Scenic Drives

Scenic Drives

Get off the busy highway and explore Piopio's country roads. Many of these roads are also ideal for mountain biking.
These routes showcase our scenery including waterfalls, limestone rock formations, native reserves and the beautiful black sand beaches of the wild west coast.

Portable Document Format (PDF)ScenicRoutesBrochureWeb (733kb)
 
 

Photo Gallery

 

Safety

In New Zealand, always drive on the left. Drive carefully on gravel roads, especially around corners. Watch out for farm vehicles and animals on the road. There are few petrol stations, so keep an eye on your tank. And bring a picnic hamper, there will not be a café in sight.

Scenic Drive 1 - Loop Road

Scenic Drive 1 - Loop Road

Piopio - Waitanguru - Mairoa - Piopio. Quiet loop road with some gravel and outstanding scenery. Travel time 1.5 hours with options to extend.
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Scenic Drive 2 -  Short Route

Scenic Drive 2 - Short Route

Piopio - Mairoa - Waitomo
Extensive views of the North King Country. Travel time one hour.
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Scenic Drive 3 - Loop Road

Scenic Drive 3 - Loop Road

Piopio - Aria - Mokauiti - State Highway 4 - Piopio. Sealed roads, pastoral landscapes. Travel time 1.5 hours.
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Scenic Drive 4 - Short Loop Road

Piopio – Aria – Mahoenui – Piopio. Country vistas. Travel time approximately 50 minutes.
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Scenic Drive 5 - Route

Scenic Drive 5 - Route

Piopio – Awakino – Mokau – New Plymouth via State Highway 3. Stunning coastal scenery and views of Mt Taranaki. Features native bush reserves, river gorges, black sand west coast beaches, spectacular coastline. Driving time approximately two hours.
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Scenic Drive 6 - Route

Scenic Drive 6 - Route

Piopio – State Highway 4 - Ohura – Whangamomona – Stratford. The Forgotten World Highway. Travel time eight hours.
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Scenic Drive 7 - Long Loop Road

Scenic Drive 7 - Long Loop Road

Piopio – West Coast – Forgotten World Highway – Piopio. Combines some of the best features of Scenic Drives 5 & 6. Travel time eight hours.
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