Head south out
of Taihape on SH1 following the Hautapu River. You will pass through the settlements
of Winiata, Utiku, Manui, Mangaweka and Ohingaiti, before coming to the junction
of SH1 and SH54 at Vinegar Hill.
Continue right
on SH1 through Hunterville, Rata and Greatford, before rolling into Bulls.
Take SH3 southeast
out of Bulls, but only as far the next township of Sanson. From there you
retake SH1 south across the Foxton straights through Carnarvon, Oroua Downs
and Himatangi, before coming to Foxton. There is a camping ground here and
a good swimming beach at the mouth of the Manawatu River.
Continue out of
Foxton south on SH1. You will pass through the small settlements of Poroutawhao
and Heatherlea before soon arriving in the bustling city of Levin. Check out
the picturesque Lake Horowhenua nearby.
Taihape to Eketahuna
Head south out
of Taihape on SH1 following the Hautapu River. You will pass through the settlements
of Winiata, Utiku, Manui, Mangaweka and Ohingaiti, before coming to the junction
of SH1 and SH54 at Vinegar Hill.
Turn left into
SH54 and you go past the locales of Rewa and Waituna West before coming to
Cheltenham. Turn right at the intersection and take the 12km straight road
to Feilding.
Once you are in
Feilding, stop and have look at the beautiful gardens and transport museums.
Leaving Feilding head southeast so you pass through Bunnythorpe and Ashhurst,
thus bypassing Palmerston North.
Leave Ashhurst
and turn left onto SH3, which takes you through the stunning Manawatu Gorge.
Sheer cliffs on both sides (one going up, the other down), make for an interesting
drive. Be sure to check the road is open as it is sometimes closed due to
landslips.
After navigating the gorge, you are now in Tararua. You soon come to Woodville,
a charming little town that is seen as a crossroads to Hawke's Bay in the
north and the Wairarapa in the south. When you come to the SH2 intersection
turn right and head south.
Mangatainoka looms
into view thanks to the brick tower that signals the Tui brewery, makers of
the same-named local beer that is popular nationwide.
Keep on heading
south and you pass through Pahiatua, which offers an alternative route to
Palmerston North if the Manawatu Gorge is closed.
Travelling on south
you pass through Konini and Hamua before hitting the quintessential Kiwi country
town Eketahuna.
It
is recommended that you have detailed road maps before departing on your trip
Head south out
of Taihape on SH1 following the Hautapu River. You will pass through the settlements
of Winiata, Utiku, Manui, Mangaweka and Ohingaiti, before coming to the junction
of SH1 and SH54 at Vinegar Hill.