akitio and Waipukurau. There's a short stretch of gravel on this section but apart from that it's a stunning stretch of motorcycle road. Gas up again at Waipukurau and head off to Waipawa. Go right at the turn-off to Pourere. Follow that road for about 10km and then take the left-hand turn to Patangata (if you get to the Tukituki river bridge you've gone about 50m too far. At Patangata you have two choices: left down Middle Road which brings you to Havelock North; or right, over the Tukituki, up and over the hill to Ellsthorpe and round the northern end of Te Mata peak either to Havelock North or Hastings/Napier. Enjoy!

That sounds good... the route so far...
Akatarawas, rimutukas... masterton, alfredton, weber, wimbledon, wanstead waipukurau, waipawa, patangata.... te mata peak.... i nearly forgot that was there!
drawn up on my photocopied map, laminate and tape to my tank!

Cheers Hitcher, and everyone else

**Pickle** · 16th September 2004, 13:23

Another good piece of road is just north of Paihiatua take the turn off to Pongaroa , couple of interesting corners for the unwary but really good.
if you get to the Tui brewery you have gone a couple of km's to far.

Be careful out the back of Dannevirke the roads are a bit cut up from the recent storms. there is only about 3kms of gravel now between Wimbledon & Porangahau from there to Waipuk is awsome, FAST.

**Blakamin** · 16th September 2004, 13:44

Originally Posted by doug green

Another good piece of road is just north of Paihiatua take the turn off to Pongaroa , couple of interesting corners for the unwary but really good.
if you get to the Tui brewery you have gone a couple of km's to far.

Be careful out the back of Dannevirke the roads are a bit cut up from the recent storms. there is only about 3kms of gravel now between Wimbledon & Porangahau from there to Waipuk is awsome, FAST.

Thanks for that!

where's the Tui brewery???? might have to go burn it down or sumfin