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 Whakaipo Bay finish and get a bus to the start. Times listed below are when you will leave Whakaipo Bay. If you are being dropped off at Whakaipo Bay, please make sure your driver waits until the bus has departed because the road in and out is narrow and we don't want those nasty traffic jams in little old Whakaipo 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.”
| Event | Departure Time | Departure Location | Destination | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100km* | 04.00am* | Taupō i-site* | 100km Start | $40 |
| 100km | 04.00am | Whakaipo Bay | 100km Start | $30 |
| 70km | 07.00am | Whakaipo Bay | 70km Start | $20 |
| 50km | 09.00am | Whakaipo Bay | 50km Start | $25 |
| 24km and Pacers | 10:45am | Whakaipo Bay | Kinloch Community House - 24km Start | $20 |
* 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 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 & 70km 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
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.)