Opononi Hotel . We ’ ve stayed here on a number of adventure tours , the hotel units up the hill offering stunning views of the great Hokianga sand dune , especially early in the morning when the sun hits it and the white sand contrasts vividly with the very blue harbour . Time for the obligatory fish and chips at the Opononi Beach Takeaways , washed down with a few ales at the famous waterfront hotel . Because of the lastminute nature of this adventure , I ’ d quickly put together a selection of gravel tracks the day before departure without worrying too much about the timeframe to do it all , so while prepping for day two we realised we needed to do as we ’ d done on day one and cull some of the action . As such , the Horeke to Mangamuka to SH10 roads will be locked in for next time . Plan made – roll on day two .
DAY TWO Sadly , the next morning heralded a sea mist , so there would be no hero pics of the dune and harbour this time . We headed to Kaikohe for a fuel up , then turned south at Moerewa on a route we hadn ’ t ridden before . Snowdon Rd onto Otiria , then Pokapu , Matamaia-Maromaku and Pipiwai Rds . Wow , apart from some very deep gravel early on that really had me wishing for a proper knobbly front , this route was all fantastic , flowing rural gravel backroads . After a few more great roads we hit SH14 and Maungatapere , followed with a coffee stop at one of my fav ’ stops , The Office Café . The afternoon promised to be another highlight , having travelled many of the gravel sections in previous rides . After a blast along SH14 toward Dargaville , we turned left at Tangiteroria , through Omana and back down to Waiotira , using the fantastic Omana and Pikiwahine and Mititai Roads , then south on Ararua before winding up the switchbacks at the start of Bull Rd . This one is a must do , offering stunning views across the region as you flow across the ridgeline . Finally , Arcadia and Porter Rds take you through to the seal