Unmissable NZ roads
Discussion
November is rapidly approaching. As some may know Lotus on Track is sending a squad of crack drivers down here in November 
Club Lotus (NZ) has kindly agreed to help out and sort the three track days out - Puke on the 12th, Taupo the 14th and Manfeild the 16th. Now all that remains is to plot the route. Bearing in mind that the WRC will be here towards the end of the trip - 9th to 20th.
The idea is to head north to start with, staying at Pahia for the first two nights to recover from Jet Lag before heading for Puke. As LoT's Kiwi rep down here I have the task of sorting out the route. Rather than attempting to reinvent the wheel if anyone has any suggestions for must drive roads I'd love to hear them. We want to try and catch some WRC action which will be taking place around the South Waikato area - so we need to end up there after Manfeild. Ideally I'd like to squeeze in the Coromandel. We'll be able to drive for a couple of hours at the completion of each track day so maybe it's possible. But I'm dribbling on now. So without further ado your favourite must drive roads from Manfeild to Cape Reinga...
Club Lotus (NZ) has kindly agreed to help out and sort the three track days out - Puke on the 12th, Taupo the 14th and Manfeild the 16th. Now all that remains is to plot the route. Bearing in mind that the WRC will be here towards the end of the trip - 9th to 20th. The idea is to head north to start with, staying at Pahia for the first two nights to recover from Jet Lag before heading for Puke. As LoT's Kiwi rep down here I have the task of sorting out the route. Rather than attempting to reinvent the wheel if anyone has any suggestions for must drive roads I'd love to hear them. We want to try and catch some WRC action which will be taking place around the South Waikato area - so we need to end up there after Manfeild. Ideally I'd like to squeeze in the Coromandel. We'll be able to drive for a couple of hours at the completion of each track day so maybe it's possible. But I'm dribbling on now. So without further ado your favourite must drive roads from Manfeild to Cape Reinga...
Edited by iwilson on Wednesday 21st June 22:59
Actually, Regina is at least an amusing error.Te Reinga must be the most mispronounced place name in NZ ( by us Kiwis) Most people call it Cape Rienga (ie REEE-enga) which drives me NUTS. It's reinga, reinga, reinga!!!! (so like ranger with a hard G)
Right, now I've put that straight, back to my fixation about (not) indicating...
Small minded? me??
Right, now I've put that straight, back to my fixation about (not) indicating...
Small minded? me??
Roger A said:
Actually, Regina is at least an amusing error.Te Reinga must be the most mispronounced place name in NZ ( by us Kiwis) Most people call it Cape Rienga (ie REEE-enga) which drives me NUTS. It's reinga, reinga, reinga!!!! (so like ranger with a hard G)
Right, now I've put that straight, back to my fixation about (not) indicating...
Small minded? me??
Right, now I've put that straight, back to my fixation about (not) indicating...
Small minded? me??
Pfft, you and your bloody maaari pronunciation... we all know that it's cape ree anga, and for that matter it's also parraparam and taaaupo ... you just need to get in touch with your maaari side mate
A few will be hanging on to carry on down south. It's a time thing. Personally I would take at least a month of work but most can't afford it, no school holidays etc. But if it turns out to be a great trip there's nothing to stop a repeat happening which would be focused on the South Island. You got ANY tracks worth mentioning south of the Cook straight?
iwilson said:
You got ANY tracks worth mentioning south of the Cook straight?
Ruapuna - Christchurch
Levels - Timaru
Teretonga - Invercargill
Thats about it as far as I know, but we have many many fun roads (which have been discussed on here plenty of times, so I won't bore you by repeating them) and much better scenery
The pass from Greytown to Christchurch that goes by Hanmer Springs is an absolutely stunning road although its probably blocked in at the moment. Is it the Lewis Pass? I can't remember myself. Its probably the best 2-2.5hrs drive I've ever done- I was in a crappy rental car and still loved every minute of it.
Going from Nelson to Westport to Greytown is fantastic as well, the scenery is just mind blowing. The road out to Akaroa from Christchurch would be a great fang as well if you could find a time when there wasn't slow traffic. The coast road either into or out of (or both?) Kaikoura kicks ass.
North Island, I've always wanted to take something sporty through the Paraparas on the road into Wanganui from National Park, its pretty snaky. The Lake Taupo Western Access Rd is alot of fun as well. The Kaimais are a personal favourite because I've been over them so fast so many times, not because they're particularly scenic. If you just want a cruise, driving from downtown Wellington out through Oriental Bay and around the heads, right round to the back of the airport is a nice drive as well.
Going from Nelson to Westport to Greytown is fantastic as well, the scenery is just mind blowing. The road out to Akaroa from Christchurch would be a great fang as well if you could find a time when there wasn't slow traffic. The coast road either into or out of (or both?) Kaikoura kicks ass.
North Island, I've always wanted to take something sporty through the Paraparas on the road into Wanganui from National Park, its pretty snaky. The Lake Taupo Western Access Rd is alot of fun as well. The Kaimais are a personal favourite because I've been over them so fast so many times, not because they're particularly scenic. If you just want a cruise, driving from downtown Wellington out through Oriental Bay and around the heads, right round to the back of the airport is a nice drive as well.
For good driving roads in the North Island that are also main routes or tourist routes you won't find many. Too many cars being driven at 80kph by anal arsewipes trying to save fuel, too many log and container trucks being punted at 110kph but falling over on the hills (You may have a 500hp engine sir but a 5% grade and 40 tons is not a speedy combination), not enough long sight lines to see a curve or to ahead plus miserable road surfaces. Note I'm talking driving roads, if you want scenery there is lots just not as spectacular as the South Island, which also has the great driving roads. Golden Bay, Oh yes! The roads heading inland from Nelson, the West coast, Southland, Otago, The scenic drive round Akaroa Harbour (left at the Hilltop, pedal down), the sealed road into Pigeon bay with 43 curves, Lotus 7 S4 ah memories, Lewis pass, Arthurs Pass, etc, etc sigh you lucky lucky bastards. The Kaikora coast road is magic scenery, but not a driving road as it is infested with effing Camper vans, trucks, 80kph limits and sod all passing places
I do the section from Auckland to Whangerai often usually via route 16 and it's stuffed since they sealed the middle bit. Good scenery but spoilt by the above. Example twerp in a VW Golf who I passed on the Hoteo River bridge (After I followed at 75kph for several centurys) Hells bells I'm 49 and holding, punting a Delicia Van with a center of gravity up near the top of Mount Cook and I passed at 100kph this newish Golf, driven by a 30 ish male, who disappeared rearwards like he was nailed to the ground. Do people have no pride!
That said there are a few nice driving bits, Turn off at Kumeu and take old North Road and it's continuations through to just before Kaukapapa. Not much traffic, good curves, resonable sight lines.
On Highway one stop at Topuni Base Nature just after Wellsford, great food, good prices. If you are not going out through Dargaville for the forests and the coast road Hokianga harbour etc, you can continue on Hwy one (DON'T stop to eat at the Skyline at the top of the Brynderwyns unless your taste buds were shot off in the war)and turn off to Waipu stop at the Pizza Barn for more great food and a beer or a wine. Carry on back to Hwy one via the short back road nice curves good sight lines and only the occasional tractor. Do not speed on Hwy 1 from the Bryderwyns to Whangerai. The place is thick with camera vans, police cars and unmarked cops, the lovely one is the van parked at the truck weigh station catching people who speed up to use the passing lane. You will probably see oncoming traffic flashing a warning, please return the favour, and stay alert.
If you have time and a current map, and don't mind the occasional stretch of gravel the are a lot of good driving roads but they all take you away and then back to where you want to go. Helmsdale road past Waipu heads inland, links to other roads finally heading North and is magic. Another alternative is to head to Dargaville on Hwy 12 but turn North at Paparoa and follow the roads North, great driving, reasonable sight lines and little traffic. You will need a large scale recent map.
Sorry a bit of a ramble. There is a lot of other good driving roads but tend to be out and back, such as Dargaville Pouto point and return, or add a heap of time to a trip
Cheers
Mark Stacey
I do the section from Auckland to Whangerai often usually via route 16 and it's stuffed since they sealed the middle bit. Good scenery but spoilt by the above. Example twerp in a VW Golf who I passed on the Hoteo River bridge (After I followed at 75kph for several centurys) Hells bells I'm 49 and holding, punting a Delicia Van with a center of gravity up near the top of Mount Cook and I passed at 100kph this newish Golf, driven by a 30 ish male, who disappeared rearwards like he was nailed to the ground. Do people have no pride!
That said there are a few nice driving bits, Turn off at Kumeu and take old North Road and it's continuations through to just before Kaukapapa. Not much traffic, good curves, resonable sight lines.
On Highway one stop at Topuni Base Nature just after Wellsford, great food, good prices. If you are not going out through Dargaville for the forests and the coast road Hokianga harbour etc, you can continue on Hwy one (DON'T stop to eat at the Skyline at the top of the Brynderwyns unless your taste buds were shot off in the war)and turn off to Waipu stop at the Pizza Barn for more great food and a beer or a wine. Carry on back to Hwy one via the short back road nice curves good sight lines and only the occasional tractor. Do not speed on Hwy 1 from the Bryderwyns to Whangerai. The place is thick with camera vans, police cars and unmarked cops, the lovely one is the van parked at the truck weigh station catching people who speed up to use the passing lane. You will probably see oncoming traffic flashing a warning, please return the favour, and stay alert.
If you have time and a current map, and don't mind the occasional stretch of gravel the are a lot of good driving roads but they all take you away and then back to where you want to go. Helmsdale road past Waipu heads inland, links to other roads finally heading North and is magic. Another alternative is to head to Dargaville on Hwy 12 but turn North at Paparoa and follow the roads North, great driving, reasonable sight lines and little traffic. You will need a large scale recent map.
Sorry a bit of a ramble. There is a lot of other good driving roads but tend to be out and back, such as Dargaville Pouto point and return, or add a heap of time to a trip
Cheers
Mark Stacey
Just back from Coromandel and I have to say, that road gives me a stupid grin every time !
I would pick the that road, then over the top to Whitianga down the coast to Waihi, back through to Paeroa, Ngatea, Miranda road to Auckland or Kaiua around the outside, through to Clevedon back in to Dorkland as the best driving within an hour half from the city.
Don't know much north but plan to check it out as & when we get days like today - so Mark you may get a call soon !
South though - heaps of back roads I know well, Ian that beer and a map will have to happen soon.....did a great drive from Te Kuiti, Mangakino, Whakamaru, Taupo and the other side of the lake down to Turangi and then of course over to National Park - but would need chain about now !! once that goes - she a great bit of road, but have to watch those little porkies hide in the under growth....there lots to more too.....but bed time - night all - Dean
I would pick the that road, then over the top to Whitianga down the coast to Waihi, back through to Paeroa, Ngatea, Miranda road to Auckland or Kaiua around the outside, through to Clevedon back in to Dorkland as the best driving within an hour half from the city.
Don't know much north but plan to check it out as & when we get days like today - so Mark you may get a call soon !
South though - heaps of back roads I know well, Ian that beer and a map will have to happen soon.....did a great drive from Te Kuiti, Mangakino, Whakamaru, Taupo and the other side of the lake down to Turangi and then of course over to National Park - but would need chain about now !! once that goes - she a great bit of road, but have to watch those little porkies hide in the under growth....there lots to more too.....but bed time - night all - Dean
Kiwi Le said:
...the best driving within an hour half from the city.
Do you really have to go that far from Auckland to find good (relatively empty) driving roads?
Really feel sorry for you if you do, some down here actually start within the city and just get better as you get away from civilisation, you can do a half hour or hour loop (or much more) of really fun roads from my flat, only spending 5 or 10 minutes of that drive in town.
I guess I take it for granted having grown up in a relatively small town, but hearing stories about jafaland sure makes me appreciate how good it is here.
[warm fuzzies]
Kiwi Le said:
Just back from Coromandel and I have to say, that road gives me a stupid grin every time !
I would pick the that road, then over the top to Whitianga down the coast to Waihi, back through to Paeroa, Ngatea, Miranda road to Auckland or Kaiua around the outside, through to Clevedon back in to Dorkland as the best driving within an hour half from the city.
I would pick the that road, then over the top to Whitianga down the coast to Waihi, back through to Paeroa, Ngatea, Miranda road to Auckland or Kaiua around the outside, through to Clevedon back in to Dorkland as the best driving within an hour half from the city.
I'll second that - cracking driving roads, and invariably deserted (but then who in their right mind is up at 6am on a sunday morning?).
Heres one of the nice Dunedin loops (a Tarmac one) - Highcliff road/Portobello road. You just follow the sad wee blue dots I put on it - the green ones are another fun bit through the middle that can be used as a shortcut or a long-cut, depending how you feel. that ones pretty steep, with a few tricksy hairpins.
P.S Its twistier than it looks on that map. which would be bigger, except photobucket decided to shrink it for me.
P.S Its twistier than it looks on that map. which would be bigger, except photobucket decided to shrink it for me.
Edited by GravelBen on Monday 26th June 09:58
Ok - thread hyjack, sorry off subject Ian but I'll make it up by sending the other good road names later.
I'm laying down a challenge here......Akatarawa Valley Road
Runs between Totara Park & Waikanae
Check - www.aamaps.co.nz/
I'm putting it up as the twist-est sealed road I have driven in NZ and close to the twistest I've ever driven - but that was in the back of Nice, France.....but anyway.
Anyone who lives in the Wellington area - you have to check this road out - its sick !!!
Maps don't do it justice - you have to drive it, I'm going to get a video of the best of it, which is the top 30% of the road heading north.
Ok back to subject.
I'm laying down a challenge here......Akatarawa Valley Road
Runs between Totara Park & Waikanae
Check - www.aamaps.co.nz/
I'm putting it up as the twist-est sealed road I have driven in NZ and close to the twistest I've ever driven - but that was in the back of Nice, France.....but anyway.
Anyone who lives in the Wellington area - you have to check this road out - its sick !!!
Maps don't do it justice - you have to drive it, I'm going to get a video of the best of it, which is the top 30% of the road heading north.
Ok back to subject.
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