The last few kilometers were tar sealed earlier this year (2010) making this one of the must do roads in the country. Its quiet, apart from tourist traffic so pick your time, and offers spectacular views
This is arguably one of the best rides in Aotearoa/NZ. Definitely one of the best in Te Ika A Maui/North Island (Im a local, trust me). Its a wee ways to get to either Whakatane or Gisborne from Auckland (main international), but worth it. Most roads in NZ are windy and made for bikes, but this East...
This route has been well signposted in recent years and is much busier than it used to be. It still makes an excellent alternative to transiting Hamilton and will certainly save time as well as being much more interesting.
RIDE ALONG THE ENTIRE BEACH! It doesnt show a road on the map along the beach, but its a public road and you can ride from Ahipara to Te Paki Stream at the very north past Matapia Island. You can do this as a loop or there and back along the beach, which is pretty but also very straight and flat for...
Great route out to Whangamata over the top of the Coromandel Range. Tight twisty fast corners. Excellent sidewall workout. Part of a NZTA Safer Rides route.
This is a great run from Clevedon down the coast road towards Hauraki plains then on to Paeroa. Then through the Karangahape Gorge to Waihi. Beautiful and varied scenery all the way.
Forgotten World Hwy ...... Not much to say, just go ride it & find out for yourself, In my opinion its amazing, stunning views & awesome twisty bit of road .... Oh there are alot of twists & turns :)
The Gentle Annie Hill in the middle is narrow with very poor surface and steep but the rest of it is in good order and all tar seal (thats only recent in places so there are still quite a few loose stone chips)
No real worries about the police but youll be hard pressed to break the speed limi...
This 220km tour from Hamilton includes and optional trip to Raglan (where there are sand dunes and the Aotea Harbour)
The main route travels first south from Hamilton on SH39 a favoured route by local bikers instead of SH3, it is more twisty and with less traffic. At Waitomo we turn off and head we...
Kaipara to Leigh North Island ..., New Zealand April 13, 2013 - 4.0
This route can be broken up or done completely in a few hours. Dont bother with SH1 (main route between Wellsford and Warkworth), unless short of time. I couldnt get rid of the map line! A side trip to Tawharanui Beach is worthwhile, as is Goat Island Marine Reserve in Leigh. Plenty of corners and r...
This route is twisty in most places, and remote. Often no phone signal, but beautiful views and decent road surfaces with little traffic. Tourists can peel off for Kohukohu to catch the ferry across the Hokianga Harbour (beautiful), and continue on another amazing area of roads through Waipoua Fores...
Another nice circuit and Waiuku is pretty good for lunch spots. Make sure to stop at the top and walk up to the lighthouse (theres a clean public loo there too)
Apart from the north western motorway, this has a great share of undulating curves with a few reverse camber turns (great practice for novice riders to look through the turns). Very few traffic cops ... but be careful there is a speeding camera on Old North Rd. Ride safe guys and enjoy the Awesome s...
Starting just outside Stratford (south of New Plymouth) we take the famous State Highway 43 (known locally as the ‘Forgotten World Highway’). This road climbs through some rugged, beautiful countryside. About half way up the road is Hobbit’s Hole (a local name for the Moki Tunnel). After the t...
No real destination here, just a little trip into the woods for a change of scenery. This can be used to branch off onto other rural roads and explore the area with nearly non-existent traffic or cops.
Stunning views on good day (about 50km to each side on the ridgelines) stacks of twisties through to SH23. The local roading guys fix bad seal by covering it in gravel and letting the cars/trucks pack it in. A few days ago (4/1/2012) they had put out a sign warning of this - that's the first one Z...
A great weekend option to take HWY22 to Raglan from Auckland, and then do this ride the following day. If you are based in Raglan you can start from there and take in Waitomo Caves (world famous blackwater rafting) along the way. The route gives you a few options, but the less travelled road is not ...
Russell Backroad North Island ..., New Zealand January 25, 2012 - 5.0
As always in rural NZ the surface is a constant surprise. This route is only recently tar sealed and (on this occasion) still lots of gravel patches but they should clear quickly.
Outside of the holiday season I'd expect little traffic except locals so you'd need to be on the lookout. There w...
This is a very scenic ride with a good mix of twisties and open sections, no major hazards but watch out for black ice in the shady parts during winter.
As always in rural NZ the surface is a constant surprise. This makes a very nice alternative to the coastal route but only if you've already done that one.
The western route makes a great alternative to the main north-south route through the North Island. The roads are in generally good condition with wide sweeping bends. The main hazards are the logging trucks which can move surprisingly fast and consequent overtakers.
Great ride over Mount Messenger, and later on through the Tongaporutu gorge. Great scenery following the river, but look out for slips. As it is the main road north from New Plymouth there are a lot of trucks on the road, so you need to try to get past them before the interesting parts of the ride...
Now that this route is completely sealed it has to be a \"must do\" for the more adventurous and competent motorcyclist. The Whanganui River valley is spectacular and has a lot of history associated with it. Finish the ride down through the Parapara's and you will have had a great day! Warnings: Ce...
This takes you to the western most point of the North Island and the lighthouse with Mt. Taranaki in the background is a superb picture opportunity. With a couple of boutique breweries thrown in.
This can be done in a day with stops, OR go slow and stay in Bay of Islands or the Hokianga. Must visit Arai Te Uru in Hokianga just out from Omapere, also Waipoua Forest there (Tane Mahuta kauri tree). More traffic near Paihia but very quiet elsewhere. The route mapped is longer, but can be shorten...
This 430km twisty forest tour in the North part of the North Island starts and ends in Whangarei. It can be done in a day with stops, or over 2 days at a more modest. The route can be further extended easily by taking the ferry from Opua to Russel.
Head southwest from Whangarei on the 14, then join...