Topic: Northern weekend away, 22 - 23 March 2014

[R3SPCT]

Robbo and I were discussing a weekend trip away similar to the Coromandal drive we did last year, but heading north from Auckland. 

Someone has sugested a camping stopover at Kai-Iwi Lakes, and a drive up through the forests and north from there? Maybe Russell or Waitangi?

Or do we go for gold and go all the way to the tip?

Discussion thread for now, put some ideas out there.

15-16 March
22 -23 March
29-30 March

[p114x4]

Id be keen to make the trip from hamilton

[Mr Smith]

I like this plan

Challenge: reach all destinations WITHOUT using SH1

[R3SPCT]

Can you do that though? And might take a lot of extra kms. 

[ElMatto]

I might be keen if my cars ready

[more_fasterer]

Good idea Cape Reinga is a hell of a long way away so it would end up being most of both days in the car.  The Mangamuka ranges are easily the most fun part of SH1 in the entire country, so maybe go as far as Awanui (north of Kaitaia) and stay in the Coopers Beach / Cable Bay / Karekare peninsula / Mangonui area for the night.

Out of those weekends, I vote for the 22nd-23rd, as I've got rallysprints the other 2 weekends.

[vickimon]

Hey guys,
I'm not familiar with up there so I can't contribute much to suggesting locations/routes but you could count me in as another car

[Photoglossy]

Mungamuka gorge is awesome, just gotta hope no one is in front of you

[robbo]

I'd been keen for a good drive.

Will need to get clearance from the wife, but that should be okay!

[Mr Smith]

I've stayed at Kaiiwi lakes. It's a nice spot with a decent road to get to it, so thumbs up for that one

Cape Rianga is nice once you get there but it is a lot of boring straight roads in each direction, so I would leave that out.

How about this for a plan?

Friday: 123Km ~ 1:35 driving time
Meet at West Gate at 6:30pm, leave at 7:00pm.
Head up SH16 to Wellsford
East along Whangaripo Valley Road
Stay the night at Leigh, probably shared motel or cabins.

Saturday: 177Km ~ 2:30 driving time
Breakfast in Leigh, maybe a swim at the beach.
Head back along Pakiri road
North along Waiteitei Road to Mangawhai, stop and have lunch
West along Kawakawa Mangawhai Road
North on Baldrock Road
Very short stint on SH1
Turn off on SH12
Dargaville then Lake Kaiiwi
Pitch a tent, chill out for a bit, BBQ and beers

Sunday: 364Km ~ 4:30 driving time
Breakfast at Kaiiwi, possible swim in the Lake
Head north on SH12, through Waipoua forest, possible stop at Tane Mahuta?
Turn off at Kaikohe along Mangakahia Road
Late lunch in Whangarei
Head back to Auckland in own time.

Total distance: 664Km

Thoughts?

[more_fasterer]

That's a good route Eden

[R3SPCT]

Epic mate, thanks for putting the effort into that post!

I think we might have to put that down and get some people interested.

Goat Island camp ground just out of Leigh is pretty good, and cheap, they have cabins and tent sites and caravans.

22/23 so Kieran can make it? (no you cant bring the bike!)

[more_fasterer]

no you cant bring the bike!

 

[BOOBOO]

Hey im new here. Im from whangarei and keen to join in on this. Would be looking at joining you guys at mangawhai for the trip. Ive got a 91 p10, not the best but slowly tidying it up

[NOGR1P]

23rd weekend is out for me cousins wedding