Routes, Sub-routes, and Points of Interest

Route A :  Auckland to National Park, via Otorohanga

Rangiriri			Rangiriri Pa historic site (Te Wheoro Rd, off SH1, north of village), and 
			boardwalk;  historic cemetery in the village.  Across the Waikato River 
			bridge, the Rangiriri-Huntly section of Te Araroa Walkway begins, and
			is well worth a look and a walk for as long as you have time.	

Ohinewai		Junction of SH1 and Tahuna Rd.  This also gives access to Lake Waikare.

Huntly			On the east side of the town, Lake Hakanoa is circled by a 4km good quality
			walkway.  Start at the Yacht Club car park.

Taupiri			Taupiri Mountain Walkway (90 min return).  Park at Taupiri Tavern.
			Keep clear of the sacred land of the cemetery.

Ngaruawahia		“The Point” is a reserve between the town and the Waikato and Waipa
			Rivers Junction. Heritage Trail (1500m) gives Kingitanga, Land Wars,
			and other, historical information. 
			Hakarimata Reserve, just north of the town, on the west side of the Waikato
			River, has three very good bush walks, including some fine rimu and kauri.
			 
Hamilton		Really good Hamilton Gardens (58ha) with special features and good
			tearooms; shops and cafes; museum; St Peter’s Cathedral (historic site); 
			MV Waipa Delta river trip.

Te Awamutu		Museum is oldest in Waikato with fine collections, from Tangata Whenua,
			to Land Wars and settlements, to Tim and Neil Finn; “Rose Town’s” famous
			gardens; Old St John’s Church (Land Wars Garrison); Yarndley’s Bush, 3 
			kms north, on Ngaroto Rd, off SH3, is 14 ha of Kahikatea and other bush.

Otorohanga		Everyone should visit the Kiwi House, (signposted, minutes from north end). 
			“Kiwiana” is also alive and well, in the interesting main street.  Good cafes.

Te Kuiti			Numerous places of interest, on the Town Trail.  Get a map, and pamphlets,
			from the Visitor Information Centre, on the main street.  For gardeners, 
			“King Country Gardens” details 12 lovely, private, gardens, open for visits.
			Mangaokewa  Track, 5kms east, along SH30, and Mapara Track, (1-hour 
			each) on Mapara South Road, (via Kopaki Road, which joins SH30 and SH4, 
			15kms south-east of Te Kuiti), are worth a visit.  Kokako heard, and maybe
			seen, at Mapara, if you are lucky.  Brook Park, in Te Kumi Rd, has walks and 
			other  activities.  Omaru Falls, 15kms south-east from Eight-Mile Junction, 
			on Omaru Rd, off SH4, a one-hour return walk, are also worth a visit.

Taumarunui		Jet boating or kayak hire on Whanganui River; golf; 

Owhango		Walk from 10 minutes to 2 hours in Ohinetonga Reserve, via river, bush and 
			lagoon, (west side of Whakapapa River); or into Tongariro Forest Park, via
			the bridge over the river, by walking or quad-bike tour.

National Park/		Gateway to The Chateau/Whakapapa, and Ohakune/Turoa.  
   The Chateau/		Walks of any length, waterfalls, quad biking, mountain biking, fishing, river 
Whakapapa/		rafting and kayaking, climbing, you name it - even skiing and snowboarding!
    Ohakune		Go to www.nationalpark.co.nz, and info@visitruapehu.com, for	
			information and brochures on the great many activities and attractions. 

Sub-route A (i) :  from Collision Crossroads, via Port Waikato, Limestone 
Downs, Waingaro, Raglan and Whatawhata

	Leave SH1 at Bombay/Collision Crossroads, take Pukekohe road, then the Tuakau turnoff.
	(Alternatively, leave SH1 at Pokeno, for Tuakau).  Then follow the signs, to Port Waikato.
	After visiting Port Waikato, head south, to Limestone Downs, then via Te Akau, to Dunmore
	then Waingaro, to Ngaruawahia.  Alternatively, from Waingaro, follow the signs to SH23 and
	Raglan, and then return to  Sub-route A (ii), at Whatawhata.

Port Waikato		Ocean beach, with Sunset Beach Surf Club, and Waikato River estuary.

Limestone Downs	Outstanding limestone outcrops.

Waingaro		Hot pools, including swimming pool, etc, and accommodation.

Raglan			Famous surf beach, pleasant village, harbour trips, museum, Bridal Veil Falls

Sub-route A (ii) :   from Ngaruawahia via Whatawhata and Pirongia, to Otorohanga

	At the BP service station, at the south end of town, turn right, across the railway, then
	immediately left.  At the end of the street, veer right, for Te Kowhai and Whatawhata.

Pirongia			Historic Land Wars village, with marked walk.  Cafes.  Adjacent to Pirongia 
			Mountain, with Park Lodge, Information Centre and several lovely tracks. 

Sub-route A (iii) :   from Pirongia via Kawhia and Marakopa to Otorohanga

	7km south of Pirongia, turn right into Ngutunui Rd, then right onto SH31.  After visiting 	
	Kawhia, retrace 10kms, for Harbour Rd, to Marakopa and Waitomo.

Kawhia			Interesting  village, harbour and surroundings.  Tainui base. Gateway to
			Marakopa area and interesting back-road to Mokau.   Hot springs, golf.

Marakopa Falls		Spectacular waterfall, 5-minute walk from road.

Natural Bridge   		1-hour limestone-country gorge, stream and fossils walk, with the 	
			Mangapohue Natural Bridge, the highlight.

Waitomo		Your selection of caves, and adventures, from the free Ruakuri to the original
			Waitomo Caves, to Lost World, Blackwater, Pink Gumboot, and the Museum 
			of Caves, etc.   Also, several good scenic walks and tracks.

Sub-route A (iv) :   Otorohanga, then via Old Te Kuiti Rd to Te Kuiti,  then via SH30
	 and Waimiha Rd, to Ongarue, then Ongarue Back Rd, to Taumarunui

	Just south of Otorohanga, turn left, then immediately right, onto Old Te Kuiti Rd. After 7km, 
	At south end of Te Kuiti, turn left onto SH30.  After about 17km, turn right, onto Waimiha Rd, 
	to Ongarue.  At Ongarue, either return to SH4, or take Ongarue Back Rd, to Taumarunui.
	These are very scenic roads, and follow the Main Trunk railway line, from Otorohanga to  	
	Taumarunui.

Route B :   Auckland to National Park via SH27, Tirau, Whakamaru and Tihoi

	Leave SH1 at SH2 turnoff, before Pokeno.  Take the SH27 turnoff, before Mangatarata and 
	continue through Matamata, to join SH1 at Tirau.  Then take SH1, through Putaruru, to  	
	Tokoroa.  Turn right, onto SH32, which leads through Whakamaru, Tihoi, to Kuratau Junction. 
	Take SH41 through Tokaanu, then turn right onto SH 47.  SH48 turns off this, to Whakapapa,
	9kms before National Park.

Mangatarata		Hauraki Golf Club is on the corner of SH27 and SH2

Waharoa		Gliding and skydiving airfield.  Kaimai Cheese Co (2 Hawes St), has a café, 
			shop, museum and demonstrations.

Matamata		Attractive town, Lord of the Rings Display, Opal Hot Springs pools, Firth 
			Tower Museum, Wairere Falls (153m) is off Te Aroha-Gordon Rd, (Kaimai
			air crash memorial is close, also).  Good golf course.

Okoroire			Okoroire Hotel is the base for golf, hot pools, Waihou River walk, trout 

Te Waihou Walkway	Brilliant 90-min (one way) walkway.  Arrange two cars, and start at the top,
			up Leslie Rd, off White’s Rd, which links SH1 and SH5, 2km north of
			Putaruru.  65% of NZ’s bottled water comes from these “Blue Springs”,
			which source the Waihou River.  The clarity and colour will amaze you.

Tirau			Corrugated Capital of NZ.  Antique and other specialty shops and cafes.

Putaruru			Claimed to be 20 trout fishing streams and rivers within 20km from Putaruru.
			Timber Museum with café, 2kms east of the town.

Tokoroa			Home to 16,000 people and the Kinleith Paper mill.  
			“Talking Poles” - 34 tall sculptures, representing aspects of life and culture in
			the District.  Lake Moana Nui, - small lake, good for a stroll.

Whakamaru		Lake Whakamaru, and the junction  of SH 32 and SH30.  SH30, eastwards, 
			has outstanding lakefront reserve land, with good picnic spots.

Tihoi/Pureora Forest	Access from Kakaho Road, 5 kms north of Tihoi.  This becomes Link Road, 
			not shown on most maps, which gives a through road, from Tihoi to Pureora,
			on SH30.  One hour Rimu Walk, 5kms in, and thirty minute Totara Walk, 	
			close to the Pureora Forest HQ, are outstanding.  Pureora Forest has beautiful
			bush, even though spoilt in places by old clear felling and pine plantations.
			Waihaha River, 5 kms south of Tihoi, has a riverside reserve, and outstanding 
			walkway track, up the beautiful river, (three hours to DoC Waihaha hut).  
			Pureora Access Road, 3 kms south of Tihoi also gives good access to the 
			Forest, (after 5kms through farm), for an hour or two visit and walk.

Kuratau/Omori/Pukawa	Settlements well worth a leisurely sight-see.  With more time, a lake-front
			walking track links all three.

Tokaanu	/ Turangi	Trout fishing, of course, in the many places you will know; rafting on the
			Tongariro River (Atirau Rd, Turangi); walking tracks (fishing access, also)
			are on both sides of the Tongariro River, from below the SH1 Bridge, to the 
			Tongariro National Trout Centre, (which, also, should be visited), 5kms 	
			upstream.  Wai Maori Rafting and Kayaking, Tokaanu Village, Tokaanu.
			Thermal Pools (and walk).	 Te Porere Redoubt, 15kms south west, on SH47.
			Lake Rotopounamu is a beautiful lake, off SH47, 5km south of the SH32 
			turn-off.  20 minutes to the Lake then 100 minutes to walk round it, if you 
			have the time. 

Sub-route B (i) :   Tokoroa to Turangi and SH47, via Atiamuri, Wairakei, and 
			Taupo

Atiamuri			440m hydro-electric dam, with Lake Atiamuri above it, and Lake
			Whakamaru below it.

Orakei Korako		20kms south of Atiamuri, off Tutukau Rd, (which links SH1 and SH5),
			Orakei Korako Thermal Park is at least one of the best thermal areas in New 
			Zealand.

Wairakei			Golf; Prawn Farm; Huka Jet (Karetoto Rd); Huka Falls; Craters of 
			the Moon.

Taupo			Too many places and attractions to detail.  A few are : Lake Taupo Museum 
			(in Tongariro Domain); Taupo Bungy (Spa Road); AC Baths (Spa Road); 
			Huka Falls (SH1), Huka Jet (Karetoto Rd, Wairakei), Skydiving (Airport), 
			Craters of the Moon (SH1, Wairakei); choice of five golf courses.

Turangi/ Tokaanu 	Trout fishing, of course, in the many places you will know; rafting on the 
			Tongariro River (Atirau Rd, Turangi); walking tracks (fishing access, also)
			are on both sides of the Tongariro River, from below the SH1 Bridge, to the 
			Tongariro National Trout Centre, (which, also, should be visited), 5kms 	
			upstream.  Wai Maori Rafting and Kayaking, Tokaanu Village, Tokaanu
			Thermal Pools (and walk).	Te Porere Redoubt, 15kms south-west, on SH47.
			Lake Rotopounamu is a beautiful lake, off SH47, 5km south of the SH32 	
			turn-off.  20 minutes to the Lake then  100 minutes to walk round it, if you 
			have the time. 

Sub-route B (i) (a):   Atiamuri to Whakamaru 

	This is an attractive sub-route, alongside Lake Whakamaru.  Most of the route is lakefront 
	reserve, between the road and the lake, and pine forestry on the other side.  Good picnic spots
	and good trout fishing.

Sub-route B (i) (b) :  Atiamuri to SH32, via Mokai

	An attractive drive, via Tirohanga Rd, to Mokai, an abandoned forestry village, then west, on 
	Poihipi Rd and Marotiri Rd, to SH32.  Starts on the south side of Lake Whakamaru, across the
	Atiamuri Bridge, then through farmland, plantations and bush.

Sub-route B (ii) :   Ohinewai to Matamata, via Tahuna and Morrinsville

	Leave SH1 at the Ohinewai turn-off, and go east, to Tahuna.  Turn right, then either turn left, to 
	join SH27 to Matamata, or continue straight ahead, to Morrinsville, then to Matamata.

Ohinewai		Junction of SH1 and Tahuna Rd. This also gives access to Lake Waikare, via 
			Waikare Rd.

Tahuna			Small settlement, with junctions for routes to Morrinsville and Matamata.

Morrinsville		Prosperous farming area town; Heritage Trail; Morrin Museum; Piako River
			walk

Sub-route B (iii) :   Taupiri to Cambridge and Tirau, via SH1B and SH1

	At Taupiri, turn left, off SH1, onto SH1B and, via Gordonton, to rejoin SH1 at Cambridge.

Taupiri			Taupiri Mountain Walkway (90 min return).  Park at Taupiri Tavern.

Gordonton		Woodlands Homestead and Gardens, Whitikahu Rd, very good café etc 

Tauwhare		6km diversion, off SH1B.  Waitakaruru Arboretum Sculpture Park is 17ha
			conversion of quarry into garden and arboretum.

Cambridge 		Great place to take a break.  Food, shops, heritage trails, walks, picnic spots,
			river adventures, Karapiro Aquatic Centre, Robinson Sports Museum ,  
			Maungakawa Hill Reserve, golf, St Andrew’s Anglican Church, etc
			And Mt Maungatautari! ( see below)

Sub-route B (iv) :  Cambridge to Whakamaru, via Pukeatua and 
	Mt Maungatautari

	There are several ways to get from Cambridge to Pukeatua. : 
		(a) Stay on SH1, then, at about 15kms, turn right, either onto Plantation Rd, or onto
		Horahora Rd.  Either will take you close to Arapuni.  From there, take signposted road
		to Pukeatua, and Mt Maungatautari.
		or - (b) Cross the Waikato and take the Te Awamutu road.  If you don’t want to visit Te
		Awamutu,  earlier turn-off roads, to Puahue, Parawera, or Kihikihi, will still get you to 
		Pukeatua, via Arapuni Rd.

Maungatautari	Outstanding ecological project, which deserves a visit and at least a short walk (see
		below).	
		
		After visiting Mt Maungatautari, you can go either to Arapuni, then to Putaruru and
		SH1.
 		Alternatively, go south, to Rotongata, then take Waipapa Rd, to Whakamaru.  This is a
		very scenic route, through limestone, bush and forestry country.
		Another option, from Rotongata, is to go 3km east, to Wharepapa South, on Owairaka
		Rd, before resuming sub-route B (iv).  

Wharepapa South	Bryce’s Rockclimbing, at 1426 Owairaka Valley Rd, is a highly regarded 
			rock climbing centre.   It provides instruction, gear, food, and also
			accommodation, if wanted. www.rockclimb.co.nz

Leamington		Cambridge’s southern suburb.  Streets named after British poets and writers.

Mt Maungatautari	Possibly NZ’s most successful ecological project.  3400 ha reserve, predator-
			proofed with $18 million fence.  Great forest walks.  Best entry, (southern) 
			and information centre, from Pukeatua School.  Northern entry from 
			Maungatautari/Hicks Roads.

Arapuni			Hydro dam.  River walks, including Waikato River Trail, and across Waikato
			River on swing bridge, www.waikatorivertrails.com

Sub-route B (v) :  Mangatarata to Matamata, via Ngatea, Paeroa, and Te Aroha

	After turning off SH2, for SH27, tun left, at Mangatarata, then via Ngatea, Paeroa & Te Aroha

Ngatea			Good place for a refreshment stop.  Ngatea Water Gardens are 2 ha gardens,
			with pools, fountains, birds, and a good cafe.

Paeroa			Original home of “L and P”, - the spring is now used for bottled water, sold
			largely to USA.
			Gateway to Te Aroha and South Waikato, and to the Karangahake/Waikino
			Gorge, with its outstanding river and rail tunnel walkway, and onwards to
			Waihi, and the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty.

Te Aroha 		Hot Pools complex; Tour up Mt Te Aroha, or walks; Domain Gardens;
			Museum; walks in Waiorongomai Valley; Waihou River trout fishing (using
			bait allowed); St Mark’s Church houses the beautiful and famous 1712 Queen
			Anne pipe organ.

Sub-route B (vi) :   Tirau to Wairakei, via Rotorua and Waiotapu
		
	Just past Tirau, veer left, onto SH5, for Rotorua.
	After visiting Rotorua, head south, on SH5, for Waiotapu,  to rejoin SH1, at Wairakei.

Rotorua			New Zealand’s most popular tourist location.  There are so many things to do
			that a visit to the tourist i-SITE, 1167 Fenton St, or at	www.rotoruaNZ.com,
			should be a priority.  Also, an at least two-night stop-over should be an aim, if 
			not this time, then next time!
			However, for a visit en transit to or from Ruapehu, the following should be
			considered:
			Agrodome; Zorb; Skyline luge; Rainbow Springs and Kiwi Encounter; Buried
			Village; or a free walk at Kuirau Park, Ohinemutu Village, Government 
			Gardens, Hamurana Springs, or the Redwoods area.

Waiotapu		25kms south, towards Taupo, Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland, is a great 
			walk, with spectacular thermal and scenic sights.  And finish, (or start), with a
			visit to its good café (and good toilets, too!).

Orakei Korako		Mihi is just off SH5, about 52kms south of Rotorua.  12kms west from Mihi,
			off Tutukau Rd, Orakei Korako is at least one of the best thermal areas in
			New Zealand.

Sub-route B (vii) : Maramarua to Waitakaruru, via Kaiaua, the Seabird Coast 
			and Miranda

	3kms past Mangatawhiri, veer left, off SH2, onto Mangatangi Rd.  At Mangatangi, turn left,
	onto Kaiaua Rd.  
	After visiting Kaiaua, head south, through Miranda, to join SH 25, at Waitakaruru.  Turn left,
	for Thames, or left then right, immediately past the bridge, onto Canal East Rd.  At the SH2 
	junction, turn left for Ngatea, Paeroa and Te Aroha, or right, to rejoin SH27 at Mangatarata.

8kms along Kaiaua Rd, Workman Rd would take you to Mangatangi Dam, the last water supply reservoir 
to have been built in the Hunua Ranges.  Several walking tracks start at the dam.
At Kaiaua, heading north would take you to numerous beaches and Regional Reserves, on the Firth of 
Thames coast and Hunua Ranges, then to Clevedon, and back to Auckland.  
At Miranda, visit the Miranda Naturalist Trust (wading birds) HQ, to see the bird and migration displays.
Walk or drive onto the shell banks, to see many varieties of migratory and non-migratory wading  birds.
Further south, Miranda Hot Pools are good for a visit and swim, with camping and accommodation.