Auckland to Wellington - which way? time sensititve

[tigertim20]

Need to ride a motorcycle from Auckland to Wellington on Saturday.

Arriving Auckland 8am, pickup bike, head to Wellington. Looks like interislander ferry crossings are departing wellington at 5pm and 830pm.

looking for suggestions on the best route to take, and estimated travel time to get the ferry.

any suggestions would be great

[jellywrestler]

Need to ride a motorcycle from Auckland to Wellington on Saturday.

Arriving Auckland 8am, pickup bike, head to Wellington. Looks like interislander ferry crossings are departing wellington at 5pm and 830pm.

looking for suggestions on the best route to take, and estimated travel time to get the ferry.

any suggestions would be great

through taumaranui raetihi wanganui, quicker than state highway one and less trucks and shit, generally the drivers have a higher level of competance too

[Madness]

through taumaranui raetihi wanganui, quicker than state highway one and less trucks and shit, generally the drivers have a higher level of competance too

+1, assuming you're not going to limit yourself to 105km/hr. Jump over the Waikato at Rangiriri and back-road it through to Ngaruawahia for an extra gain.

[tigertim20]

with these routes would I hit the 5pm ferry, or better to play safe and hit the 830 crossing?

and yes, I will be taking my own, good quality tie downs for the ferry!!

[tigertim20]

google reckons 630km, 8 hours, 4 minutes.
How conservative is a google maps estimate?

If i do the deal and leave by 9am id only be getting to wellington at 5 as the ferry is leaving.

Looks like best bet is to take the 830 sailing and take my time?

[Madness]

If your flight into Auckland Airport is scheduled to arrive at 8am I'd suggest go with the later sailing. Weather forecast looks a bit sketchy and you know, Auckland.

[tigertim20]

+1, assuming you're not going to limit yourself to 105km/hr. Jump over the Waikato at Rangiriri and back-road it through to Ngaruawahia for an extra gain.

If your flight into Auckland Airport is scheduled to arrive at 8am I'd suggest go with the later sailing. Weather forecast looks a bit sketchy and you know, Auckland.

cool, have gone with the later sailing.

Wont be twisting the throttle too much - new bike, unfamiliar roads and probably drizzly weather - not ideal circumstances for a fun-paced ride

[EJK]

Wise choice.

And from what I remember check-in close time for vehicles is one hour before departure. So if departure time is 8:30pm then it'd be ideal to be in line ready for check-in by 7pm just to be safe.

11 hours from Auckland terminal to Wellington harbor... Not bad I think.

[Moi]

Where are you picking up the bike?

If airport, then onto south-western (SH20) via Puhinui Rd (SH20A), follow that onto Southern (SH1) onto Waikato Expressway. Either off SH1 at Rangiriri or at Taupiri for Ngaruawahi and then western route through to Otorohanga - you pick up SH39 just south of Te Kowhai.

Good cafés in Pirongia. Think of fueling stops down this route.

Otorohanga south to Te Kuiti (SH3) and left at Eight Mile Junction for Taumarunui on SH4 ** No fuel between Te Kuiti and Taumarunui and no cell coverage either. Follow SH4 through National Park and down to W(h)anganui. The Paraparas have no fuel after Raetihi and, again, cell coverage iffy. Then south to Wellywood.

You'll make slow time until south of Drury on the Southern - road surface through Takanini area is appalling due to road construction and after Botanic Gardens/Hill Rd overpass stay in middle lane of three lane section to avoid the forced left lane exit at Takanini.

Google map: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/-37....a54e01!1m0!3e0

[jellywrestler]

So if departure time is 8:30pm then it'd be ideal to be in line ready for check-in by 7pm just to be safe.

you sound like a bit of a worry wart, 1/2 an hour isn't even cutting it fine these days, especially n a bike which can be squeezed in pretty well anywhere

[buggerit]

What bike are you getting?, sounds like a good pre summer adventure, good luck wih your trip will keep an eye out for ya.

[BMWST?]

if its wet and drizzly the parapara may not be the best chouce on a unfamilair bike can be very slippery through there.
I would seriously consider sh1 except go west side lake taupo

[EJK]

you sound like a bit of a worry wart, 1/2 an hour isn't even cutting it fine these days, especially n a bike which can be squeezed in pretty well anywhere

I dunno, just a habit.

[slofox]

if its wet and drizzly the parapara may not be the best chouce on a unfamilair bike can be very slippery through there.
I would seriously consider sh1 except go west side lake taupo

Wot 'e said. Specially west side of the lake.

[Drew]

At legal speeds, highway 1 is the quickest way to do it these days. 1b to miss Hamilton.