Kawhia - All North Island welcome - Sat 9th December 2017

[mickeyduck]

Hi guys

I've been itching to do a run to Kawhia. There's a loop road that looks like a total blast - I've decided to call it the Waitomo "O".

It dawned on me that the thing is basically about the same distance to get to from Auckland, the Bay Of Plenty, Taupo or Taranaki. So I thought perhaps we can do it as a combined run?

There are brilliant journeys to be had from any of those regions, as well as the epic road awaiting us there.

For example we Aucklanders would do most of the Raglan run heading south, then cut across to SH39 and carry on down.
The BOP crew could enjoy the Arapuni Rd amongst other things.
Folk coming up from Taupo have a simply epic dose of fun to savour - one of my all time favourite trips.
And the Taranaki crew could basically do the Forgotten Highway on their way up.

Each group would first head for the gas stations that sell 98 in either Te Awamutu or Te Kuiti, before heading to the meeting point at the Cave Tickets Cafe just north of Hangatiki.

We would then do the lower part of the Waitomo O with a quick look at Aotea and Kawhia Beach, finishing with lunch in Kawhia.

Options for lunch include:
BBQ on Kawhia Beach, overlooking the Tasman.
Inundating The Rusty Snapper fish n chip shop.
Invading the Kawhia Hotel.

I suggest we have lunch at the Kawhia Hotel as there's loads of parking and seating available and they are more likely to have adequate staffing available to cope.

There's also a freaky thing to check out on that loop road - the Mangapohue natural bridge.

It would be a long day but it would surely be epic!

I was thinking perhaps we line it up for mid August when the weather is cool and fine, before the spring rains turn up. Whatcha reckon?

That's fully 2 months away so should allow us time to save up and get our cars ready etc...

*** EDIT - looking at Sunday 13th August 2017 ***

New Edit: POSTPONED until summer due to road closures/slips.
Latest Edit: Happening Saturday 9th December 2017

Auckland crew: meet at BP on SH1 Drury (usual place) at 8:30am Saturday 9th December, leaving by 9am sharp.

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[CJ]

Im pretty sure that is the run i planned with chewy. Never got to do it. Scanning google maps it looks amazing.

[mickeyduck]

Im pretty sure that is the run i planned with chewy.

Really? Cool. No surprises I guess because yeah I've been looking all over the maps for a good new route and I agree it sure does look AWesome!

[stag]

Looks like a bit of fun. I'd be keen on this for sure.

[Mattaw11]

Im keen be a long day for Isabelle but she should be fine

[UberNZ]

Looks like someone drew a circle with a bad case of Parkinson's - bigger and squigglier than the Nordschleife. Looks great.

[MIKEP]

Looks like a date with Dorothy may be on the cards or maybe Grace.

Anyway ill be there with one of them . Doesn't look like a place id take Big Red too

[Joel]

I drove that same loop earlier in the year - its a great journey and pretty scenic too. Roads were empty also.

[mickeyduck]

I drove that same loop earlier in the year - its a great journey and pretty scenic too. Roads were empty also.

Excellent!

[Swampy]

I'll be there!

[Mattaw11]

Did a little bit of this run up to the natural bridge 2 weeks ago roads where damp still and hadnt seen rain for about a week also went through about 6 patches of road works which where just loose pebbles alot on corners making it quite slidy just a heads up charlie

[mickeyduck]

Thanks Matt. Good info. Hopefully there's still enough good bits to have fun?

I guess that's the thing though when you go a long way for a run you just never know what it'll be like regards road works etc. A bit tricky to scout them all out like I used to before gas went right up in price. I don't have the budget for that anymore so info like yours is really helpful.

[mickeyduck]

I'll be there!

Good stuff James.

...roads where damp still and hadnt seen rain for about a week also went through about 6 patches of road works which where just loose pebbles alot on corners making it quite slidy...

That's two counts of caution for end-swapping enthusiasts.

Swampy take note!

Actually we could almost amend your forum handle James. Drop the "m" in favour of a 2nd "p". Whatcha reckon...?

[Swampy]

Sounds good to me, but my MR2 is going to get some serious attention with suspension tuning and also driver training. That'll be the last time that happens. I'm yet to swap ends in my AWD thing

[mickeyduck]

Right then. Just over 2 weeks to go. Better get that MR2 sorted cos this is going to be EPIC.

What more could be said...?