Paihia to Whangarei

This Adventure was created and personally logged by Ross Bowden. Ross is a keen adventure rider with an extensive knowledge of the remote North Island track network.

This route is a section of The Far North Adventure Route.

It is a day route that makes up the section from Paihia to Whangarei and includes some of the best public gravel roads in the area. These include Russell - Whakapara road, Webb Road, the picturesque heights of Kaiikanui Road, and Hailes Road.

This Adventure is best traveled in good weather as the views on a clear day are superb.

This is an A to B route. Starting at Paihia and ending at Whangarei. The GPX files are in this direction but It can be traveled in either direction.

Awesome windy tarmac roads, great metal roads, fantastic scenery. Kaiikanui Road and Russell Road are described by Bike Rider Magazine as one of the top five roads to ride (or drive!).
All the gravel roads included in this route are Grade 1 in dry conditions.

189 km.

130 km into the route you will reach Tutukaka, where fuel is available.

Average travel time is 3.75 hours at a steady pace allowing plenty of time to have a good look around some of the interesting places.

All roads within this Adventure are publicly accessible so access permission is not required.

This Adventure is recommended for fine weather. While it is possible to travel this route all year round, if there has been recent heavy rain there can be slippery, muddy sections.

While this is not considered a technical route it does include a few semi-remote areas so it is recommended to travel as a group with typical equipment including tools, spares and a PLB or emergency beacon.