[sarahw]

OK so maybe I am mad but I'm taking our 4 month old daughter on a road trip tomorrow to Auckland via Raglan to visit friends for the week...

Can anyone who has driven it recommend the best route up there? Is it to go on the SH1, or is it to take the SH4 at Wanganui? To me the SH4 route looks less on the map but is it really???

Thanks in advance!!

[Avalon]

Can anyone who has driven it recommend the best route up there? Is it to go on the SH1, or is it to take the SH4 at Wanganui? To me the SH4 route looks less on the map but is it really???

Thanks in advance!!
Take the route from Palmy, over the desert road through Taihape and Waiouru to Taupo, and fron Taupo up to Hamilton. All SH1.

Although 4 looks shorter - its actually a slower road because its bendier!

When we do the trip, we stop in Palmy for breakfast (Cuba Cafe), Taupo for lunch and hamilton for Tea!

Should take 8 hours!

Theres BP garages with Wild bean cafes just north of Palmy at Fielding, one at Taihape, one at taupo if you dont stop elsewhere, and i think the nest one is Cambridge. Not just for good coffee - but they have good loos with baby change facilities (not that this is an issue for me!)

Have a nice trip

Hxxx

[Smiler]

Sarah

I'm with Av, the SH4 is a slow road and very bendy in places. SH1 is a better route to go.

Make sure you have a full tank of fuel and some water (no offence intended) and lots of soothing music for bub.

Have a lovely time. :raebanana

[Diny]

Yeah - SH4 is a pretty road but MUCH longer travelling time. Stick to SH1 and you won't go wrong. Done that road hundreds (seems like it) of times - it's a very easy road to drive.

Diny

[sarahw]

Unfortunately I went to bed early on the night before the trip & missed out on everyone's advice since I left next morning at 6am. You were all right - SH4 bloomin' twisty roads!! I also (ahem!) decided to take a 'shortcut' to Raglan & went to Kawhia & then on the coastal 'road' on the way there.... hmmmm last time I listen to Wises.co.nz!! The road to Kawhia from the main SH was the worst twisty road I've ever been on & it was the first time I felt travel sick whilst driving!! The road from Kawhia to Raglan was an unmade gravel track!! I actually stopped dead at the turning (running the car on fumes & was hoping to stop at a petrol station on the way - ha!!) and remarked out loud - 'you ARE joking!' 55km's the road was as well!! Thank goodness I have a 4WD!!

Needless to say on the way back I took SH1 & did the journey in 7.5 hours plus 2 half hour stops to feed & change the baby!!

If anyone is doing this journey don't look up the fastest or shortest route on wises.co.nz!! You may end up on all sorts of roads!

[KerryS]

I also (ahem!) decided to take a 'shortcut' to Raglan & went to Kawhia & then on the coastal 'road' on the way there.... hmmmm last time I listen to Wises.co.nz!! The road to Kawhia from the main SH was the worst twisty road I've ever been on & it was the first time I felt travel sick whilst driving!! The road from Kawhia to Raglan was an unmade gravel track!!

I love this road! My partner is actually from Kawhia, so I make this trip on a reasonably regular basis. I think I am the only person in Auckland who actually uses their 4x4 off road sometimes...
People give me very odd looks when I drive through town covered in mud!

[sarahw]

Kerry - you should see the mud up my car! Better go & wash it - won't do at mum's morning tea this week!! ;o)