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BugTeeny 
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Joined: 11 July 2008
Location: Sunny Tauranga
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 Topic: Tauranga to New Plymouth
Posted: 17 February 2011 at 12:42pm |
Hi everyone!
We're heading down to NP this weekend. Never been before and it's a very quick visit (for a wedding on Saturday night).
We will drive down on Saturday then back on Sunday. I'm dreading it, especially with two kids in tow.
Anyway. What I want to know is, does anyone know how long it takes to drive it?
I've heard it's about 4 hours. Others have said 6. I really hope it's not 6 given the wedding is only going to be about 4 hours (And I'll be spending a good portion of that time dealing with the kids!).
Wises maps says it's 4 hours - and they're usually pretty bang on..
Thanks 
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karenb_chch
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Location: Christchurch
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Posted: 17 February 2011 at 12:47pm |
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Hi MamaPickle,
From memory (it's been a while) it's more like 4.5-5 hours to drive, though it depends on stops. It's about 2hours to Te Kuiti, then through the gorge and over Mt Messenger, and then down the northern Taranaki coast.
Hope this helps ...
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Whateversville
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Joined: 18 October 2009
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Posted: 17 February 2011 at 1:01pm |
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All depends on how often you stop, road works etc.
We did NP to whakatane last month in 6hrs but with x2 stops and road works (caused by the flooding)
It's a long trip.
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millymollymandy
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Posted: 17 February 2011 at 1:13pm |
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I have done it in 4 hours non stop, so probably a bit longer than that with kids. I'd allow about 5 1/2 hours.
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BugTeeny
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Posted: 17 February 2011 at 1:59pm |
*cry*
Thanks for your feedback 
Dreading this...
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tictacjunkie
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Posted: 17 February 2011 at 2:12pm |
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It's quickest, imo, if you head south from tauranga via Rotorua, Benneydale etc, out 8 Mile junction, that way you avoid Te Kuiti & most of the traffic. Just make sure you have a good map between 8 mile & Benneydale or you can end up on your way to National Park like I did once, oops. (It was very late night, raining, & the sign had been taken down, Grr). If you pack your own food & drink Piopio has a nice playground to stop at. We allow 5hrs to get from NP to Te Puke, with a stop. Hth
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Whateversville
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Posted: 17 February 2011 at 2:15pm |
 tictacjunkie wrote:
or you can end up on your way to National Park like I did once, oops. |
We did too on the way to Whakatane. Been 9yrs since we last went and missed the turn off hehe. Easier to miss it on the way from Np then on the way back
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_Lou_
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Posted: 17 February 2011 at 6:24pm |
I've done that drive via Te Kuiti a couple of times and from memory around 4 - 4.5 hours Good luck
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naki_mum
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Joined: 02 March 2009
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Posted: 17 February 2011 at 7:20pm |
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It has never taken me longer than 4.5hours. I used to do this trip once a month. It will depend on stops but I have always found that I can manage with only one stop with the kids.
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my4beauties
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Joined: 01 January 1900
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Posted: 17 February 2011 at 7:25pm |
Dh did it in 3.5 hours, and that's to the Mount (so 20 mins from Tga). I think there is a couple of ways you can go though, he must've taken the quicker way.
eta: Dh isn't a rally driver either, he's a very cautious driver.
Edited by my4beauties
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My babies: R (9),G (7), J (5) 
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minik8e
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Posted: 17 February 2011 at 9:39pm |
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When I went to Tauranga in December, it took me 4.5 hours but there was a lot of roadworks and the Kaimais were on a caution because of something spilled on the road. I stopped at Mokau and Te Kuiti for a toilet stop as well. That was just cruising, but I do know the gorge and Mt Messenger very well.
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tictacjunkie
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Posted: 18 February 2011 at 12:54am |
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Hmm yes my DH can do Stratford to Tauranga in 3.5hrs going via rotorua, but that's him being heavy-footed in a 4wd work vehicle. He does that trip frequently too though, much quicker when you know the road. MamaPickle, the wedding's not at Pukekura Park is it?
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AandCsmum
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Posted: 18 February 2011 at 7:32am |
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Was going to say, don't end up on the forgotten highway lol
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Kel
A = 01.02.04 & C = 16.01.09 & G = 30.03.12
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Tauranga to New Plymouth
