The Geographic Center of the North Island is located in the Pureora Forest Park northwest of Lake Taupo and can be accessed via either SH30 or SH32. To get to the Center of the North Island itself requires parking in a car park and walking 300 metres to the actual point which is marked by a small obelisk with information about how the point was located.
The forestry roads are smooth, flowing, and fairly well kept but as this is a working forest and a popular tourist spot so be cautious of logging trucks and campervans on the roads. There are a number of DOC campsites and huts located in the Pureora Forest Park which could make a pleasant overnight stop.
DOC information for the Pureora Forest Park
Contributed by: @eddieb
Track type: Gravel road
Track composition: Smooth, Firm, Flat
Slippery when wet?: Yes
Suitable for bikes <650cc? Beginner
Suitable for bikes >650cc? Beginner
River crossings? No
I did this one 3 days ago. The weather was wet but it did not deter me from having some fun. The ride is twisty gravel and occasional sand and mud in the wash-out areas. There was some 4wd traffic and some trampers so watch out for them. I did the whole track and detoured to the centre of NI as well, there is a YMCA hut there as well as amazingly managed to get a phone signal there to check my maps.
There are a lot of minor tracks that come off the main one and they look as if they could be fun if you have time and the skill, as invariably they look narrower and more rutted. They are also a few off road zones near the track about this size of couple of tennis courts where you can try your hand at mud and sand and off-roading skills.
I stayed at the camp site Kakaho Campsite. in Pureora Forest Park. DOC and cheap at 10$ night. Long drop toilets but no water that I could find. A nice site though with plenty of room.