Tauranga #

Unfortunately there’s no good safe route that directly connects Rotorua and Tauranga. You can take SH 36 (Tauranga Direct Road), but it’s busy and very narrow. Instead, the recommended route is to go via Paengaroa and then take the cycle path beside the new expressway to Papamoa, and from there you can make your way to the Matapihi Railway Bridge which takes you directly into Tauranga City. Here’s the suggested route:

The route through Papamoa is a bit messy, but there are lots of cycle paths you can take to avoid the main roads. Make sure you don’t do what I did and try riding down Papamoa Beach Road — the traffic is insane. Once you’re past Bayfair, the rest of the ride is awesome.

If you need a more direct route, you can try taking SH 36, but there’s no avoiding the Mangorewa Gorge or around 30 kilometres of busy narrow roads:

However, you can avoid much of the main road around Lake Rotorua, and Taumata Road is a wonderful respite from the traffic.

Note that there may be better options once you get to Oropi. You could also take Mangatoi Road just past the TECT park, and head down towards Te Puke. That road is highly recommended, though once you get to Te Puke you’re still a long way from Tauranga.