Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
InterCity
( 09-583 5780;
www.intercity.co.nz
)
buses run daily to the following destinations
(among others):
DESTINATION
PRICE ($)
DURATION (HR)
FREQUENCY (DAILY)
Auckland
28-58
3½
3
Mokau
30
1
2
New Plymouth
30
2½
2
Otorohanga
20
¾
3
Taumarunui
34
1¼
1
Naked Bus
( 0900 625 33;
www.nakedbus.com
)
runs once daily to Auckland ($35, four hours),
Hamilton ($25, 1½ hours), New Plymouth ($30, 2¼ hours) and Otorohanga ($20, 30
minutes).
TOP OF CHAPTER
Te Kuiti to Mokau
From Te Kuiti, SH3 runs southwest to the coast before following the rugged shoreline to
New Plymouth. Detour at Pio Pio northwest to the Mangaotaki valley and
Hairy Feet
Waitomo
( 07-877 8003;
www.hairyfeetwaitomo.co.nz
;
1411 Mangaotaki Rd, Pio Pio; adult/child $50/25;
10am & 1pm)
, one of NZ's newest Middle Earth-themed film-location attractions. Scenes
from
The Hobbit
were filmed here with a background of towering limestone cliffs.
Along this scenic route the sheep stations sprout peculiar limestone formations before
giving way to lush native bush as the highway winds along the course of the Awakino
River.
The Awakino River spills into the Tasman at
Awakino
(population 60), a small settlement
where boats shelter in the estuary while locals find refuge at the rustic
Awakino Hotel
(
06-752 9815;
www.awakinohotel.co.nz
; SH3; meals $11-20; 7am-11pm)
.
A little further south the impressive
Maniaroa Marae
dominates the cliff above the high-
way. This important complex houses the anchor stone of the
Tainui waka
which brought
this region's original people from their Polynesian homeland. You can get a good view of
the intimidatingly carved meeting house, Te Kohaarua, from outside the fence - don't
cross into the
marae
unless someone invites you.
