Originally Posted by
MarkW
Leave Auckland on Highway 16 to Wellsford, then up Highway 1 to Brynderwin where you turn left onto Highway 12. Turn right at Paparoa and take the diversion road back to Highway 1 at Oakleigh. Rurn left onto Highway 1 and continue north for a short distance, then turn left onto Otaika Valley Road and head for Maungatapere. Cross Highway 14 and take Mangakahia Road north to Opouteke Road which becomes Murray Road and then Tangowahine Valley Road. When you get back to Highway 14 turn right and go to Dargaville. 14 stops at Dargaville and becomes 12 again so head north through the Waipoua Forest (and yes, stop and look at the big tree!) before spending the night at Omapere.
Next day contine on Highway 12 for a few km, then left to Rawene and onto the vehicular ferry to Kohukohu. Then on to Kaitaia via Mangamuka and Highway 1 OR via the sealed back road through Broadwood and Herekino. Continue north from Kaitaia up Highway to Cape Reinga via the road or the beach. Having seen Cape Reinga head south and stop somewhere for the night in the Far North - Houhora/Pukenui.
Continue south on Highway 1, then left onto Highway 10. Call into my place for a coffee and then continue on 10 towards Kaeo. Just before Kaeo turn left and do the coastal road to Matauri Bay and then complete the loop to return to Highway 10. Continue south and turn left onto Highway 11. Find a nice place to stay in Paihia and do an afternoon trip through the Bay of Islands and the Hole in the Rock. Give the bike the afternoon off!
On your last morning go to Opua and catch the ferry towards Russell, turning right to take the Old Russell Road down the Coast eventually ending up back on Highway 1. Turn left onto Highway 1 and head south. If time permits turn left at Hikurangi and ride through Matapouri and Tutukaka to get to Whangarei. Back onto Highway 1 heading south. Turn left to go through Waipu and Mangawhai, Te Arai, Waiteitei and back onto Highway 1. Then join the crawl back to Auckland City from just south of Wellsford.
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