Route 02 of this tour of the North Island of New Zealand follows the South Pacific coast in a northerly direction.
Today's route offers you a good mixture of stunning coastal views, rich pastures and forests of NZ ferns. The silver fern has been accepted as a symbol of New Zealand's national identity since the 1880s. To the Māori, the elegant shape of the fronds stood for strength, stubborn resistance, and enduring power. Despite a 2nd referendum to adopt a silver fern onto the national flag, the final decision was to keep the current flag.
The elevation of this route is constantly changing as it travels through the undulating landscape and consequently there are many twists and turns to delight you.
RP 9 at Tutukaka Marina is a nice place for a coffee stop. A safe haven to mariners since Polynesian navigator Kupe first cruised past, the Tutukaka Marina lies at the head of a beautiful natural harbour. These days it is a fishing port, a coastal waypoint for local and international yachties, and home to a fleet of private launches and charter boats for diving and fishing.
The road twists and turns through the Kaiikanui Forest conservation area where you'll encounter the two gravel road sections. Although easy to ride on, some caution is required on any downhill sections.
Lunch is at Oakura Bay where you can enjoy fishNchips on the beach while taking in the view.
There is an alternative choice of routes at RP 25. You can choose to stay on the bitumen road and follow the coast, or turn left onto Russell Road and re-join the original route at RP 28. Russell Road is a lesser used gravel road that travels through the Ngaiotonga Scenic Reserve. Because it is used less often, the gravel surface is a little looser and although the scenery is beautiful, I would only advise experienced riders to attempt it.
At RP 29 you'll hop on a small ferry to take you from Okiato to Opua across the Veronica Channel. $5.90 NZ for a motorcycle in 2020. Operates from 06:00 - 21:50 approximately every 10 minutes.
The end of the route at Paihia is just 10 minutes away from disembarking from the ferry.
Paihia is an excellent base from which to explore the Bay of Islands. It has an extensive choice of accommodation and I have included links for 3 different types below.
My advice would be to stay for two nights in Paihia to sample some of the many attractions on offer. From the wharf you can arrange a trip to the outer islands, hook into a fishing expedition or catch ferry to Russell. Top local adventures include cruising to the ‘hole in the rock’ at the tip of Cape Brett, finding dolphins (and even swimming with them) and sea kayak tours. Paihia is also just down the road from the historic Treaty House at Waitangi Treaty Grounds, which marks the beginning of New Zealand as a nation.
Enjoy.