martyyn 2 Report post Posted October 16, 2007 Some friends of mine from the UK are coming over for a week in November and they are going to hire a car from Auckland and drive down to Wellington then back up to Auckland. Without trying to see the entire North Island in 7 days with perhaps a maximum of 4/5 hours a day in a car, what sort of suggestions would you guys have for the trip ? A stop in Rotorua is a must (so they say) and they want to see Ruapehu too but everything else is fair game. So get your thinking caps on and suggest some journeys please. Id like them to see as much of 'typical' NZ as they can whilst not just bombing down the main routes. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StylesM5 0 Report post Posted October 16, 2007 OK, let's think about this. Must do's are 1. Coromandel 2. Rotovegas 3. Taupo 4. Central Plateau 5. Bay of Islands (although, had they planned to go up north?) Day 1, land in Auckland, travel around top of Coromandel through Coromandel Township, Whitianga and stay in Tairua or something. Day 2, travel to Rotorua via Whangamata, Tauranga, then to Ngongotaha via Pies Pa Rd then Rotorua. Day 3, Taupo and Central Plateau, stay in Ohakune. Day 4, Wanganui then Wgn via coast road. Day 5, back up through Mastrerton and Hawkes Bay, night in Napier. Day 6, back to Aucks. Day 7, BOI via plane! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
martyyn 2 Report post Posted October 16, 2007 Cheers Jock, thats just what Im thinking. Auckland, Coromandel, Rotorua, Napier, Wellington, Taupo, Auckland I just dont know if there are any alternative routes between those places that would be a much nicer drive than just state highways. They probably wouldnt notice much difference though ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StylesM5 0 Report post Posted October 16, 2007 Pyes Pa, Tauranga - Rotorua is a cool road, as is the one down to Wanganui from Ohakune. A goody also is the western access road around the west side of Lake Taupo though a bit difficult to get over to from Rotorua. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nic325i 0 Report post Posted October 16, 2007 Pyes Pa, Tauranga - Rotorua is a cool road, as is the one down to Wanganui from Ohakune. A goody also is the western access road around the west side of Lake Taupo though a bit difficult to get over to from Rotorua. Western Access is pretty easy to get to from Rotorua - head out of the south side of Rotorua (towards Taupo) then immediately turn right onto SH30 - this crosses SH1 and then heads straight to Whakamaru. Map here Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StylesM5 0 Report post Posted October 16, 2007 Western Access is pretty easy to get to from Rotorua - head out of the south side of Rotorua (towards Taupo) then immediately turn right onto SH30 - this crosses SH1 and then heads straight to Whakamaru. Map here Oh, too easy. Gotta be done then if they like driving. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kiwi535 538 Report post Posted October 17, 2007 ohakune to wanganui,actually going from the wanganui end,one of the best road signs in NZ Winding Road 52 kms Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
