Thanks, I did look at that map before I asked, Havent been on those roads before, and the recomended road looks a lot longer than the road going though Havelock! would I be right thinking the havelock way would be a bitch of a road!
jmma,
Nov 14, 9:00pm
Sorry, don't know the answer to that one, but that would be my guess as well. Someone that knows the road will be along shortly (o:
franc123,
Nov 14, 9:00pm
No matter which way you go you still have to go through Havelock.It depends really on whether you want to do the scenic route through QC drive on a winding road or else go down to Spring Creek/Raupara Rd and reconnect to Hwy6 north of Renwick and look at farmland and a heap of vineyards on flat and straight roads.Not all of QC drive is winding there is a sizeable flat part in the middle somewhere if memory serves, and a similar amount of time is involved.
mileyfan73,
Nov 14, 9:06pm
In a 50 seater coach the main highway to Rapaura Rd then to Spring Creek then left to Picton would be a better option.The QC Drive through Linkwater is a narrow hilly winding stretch that goes on for about 26 k's and even in a car has some dicey corners.The other way is pretty much flat and straight the whole way.
mk3zephyr,
Nov 14, 9:07pm
if you are driving a coach dont take the Queen Charlotte drive route, it has a lot of real twisty corners and would be a nightmare in a Coach, it is bad enough in a 4WD with racecar transporter on the back. Your best bet would be to head towards Blenheim and then turn right at Spring Creek, that will take you onto the Rapaura straights and you come out on the western side of Renwick, Turn right and follow the road through to Havelock, Canvastown, Rai valley which is pretty flat all the way and then you have the Rai and Whangamoa saddle to contend with, once over them whangamoa's its pretty flat into Nelson. When you turn right at the End of the Rapaura straights you go over the Wairau river bridge, nelson is 100km from there, Also Pelorus bridge is a good place to stop for Smoko, Just dont go the Queen Charlotte way, you will definately regret it in a Bus. Have a great trip
mileyfan73,
Nov 14, 9:09pm
Oops had you going the other way Nely to Picton lol.Still,personally would take the main highway route,picton-spring creek,hang a right onto Rapaura rd then right again onto highway to nelson.
don_logan,
Nov 14, 9:13pm
Thanks a lot guys, really appreciate the advice.
jmma,
Nov 14, 9:16pm
Just knew they wouldn't be to far away, enjoy your trip.
don_logan,
Nov 14, 9:25pm
Will do thanks. its weird, all the online maps I can find are saying to go through Wairau valley and down highway 63. then comes back up through Brighwater and Richmond. Does seem along way around.
i-n-horz,
Nov 14, 9:48pm
Yeah the Wairau route is slightly longer but far less of a climb and not as winding as the Whangamoas as you go over to Belgrove-Brightwater and not as busy either.still nice scenery.
mk3zephyr,
Nov 15, 5:49am
Whangamoa's and Rai Saddle arnt that bad, Done the trip quite a few times towing a stockcar. Rather go that way than through Wairau valley, Brightwater/Richmond etc etc, Biggest climb really is coming back to Picton. don_logan , have you ever been over Mt Messenger in North Taranaki!, if so the climb up the whangamoa's coming back to picton is similar, its not that bad tho, See most intercity coaches going that way anyway
andydlm,
Nov 15, 5:57am
This way.
i-n-horz,
Nov 15, 6:18am
Done both routes a few times myself truck'n,your right mk3 the Moa's & Rai aren't bad at all but if your on holiday and have the time don't want to swing the wheel as much or be eyeball'n rearend traffic my choice would be Wairau.each to their own.as for intercity,cost effectiveness and pick-up drop-offs would determine their route.
gusthe1,
Nov 15, 6:30am
Not this way. Op is going Picton TO Nelson.
mk3zephyr,
Nov 15, 6:55am
could go one way and come back the other, thats if they are coming back lol
don_logan,
Nov 15, 7:16am
Thanks again. Lots to think about here, I'm liking the longer straight route. May go one way and come back the other as suggested. 50 car sick kids would wreck my day, so the easy path could be the best. We are going Picton, Nelson, Motueka, Hamner Springs then Kaikoura and then back to Picton during the week.
i-n-horz,
Mar 3, 4:44am
Great idea mk3.seeing more of this beautiful country of ours.
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