Holiday driving is more fun on the scenic routes. This week the Herald explores interesting alternative roads
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State Highway 2 is the much-travelled main road between the Wellington-Wairarapa area and Napier-Hastings.
But there is an alternative. Try Route 52. This used to be a designated provincial highway, but the NationalRoads Board removed the designation and the funding because the road did not carry enough traffic.
These days the all-tarmac route services only the rural community of northern Wairarapa and southern Hawkes Bay.
You are not going to make quick travel times, but it is an enjoyable drive and far from the madding crowd.
From the northern end of Masterton follow the Route 52 signs to Te Ore Ore and then through Alfredton and Pongaroa.
When you get to Weber, turn right and head for Wimbledon. Continue north to Wallingford and on to Waipukurau, where you can rejoin State Highway 2.
If you want to avoid the traffic as much as possible, go right off State Highway 2 in Waipawa, follow the signs to Patangata and then use Middle Rd, which takes you all the way into Havelock North.
The early settlers in the southern North Island planted a lot of English trees to remind themselves of home, and the scenery is well worth a look.
It is about 250km from Masterton to Hastings-Havelock North by this route. Allow four hours for driving, plus time for stops.
If you are starting in the Hawkes Bay, just reverse the route directions. Use the AA Wellington-Wairarapa and Hawkes Bay-Manawatu district maps to follow the route.
