Did you know the best safest easiest stress-free uncrowded scenic route from Turangi to Auckland does not pass through a single town? So many regular fishy inmates have raved about this option that it is time everyone else knew. (The only condition using it is that you have to stay at TRM. OK?)

This is only of interest to tourists or regular fishos visiting Turangi from the north. The best route to or from Auckland is to avoid Taupo… (Sorry David!) The frustrating delays behind timber trucks and tourists’ motor homes on SH1 are such a nuisance for motorists these days. They arrive emotionally exhausted to complain to SWMBO about the excessive use of orange road cones for the endless road works and traffic queues causing delays adding to the additional driving bumper-to-bumper stress on SH1. It is too dangerous. TRM inmates prefer to relax and enjoy the drive.

As usual, SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed is Traffic Manager at TRM) has the solution.

To head north from Turangi take SH41 west towards Taumaranui. Then at the Kurutau junction turn right onto SH 32 around the western side of Lake Taupo to Whakamaru (about one hour or 90 km from Turangi). Then follow the directions and turn right towards Tokoroa. All googled maps prefer this route.

But the trick is to turn left before SH1 and Tokoroa onto the Old Taupo Road – see map above. This extends north parallel with SH1 to avoid the long slow drag through Tokoroa, Putararu and Tirau. It is a delightful winding scenic country road through typical Waikato farmland where the usual traffic hassles disappear. It eventually links to Arapuni where a turn left and right leads onto Horahora Road up the eastern side of the Waikato River where it widens past the Karapiro rowing course before joining SH1.

If, by then, you need a pee stop or caffeine fix then the Rhubarb Cafe – photo below – is conveniently located at Arapuni. Miss out the turn onto Horahora Road and continue to the tiny Arapuni village. After refueling, return to Horahora Road north.

Then finally join SH1 and after a few km it turns into the (110km max speed!) motorway, bypassing Cambridge and Hamilton, through to Auckland.

According to Google it is only 4 km shorter, but the main benefit is the relative lack of traffic volumes (- less than 10% of SH1) – reducing stress levels and making it far safer and more enjoyable. From Turangi to Cambridge is 2 hours 12 minutes either way, 178 km via Old Taupo Road & SH32 or 182 km via SH1. The SH32 option is more like driving was supposed to be enjoyed in the 1960’s.