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.
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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
Piopio - Waitanguru - Mairoa - Piopio. Quiet loop road with some gravel and outstanding scenery. Travel time 1.5 hours with options to extend.more
Scenic Drive 2 - Short Route
Piopio - Mairoa - WaitomoExtensive views of the North King Country. Travel time one hour.
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Scenic Drive 3 - Loop Road
Piopio - Aria - Mokauiti - State Highway 4 - Piopio. Sealed roads, pastoral landscapes. Travel time 1.5 hours.more
Scenic Drive 4 - Short Loop Road
Piopio – Aria – Mahoenui – Piopio. Country vistas. Travel time approximately 50 minutes.more
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.more
Scenic Drive 6 - Route
Piopio – State Highway 4 - Ohura – Whangamomona – Stratford. The Forgotten World Highway. Travel time eight hours.more
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.more
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