Northland touring suggestions?

[backinthesaddle]

The wife and I are looking at heading (two up) to Cape Reinga January next year after we've done the Chateau to Plateau again, so will be heading up via the west coast from New Plymouth.
Anyone know of some must roads to be done (sealed) that may enhance our trip? We are virgins to that side of the island.

[Gremlin]

Ride up the west coast past Dargaville to Opononi, you'll go through the Waipoua Forst (thats a really good thing )

Hell, even SH1 further north, going through the Mangamuka Gorge, is fantastic.

Its a given that you'll need to ride to the Lighthouse... I believe its sealed all the way now

[Gizzit]

Yeah I second that idea Gremlin ...

From Auckland, ride up SH1 through Warkworth, (actually you kind of bypass the township on the main road - but it's no drama), Wellsford, Kaiwaka, and then several K's past Kaiwaka, turn left off SH1 onto SH12 to Maungaturoto, Paparoa, heading up through Ruawai to Dargaville. Between Dargaville and Waipoa forest, a good reasonably short side trip isto visit Kai-iwi Lakes, and then carrying on via SH12, up the west coast through the Waipoa forest, Opononi, to Kaikohe, then continue on SH12 to SH1. From there turn left and head via Omapere & Okaihau, up SH1 which will eventually take you over the Maungamuka range, to Kaitaia.
The Maungamuka gorge is an entertaining hill ride, with miles of twists and turns. That will take you up to Kaitaia.
From there it's up to the cape via Awanui, etc.

Having been to the cape, and when you come back down to Awanui, instead of going back to Kaitaia, turn left onto SH10, and head down the east coast road via Coopers Beach, Mangonui. To visit the Mangonui township, you turn left off SH10, to the village and you can ride through it, and then rejoin the SH10 on the south end of the township. It's worth the detour, and has an excellent Fish & Chip shop, over the waters edge.
From there continue on down SH10 via Kaeo, towards KeriKeri, which is a very short detour off the main drag.

When you come back out from KeriKeri township, to the main road again, turn left and head down to Puketona Junction. Here you can turn left and head to Waitangi/Paihia. That's worth a visit if you haven't been there before, and you can carry on, on SH11. SH11 will bring you out onto SH1 again, at Kawakawa.

If you don't want to detour into Waitangi/Paihia, at Puketona Junction keep on going south and rejoin SHI, then keep on heading down via Moerewa to Kawakawa, and then to Whangarei, and south to Wellsford, etc, to Auckland.

You will have covered the North pretty thoroughly via that route, and seen a bit of our scenery along the way.
There are just loads of top beaches up here, if you want to take your time, and venture out off the main drag, but it depends on how much time you have, and what you are looking for.

Have fun !!

[phill-k]

Bloody good reply Gizzit, but how about via Paihia to Opua over on the vehicular ferry into Russel for a beer or coffee then down the old Russel Road, out onto SH1 then into Hikurangi take the road out to the Tutukaka coast, and to Whangarei. Fantastic views on both and great twisties

[spacemonkey]

Around Whangarei if you felt like a side trip, Abby caves rd, Mt Tiger rd and the Whangarei heads road out to Ocean beach is an old fave of mine from when I lived out at Parua bay.

[Hitcher]

Dargaville to Kaikohe via Twin Bridges is a must-do ride. Northland has many hidden treasures in the way of motorcycling roads. This is one of them.

Rawene to Kaitaia via Broadwood and the Herekino Forest is another.

[Mom]

From Auckland, ride up SH1 through Warkworth Have fun !!

The rest of your post was not too bad but this seriously sucks! Take State Highway 16 north of Auckland (it starts at the top of the North Western Motorway and travel to Wellsford. Now sad as it maybe that you will bypass my little town in the country, SH16 is a far nicer ride than the boring exceed 100kph and dieway (SH1) from Auckland to Wellsford

Dargaville to Kaikohe via Twin Bridges is a must-do ride.

This is one of the yummiest biker roads indeed! Lots of those lovely rolling curves and some interesting twisty bits to boot, highly recommended.

[Gizzit]

The rest of your post was not too bad but this seriously sucks!

Ok ... fair enough. I'm not as familiar with that end, just up my way more ...
I was only making a suggestion for them .... on the bits I know. I thought others would have plenty of other ideas. It gives them some ideas about where they might like to go .... It depends on how much time they have, and where they want to stop off. There are heaps of good rides up here, and down your way I'm sure

Take State Highway 16 north of Auckland (it starts at the top of the North Western Motorway and travel to Wellsford. Now sad as it maybe that you will bypass my little town in the country, SH16 is a far nicer ride than the boring exceed 100kph and dieway (SH1) from Auckland to Wellsford



This is one of the yummiest biker roads indeed! Lots of those lovely rolling curves and some interesting twisty bits to boot, highly recommended.

Totally agree about the twin bridges ride !! Just on the route I suggested, I wasn't sure how to incorporate it, and still see the other bits ....

And mine are only suggestions .... as I think they asked for ... I don't claim to know all the good rides up my way ......

[Laava]

Murray Rd/Opouteke rd from Tangowahine to Pakotai.
The Matauri Bay loop Rd from Whangaroa south or vice versa.
Pataua from either direction, discreetly over the footbridge[Shhhh!] and round the rest of the loop.
Absolutely do the old Russell Rd.
Thursday night ride from Whangarei, Maunu Rd is very sociable!
Anyway PM us if you want to catch up for a ride and or beer etc.

[backinthesaddle]

Thanks for all the suggested routes everyone. Definitely some good info there to plan our trip on......if only I had more than 7 days. Always good to get info off fellow bikers who appreciate a good riding road to the destination.
CHEERS:

[liljegren]

just a word of warning, there are still two unsealed sections about five kms each near the Cape. Reason being, this section of road will absorb the total Northland roading budget for the next 23 years, so the folks dont want to finish too quick and be out of a job!! Apparently we need faster traffic jams in Dorkland, so they get all the money. Also, the new gun emplacement(bogs)aare now open for business. Although eating and drinking at the carpark at the cape are now not allowed because the place is tapu, you will greatly relieved to know that you can still have a crap. How does that work? Great ride tho, heaps of feds north of Kaitaia. Go well.

[tate35]

Kai Iwi Lakes, Dargaville....is my suggestion. There is also a beach that is not far from there - absolutely breathtaking... but can not remember the name of it. It's been about 5 years since I was up there (normally camping with friends) but anywhere up north would be magic especially traveling up2....memories to last forever

[george formby]

Kai Iwi Lakes, Dargaville....is my suggestion. There is also a beach that is not far from there - absolutely breathtaking... but can not remember the name of it. It's been about 5 years since I was up there (normally camping with friends) but anywhere up north would be magic especially traveling up2....memories to last forever

That would be Bayley's Beach. I love living up here!

[Gizzit]

Kai Iwi Lakes, Dargaville....is my suggestion. There is also a beach that is not far from there - absolutely breathtaking... but can not remember the name of it. It's been about 5 years since I was up there (normally camping with friends) but anywhere up north would be magic especially traveling up2....memories to last forever

Agreed !! The Kai Iwi Lakes are great !! Nice camping there in Summer too.

[geoffm]

Ride up the west coast past Dargaville to Opononi, you'll go through the Waipoua Forst (thats a really good thing )

Hell, even SH1 further north, going through the Mangamuka Gorge, is fantastic.

Its a given that you'll need to ride to the Lighthouse... I believe its sealed all the way now

As of a month ago when I was up there in the camper, it is well on the way to being sealed, but there is around 10km of really, really bumpy roadworks at the Cape end.
Geoff