Tauranga to New Plymouth
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Category: General Chat
Forum Name: General Chat
Forum Description: For mums, dads, parents-to-be, grandparents, friends -- you name it! And you name the topic you want to chat about!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=38054
Printed Date: 28 August 2025 at 10:55pm
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Topic: Tauranga to New Plymouth
Posted By: BugTeeny
Subject: Tauranga to New Plymouth
Date Posted: 17 February 2011 at 12:42pm
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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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Replies:
Posted By: karenb_chch
Date 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 ... ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Whateversville
Date 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. |
Posted By: millymollymandy
Date Posted: 17 February 2011 at 1:13pm
| 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. |
Posted By: BugTeeny
Date Posted: 17 February 2011 at 1:59pm
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*cry*
Thanks for your feedback 
Dreading this... -------------
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Posted By: tictacjunkie
Date Posted: 17 February 2011 at 2:12pm
| 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 |
Posted By: Whateversville
Date Posted: 17 February 2011 at 2:15pm
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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tictacjunkie wrote:Posted By: _Lou_
Date Posted: 17 February 2011 at 6:24pm
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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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Posted By: naki_mum
Date 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. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: my4beauties
Date Posted: 17 February 2011 at 7:25pm
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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 ------------- My babies: R (9),G (7), J (5) http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: minik8e
Date Posted: 17 February 2011 at 9:39pm
| 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. |
Posted By: tictacjunkie
Date Posted: 18 February 2011 at 12:54am
| 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? |
Posted By: AandCsmum
Date Posted: 18 February 2011 at 7:32am
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Was going to say, don't end up on the forgotten highway lol ------------- Kel http://lilypie.com"> 
A = 01.02.04 & C = 16.01.09 & G = 30.03.12 |