Wellsford to Opononi
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Route Overview
General Overview
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 Wellsford to Opononi and includes some of the best public gravel roads in the area. It passes through Paparoa, the Parahi Reserve, the stunning Lusk Road, skirts Tangihua and Maungaru Ranges, then culminates with the Great Tane Mahuta in Waipoua Forest.
This Adventure is best traveled in good weather as the views on a clear day are superb.
Start/Finish Point
This is an A to B route. Starting at Wellsford and ending at Opononi.
The GPX files are in this direction but it can be traveled in either direction.
Terrain includes
Awesome windy tarmac roads, great metal roads, fantastic scenery. All the gravel roads included in this route are Grade 1 in dry conditions.
You will notice the in and out section on Tangowahine Valley Road. This was due to an unexpected forestry gate. There are two other ways of getting to Donnellys Crossing but due to time constraints, we went back through Dargaville.
The best way would be to be Via Murray Road, Sh15 to Twin Bridges, Waimatenui Road, Kaikohe Road, Marlborough Road, to SH 12.
Distance
269 km.
Max Fuel Leg
35 km into the route you will reach Maungaturoto, where fuel is available. then at 47 km at Paparoa, and 180 km at Dargaville.
Travel Time
Average travel time is 5.15 hours at a steady pace allowing plenty of time to have a good look around some of the interesting places.
Access Permission
All roads within this Adventure are publicly accessible so access permission is not required.
Access Limitations
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.
Safety
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.
