Transport

GETTING TO TAUPŌ

INTERNATIONAL VISITORS FLYING INTO AUCKLAND AIRPORT

• Option 1: Rent a car or campervan and drive South to Taupō. It is a 3-4 hour drive from the airport depending on the traffic out of Auckland.

• Option 2: Take a Shuttle bus from the Auckland Airport to Taupō.

• Option 3: Bus from Auckland Airport to Taupō

• Option 4: Fly from Auckland domestic airport to Taupō (30 mins)

• Option 5: Put a post on our Facebook page and see if you can get a ride with someone

BUS TRANSPORT TO RACE STARTS

Leave your car at the finish line at Whakaipō Bay and get a bus to the start. Times listed below are when you will leave Whakaipō Bay.

Whakaipo Bay Recreation Reserve, Taupo, 3385 - this is approx. 20mins drive from Taupō town. Please allow yourself plenty of time to get parked, and to the bus stop in time for it’s departure.

If you are being dropped off at Whakaipō Bay, please make sure your driver waits until the bus has departed because the road in and out is very narrow and we don't want those nasty traffic jams in little old Whakaipō Bay.

If you have already completed your event registration and would like to now purchase a bus ticket, you can do so through by selecting “My Account” on your confirmation email, or by creating account online here : https://portal.totalsport.co.nz/.

Create an account and password, and this will allow you to manage all your Total Sport events.
Select your Taupo Ultramarathon event ticket and use the red “Make Changes” button to “Add Items to Ticket.”

* Only use this bus if you want to be picked up in Taupō and have arranged for someone to collect you at the finish or have alternative transport home after the race.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS FROM TAUPŌ TO RACE STARTS

From Taupō to the 100km race start car parking at 3687 Western Bay Road (Allow 1 hour from Taupō)

Head out of Taupō to the Thermal Explorer Highway go across the control gate bridge and head up the hill for 1km. Turn left into Poihipi Road, travel along Poihipi Road for approx 9.8km then turn left into Whangamata Road travel along Whangamata Road for approx 28km. Turn left onto Western Bay Road (signs for Turangi/Taumarunui/Great Lake Trail/Waihaha). Travel along Western Bay Road for approx 12km you see the event signs turning you into the car parking. There will be a free shuttle from the car parking to the 100km startline for all participants and spectators. Return shuttles will be available for spectators after the 100km start.

You will not be able to park or be dropped off at the 100km start line.

From Taupō to the 70km race start at 395 Hingarae Road ( Allow 40mins from Taupō)

Head out of Taupō to the Thermal Explorer Highway go across the control gate bridge and head up the hill for 1km. Turn left into Poihipi Road, travel along Poihipi Road for 9.7km, then turn left into Whangamata Road, travel along Whangamata Road for approx 27.5km to the Western Bay Road junction. Turn left on to Wester Bays Road and travel for 10km before taking a left turn on to Hingarae Road. Approximately 4km up this road you will find the event site. Follow parking signage on the day.

From Taupō to the 50km race start at the Airstrip 1654 Whangamata Road (allow 30 mins from Taupō)

Head out of Taupō to the Thermal Explorer Highway go across the control gate bridge and head up the hill for 1km. Turn left into Poihipi Road, travel along Poihipi Road for 9.7km, then turn left into Whangamata Road, travel along Whangamata Road for approx 17.3 km until you see the event signs turning you into the Airstrip at 1654 Whangamata Road - just past the carpark for the K2K Great lake trail.

From Taupō to the 24km start at Kinloch Domain (allow 20mins from Taupō)

Head out of Taupō to the Thermal Explorer Highway go across the control gate bridge and head up the hill for 1km. Turn left into Poihipi Road, travel along Poihipi Road for 9.7km, then turn left into Whangamata Road, travel along Whangamata road for 7.5km until you take a left turn on to Kinloch Road. Head in to Kinloch village and follow event signage to the parking area.

From Taupō to the finishline at Whakaipo Bay (allow 15 mins from Taupō)

Head out of Taupō to the Thermal Explorer Highway go across the control gate bridge. Take the first exit on your left (follow the signs to Acacia Bay) travel along Acacia Bay road until you see Mapara Road on your right take Mapara road until you see a sign pointing to Whakaipo Bay and the start of the W2K trail. Travel down the narrow gravel road for about 1 km to the finish line. (Please take care on this road as it is narrow and there will be traffic both ways)

From Taupō to the relay changeover stations
Relay changeover point 1
End of Hingarae Road. Head out of Taupō to the Thermal Explorer Highway go across the control gate bridge and head up the hill for 1km. Turn left into Poihipi Road, travel along Poihipi Road for approx 27.1 km then turn left into Marotiri Road travel along Marotiri Road for approx 5km. Turn left into SH32 travel approx 19 km along SH32 until you reach the Hingarae Road, travel along Hingarae road for 5.3km. Turn left into the farm and follow signs to parking.

Relay changeover point 2
From Relay changeover point 1. Head out of Hingarae Road to SH32 turn right onto SH32 drive along SH32 for 10.2 km, then turn right into Whangamata Road, travel along Whangamata Road for 10.2kms until you see race signs for the 50 km start. Please take care on Whangamata road as there will be runners and traffic and this is a narrow winding road.

Relay changeover point 3
Turn right out of the driveway into Whangamata Road. Drive 9.8km before turning right into Kinloch road (follow signs to Kinloch) after 2.1 km turn right to stay on Kinloch Road, turn left into the Domain carpark

(These are suggestions only, please consult a map for specific directions.)