05 Kaitaia to Wellsford
This route was brought to you by:
RouteXpert Nick Carthew - (MRA Master)
Last edit: 25-02-2021
Route Summary I have awarded 4**** stars because of the great twisty roads and scenery.
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Animation
Verdict
Duration
6h 56m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
273.47 km
Countries
RouteXpert Review After just 10 minutes of starting this route, you will be entering the Mangamuka Gorge Scenic Reserve on State Highway 1 (SH1).
The Mangamuka Gorge Scenic Reserve consists of a large forested area (2944 ha). It is home to a wide variety of birds and animals, many of which are regionally and nationally threatened. It is an important site for the long-term maintenance of North Island brown kiwi and kūkupa (New Zealand pigeon) populations. It is also one of the few sites where the threatened freshwater fish, the short-jawed kokopu, has been recorded.
Mangamuka also contains one of the highest quality waterways left in Northland, the Mangamuka River.
The rolling hill slopes covered in towai forest and manuka/kanuka shrubland form part of a remnant forest that links locally to Mangataipa Scenic Reserve and Raetea Forest. As development and deforestation continue to diminish forest habitats like this, pristine areas such as Mangamuka become more and more important for the survival of native species.
The highest point of this route is at RP 3, Mangamuka summit 383 m, and then the descent from here is on an incredibly twisty and beautiful section of the SH1 through pristine native forest. As the road starts to straighten out you'll be running alongside the Mangamuka River.
I have suggested a coffee stop at Mangamuka Stores, if you watched the YouTube video link on the previous route of this tour (04), you will see that Pavlin a German traveller from Motorcycle Adventures gave the Mangamuka Stores high praise because of their 'Pay it Forward' scheme. I would like to share their fantastic attitude by recommending a stop here.
See Pavlin's review at 9:43 on this video: https//youtu.be/bn_npTFg7fM
You will leave the SH1 now and follow the Mangamuka River to RP 8 where you will catch the Hokianga vehicle ferry between Kohukohu and Rawene, The cost in 2021 is NZ$20.00 for light vehicles. The ferry service operates seven days a week, with departure times 7:15am Earlybird departure (weekdays only, excluding public holidays), 7:45am, 8:30am, 9;00am and then on the hour every hour until 8pm. You can buy tickets on board the ferry. Have a coffee onboard or at the Boatshed Cafe when you land.
You will cross over on of the many inlets of the Mangamuka River and join the State Highway 12 (SH12) also known as the Twin Coast Highway. You stay on this road for the next 170 kms as you head down the Kauri Coast.
Rangi Point and North Head sand dunes are visible from RP 13. Spiritually significant to local Maori, the North Head Dunes are natural wonder. The area contains an array of interesting features, from sacred areas that visitors are asked to respect, to huge sand sculptures and massive sand canyons. A gallery of natural erosion, a world of shifting sands, wind scarred bluffs and delicate temporary overhangs. RP 14 at South Head viewpoint offers you some fantastic views, as does RP 15 at Pakia Hill Lookout.
The next few kms will take you through rolling hillsides with lush green pastures, more reminiscent to Europe than some of the previous scenery, This scenery changes again when you arrive at RP 17, the start of the Waipoua Forest, the largest remaining tract of native forest in Northland. Waipoua is an ancient green world of towering trees and rare birds. The Twin Coast Highway through the forest is memorable for the natural gateways created by huge kauri trees, the fringing of colourful ferns along the road's edge and the thrilling nature of the constantly twisting and turning road. At RP 18 you can visit Tāne Mahuta. Tāne Mahuta is the most famous tree in New Zealand. Its age is unknown but is estimated to be between 1,250 and 2,000 years. It is the largest Kauri known to stand today. Kauri are among the world's mightiest trees, growing to over 50 m tall, with trunk girths up to 16 m, and capable of living for over 2,000 years.
Leaving the forest, the landscape reverts back to rolling hills and rich pastures with cattle and sheep.
The town of Dargaville is next.
Dargaville is built along the edge of the wide Northern Wairoa River, two and a half hours drive north-west of Auckland. Maori settlements and marae (meeting places) have been scattered around the area for hundreds of years.
The township of Dargaville was established by Irish businessman Joseph McMullen Dargaville in the 1870s, during the heyday of kauri felling and gum digging. It was largely settled by Dalmatian immigrants (Croatian), whose descendants still live there today. Dairy farming is the main local industry; the district also produces around two thirds of New Zealand’s kumara (sweet potato) crop. I have suggested a lunch stop here at Jo's Restaurant where you'll have a good selection of delicious home made food. The end of the route is 1hr 15mins from here.
Cross over the Wairoa River at Dargaville and you'll notice that the landscape has become more flat and marshy as you head towards the huge Kaipara Harbour delta formed by the confluence of several large rivers.
RP 28 is the end of the Twin Coast Highway and you'll rejoin SH1 for 20 minutes to take you to the end of the route at Wellsford.
Wellsford is a busy country town serving the local farming and horticultural community. There is a selection of hotels and motels below in the links.
Auckland is a further 1 hour south on the SH1 for those wishing to complete their 5 day tour.
Enjoy.
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Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
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New Zealand
About this region
New Zealand (Māori: Aotearoa [aɔˈtɛaɾɔa]) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island (Te Ika-a-Māui) and the South Island (Te Waipounamu)—and more than 700 smaller islands, covering a total area of 268,021 square kilometres (103,500 sq mi). New Zealand is about 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) east of Australia across the Tasman Sea and 1,000 kilometres (600 mi) south of the islands of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga. The country's varied topography and sharp mountain peaks, including the Southern Alps, owe much to tectonic uplift and volcanic eruptions. New Zealand's capital city is Wellington, and its most populous city is Auckland.
Owing to their remoteness, the islands of New Zealand were the last large habitable lands to be settled by humans. Between about 1280 and 1350, Polynesians began to settle in the islands and then developed a distinctive Māori culture. In 1642, the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman became the first European to sight New Zealand. In 1840, representatives of the United Kingdom and Māori chiefs signed the Treaty of Waitangi, which declared British sovereignty over the islands. In 1841, New Zealand became a colony within the British Empire, and in 1907 it became a dominion; it gained full statutory independence in 1947, and the British monarch remained the head of state. Today, the majority of New Zealand's population of 5 million is of European descent; the indigenous Māori are the largest minority, followed by Asians and Pacific Islanders. Reflecting this, New Zealand's culture is mainly derived from Māori and early British settlers, with recent broadening arising from increased immigration. The official languages are Māori and New Zealand Sign Language, with English being a de facto official and dominant language.
A developed country, New Zealand ranks highly in international comparisons of national performance, such as quality of life, education, protection of civil liberties, government transparency, and economic freedom. New Zealand underwent major economic changes during the 1980s, which transformed it from a protectionist to a liberalised free-trade economy. The service sector dominates the national economy, followed by the industrial sector, and agriculture; international tourism is a significant source of revenue. Nationally, legislative authority is vested in an elected, unicameral Parliament, while executive political power is exercised by the Cabinet, led by the prime minister, currently Jacinda Ardern. Queen Elizabeth II is the country's monarch and is represented by the governor-general. In addition, New Zealand is organised into 11 regional councils and 67 territorial authorities for local government purposes. The Realm of New Zealand also includes Tokelau (a dependent territory); the Cook Islands and Niue (self-governing states in free association with New Zealand); and the Ross Dependency, which is New Zealand's territorial claim in Antarctica.
New Zealand is a member of the United Nations, Commonwealth of Nations, ANZUS, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, ASEAN Plus Six, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, the Pacific Community and the Pacific Islands Forum.
Read more on Wikipedia
Owing to their remoteness, the islands of New Zealand were the last large habitable lands to be settled by humans. Between about 1280 and 1350, Polynesians began to settle in the islands and then developed a distinctive Māori culture. In 1642, the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman became the first European to sight New Zealand. In 1840, representatives of the United Kingdom and Māori chiefs signed the Treaty of Waitangi, which declared British sovereignty over the islands. In 1841, New Zealand became a colony within the British Empire, and in 1907 it became a dominion; it gained full statutory independence in 1947, and the British monarch remained the head of state. Today, the majority of New Zealand's population of 5 million is of European descent; the indigenous Māori are the largest minority, followed by Asians and Pacific Islanders. Reflecting this, New Zealand's culture is mainly derived from Māori and early British settlers, with recent broadening arising from increased immigration. The official languages are Māori and New Zealand Sign Language, with English being a de facto official and dominant language.
A developed country, New Zealand ranks highly in international comparisons of national performance, such as quality of life, education, protection of civil liberties, government transparency, and economic freedom. New Zealand underwent major economic changes during the 1980s, which transformed it from a protectionist to a liberalised free-trade economy. The service sector dominates the national economy, followed by the industrial sector, and agriculture; international tourism is a significant source of revenue. Nationally, legislative authority is vested in an elected, unicameral Parliament, while executive political power is exercised by the Cabinet, led by the prime minister, currently Jacinda Ardern. Queen Elizabeth II is the country's monarch and is represented by the governor-general. In addition, New Zealand is organised into 11 regional councils and 67 territorial authorities for local government purposes. The Realm of New Zealand also includes Tokelau (a dependent territory); the Cook Islands and Niue (self-governing states in free association with New Zealand); and the Ross Dependency, which is New Zealand's territorial claim in Antarctica.
New Zealand is a member of the United Nations, Commonwealth of Nations, ANZUS, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, ASEAN Plus Six, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, the Pacific Community and the Pacific Islands Forum.
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Route Collections in this region A complete tour of North Island New Zealand from Auckland
A superb tour of everything that the beautiful North Island of New Zealand has to offer. From the far north at Cape Reinga where two mighty ocean currents collide, then, situated at the southern end of the North Island is the capital city of Wellington, recently named "the coolest little capital in the world" by Lonely Planet. Experience everything in between, journey through landscapes of magnificent coasts and beaches, sprawling farmlands and geothermal wonders. The breathtakingly beautiful Bay of Islands or the majestic, symmetrical volcanic cone of Mt Taranaki, or sitting within the Pacific Rim of Fire, Rotorua is a geothermal wonderland with bubbling mud pools, clouds of steam, and natural hot springs perfect for bathing and relaxing in. North Island has it all.
Māori culture is rich and ever-present in many parts of the North Island as is the architecture of the early European settlers. I would allow 3 weeks to cover this tour as this will enable you to spend more than one night in some of the fantastic locations.
Note: At Gisborne you have a choice of two routes, the coastal route included in this collection 13a or a shorter, inland route that travels through the Waioeka Gorge Scenic Reserve 13b. Links for both routes are included in the route 12 review.
Enjoy.
Māori culture is rich and ever-present in many parts of the North Island as is the architecture of the early European settlers. I would allow 3 weeks to cover this tour as this will enable you to spend more than one night in some of the fantastic locations.
Note: At Gisborne you have a choice of two routes, the coastal route included in this collection 13a or a shorter, inland route that travels through the Waioeka Gorge Scenic Reserve 13b. Links for both routes are included in the route 12 review.
Enjoy.
View Route Collection
A complete and epic 9 route tour of South Island New Zealand
The picture above is of the Devil's Staircase running alongside Lake Wakatipu, New Zealand's longest lake at 80 km. It was difficult to find one picture to sum up South Island because of the many varied and stunningly beautiful landscapes that this tour travels through.
The beauty of the South Island is in the diversity of its scenery.
Southern Alps
The main feature of scenery in the South Island is mountains. The Southern Alps mountain range is the backbone of the island, stretching for roughly 500 kilometres from Wanaka to Arthur's Pass. The Alps have snowy tops all year round, feeding glaciers and crystal clear rivers.
The highest mountain in New Zealand, Aoraki/Mount Cook, this soars to 3,724 metres. Mount Cook is one of New Zealand's greatest natural features.
Route highlights:
01: Lewis Pass road.
02: Arthur's Pass.
03: Mount Cook.
04: Lindis Pass.
05: Southern Scenic Route and Bluff.
06: Devil's Staircase.
07: Haast Pass.
08: Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers.
09: Buller Gorge.
Eight of these routes are 5 ***** star routes and the ninth is a 4**** star. There is so much to see on this tour it is guaranteed to make unforgettable memories.
You might want to allow for a few extra nights, I would suggest 2 nights in:
Christchurch.
Bluff or Invercargill.
Queenstown.
Fox Glacier.
And maybe a night in Motueka.
Enjoy.
The beauty of the South Island is in the diversity of its scenery.
Southern Alps
The main feature of scenery in the South Island is mountains. The Southern Alps mountain range is the backbone of the island, stretching for roughly 500 kilometres from Wanaka to Arthur's Pass. The Alps have snowy tops all year round, feeding glaciers and crystal clear rivers.
The highest mountain in New Zealand, Aoraki/Mount Cook, this soars to 3,724 metres. Mount Cook is one of New Zealand's greatest natural features.
Route highlights:
01: Lewis Pass road.
02: Arthur's Pass.
03: Mount Cook.
04: Lindis Pass.
05: Southern Scenic Route and Bluff.
06: Devil's Staircase.
07: Haast Pass.
08: Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers.
09: Buller Gorge.
Eight of these routes are 5 ***** star routes and the ninth is a 4**** star. There is so much to see on this tour it is guaranteed to make unforgettable memories.
You might want to allow for a few extra nights, I would suggest 2 nights in:
Christchurch.
Bluff or Invercargill.
Queenstown.
Fox Glacier.
And maybe a night in Motueka.
Enjoy.
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