Auckland - Whangarei

**Lteejay** · 25th October 2007, 10:57

Might be heading to Whangarei next Friday. Will probably just head up SH1. There is a small stretch of windy road between Warkworth and Wellsford which is nice to ride, but dont know what the road from Wellsford to Whangarei is like - been a while since I went that way in a car and have never been past Wellsford on my Bike. Is it dead straight and boring or a mixture?

Or are there any other recommended routes from Wellsford to Whangarei that would suit a newbie who now has a bit of confidence and who's looking to take the next step in advancing their riding.

Thanks in advance (can you also please include approx riding times)

Cheers

**Usarka** · 25th October 2007, 11:22

Hang a right just past wellsford and do the route out to Mangawai / Waipu. Comes back to the straights heading into Ruakaka. Takes a while longer but much more fun

I'm pretty sure its signposted.

**The Pastor** · 25th October 2007, 11:29

yeah def go up through waipu, much much better,

And im not sure if it takes longer, if i had a fancy gps system i'd be able to tell ya, but since knowing that road its the only way I go now.

And by the feel of it it feels the same time either way, just more curves and less cars

**Lteejay** · 25th October 2007, 11:40

Actually I have been on that road to Mangawhai Heads once before.Might do that again and then just head back on SH1 the rest of the way.

**steveb64** · 25th October 2007, 12:11

Originally Posted by Lteejay

Actually I have been on that road to Mangawhai Heads once before.Might do that again and then just head back on SH1 the rest of the way.

Just be careful once north of the Brynderwyns (big hill, north of Dargaville turnoff) - the flat straight bits past Waipu, through Ruakaka, towards Whangarei are the local cops favourite hunting grounds. Often a speed camera hidden on side of road, or cops lurking around. Good place to practice RWR.

Have a nice ride.

**Lteejay** · 25th October 2007, 12:59

Originally Posted by steveb64

Just be careful once north of the Brynderwyns (big hill, north of Dargaville turnoff) - the flat straight bits past Waipu, through Ruakaka, towards Whangarei are the local cops favourite hunting grounds. Often a speed camera hidden on side of road, or cops lurking around. Good place to practice RWR.

Have a nice ride.

Thanks Mate - will look out for cops, although being a bit of a nanna I shouldn't have too much issue. RWR????? or am I being brain dead?

**steveb64** · 25th October 2007, 14:10

Originally Posted by Lteejay

Thanks Mate - will look out for cops, although being a bit of a nanna I shouldn't have too much issue. RWR????? or am I being brain dead?

Right Wrist Restraint!

**Lteejay** · 25th October 2007, 17:17

Ahaaaaaaaaaaa

**gijoe1313** · 25th October 2007, 19:24

Most excellent! Little ol'hornets love nothing better than being a little tickle on a pootle to parts unknown! It loves 10000 rpms through twisty bits and cruising it on the highways and byways

Hmmm too bad I be teaching sproglets in confined musty quarters on Friday! I would have joined you and made a mini swarm! Bzzzt!

Don't forget to wash and shine and polish your little ol'hornet before you do a ride out, loves being sparkly clean to show off!

And take piccies of said little ol'hornet parked up in some lovely scenic spot!

**Mom** · 25th October 2007, 19:29

Originally Posted by Lteejay

Actually I have been on that road to Mangawhai Heads once before.Might do that again and then just head back on SH1 the rest of the way.

SH1 is a very boring straight bit of road for the most part. If you want a bit of nice windy road to cruise along then take the Mangawhai route. I would caution the Mangawhai to Waipu road though, it gets really tight and twisty in places and the road condition last time I was through there was appalling. As an alternative, turn left when you get to Mangawhai Village, that is a really really lovely piece of road that takes you back to Kaiwaka. A huge detour but worth it. How long do you have for your trip? I can suggest another detour before the Brynderwyns that will also take you on some lovely country roads.

**geoffm** · 25th October 2007, 19:55

Take highway 16 from west Auckland to Wellsford (with a detour through Old North Road/ Peak rd if you wish), SH1 to Brynderwyn and turn right towards Dargaville to Papamoa. Take the Papamoa/ Oakliegh road - awesome road. It comes out near Portland, 20mins from Whangarei.
If you don't mind 2km of gravel, Snookes road connects up with roads runnign to Maungatapere and SH14 to Dargaville.
Take a good road atlas - lots of little roads where you can get lost easily.
G

**crshbndct** · 25th October 2007, 22:26

and when you get here - make sure you do the ngunguru-snakehill road and back to kamo loop

its good

and for some truly good roads, (well short good bits) head north, (via snake hill) and hang a right on the main road. then head for pigs head road - nice bit there used to be my daily commute in my mr2

**Reefer** · 25th October 2007, 22:40

Up old north. Turn off at West Coast Rd and through to Warkworth. About 2kms from Wellsford take the right turn (Waybe Station Rd) at the start of the passing lane. At the end of that rd, right then left (100mtrs), end of that will bring you to Mangawai Rd. Was sealed about 6 months ago. Agree with Mom, the run back to Kaiwaka is a great piece of road and you never know what is happening between Maungawai and Waipu. That would make a great day of twisties. Can give you a heads up on Waipu Rd next week if you like always a good excuse to ride that way

**Lteejay** · 26th October 2007, 06:47

Originally Posted by Mom

SH1 is a very boring straight bit of road for the most part. If you want a bit of nice windy road to cruise along then take the Mangawhai route. I would caution the Mangawhai to Waipu road though, it gets really tight and twisty in places and the road condition last time I was through there was appalling. As an alternative, turn left when you get to Mangawhai Village, that is a really really lovely piece of road that takes you back to Kaiwaka. A huge detour but worth it. How long do you have for your trip? I can suggest another detour before the Brynderwyns that will also take you on some lovely country roads.

I've got all day, so would love any suggestions

**Lteejay** · 26th October 2007, 07:26

Thanks Everyone - good suggestions

Trip so far
AKL>Warkworth>Mangawhai>Kawaka>Brynderwyn. Looks likes theres a few options after that.

Can anyone advise what SH12 is like from Brynderwyn all the way around through dargaville and looped back to Wangarei?

Originally Posted by geoffm

Take the Papamoa/ Oakliegh road - awesome road. It comes out near Portland, 20mins from Whangarei.

Is this road in good nick? I couldn't find papamoa on the map, but it looks like the road that leaves SH12 just before Matakohe?

Cheers