Length:

24 km

Termini:

Northern: SH1 and Lake Rd, Horsham Downs

Southern: SH1, Tamahere

Miscellaneous:

Route includes: Māngaharakeke Drive, Lincoln Street, Greenwood Street, Kahikatea Drive, Lorne Street, Normandy Avenue, Cobham Drive and Cambridge Road

Suburbs, Towns & Localities Along Route:

Horsham Downs, Horotiu, Te Rapa, Rotokauri, Nawton, Frankton, Melville, Bader, Hamilton East, Hillcrest and Tamahere

Current:

1 C

Former:

1

Multiplexed with:

General Information:

State Highway 1C once formed part of the main route throughout New Zealand, covering both the north and south islands. It now operates a western bypass of the city of Hamilton and alternative route to the Waikato Expressway (SH1) to the east.

The route is a mix of multi-lane urban arterial road, expressway and motorway standards. It passes through rural, commercial and industrial zones.

Thermal Explorer Highway, for 24 km, between Horsham Downs and Tamahere.

2010: Construction commenced on the 10 km Te Rapa Bypass between Horotiu and Rotokauri. ¹

December 2012: Te Rapa Bypass opened to traffic. ¹

12 July 2022: Completion of the eastern bypass of Hamilton. ² SH1 was later relocated onto the new alignment, and the old route renumbered to SH1C.

Tamahere to Horsham Downs

Advance Direction Sign:

AD sign on Cambridge Dr (SH1C) at Hillcrest, approaching Morrinsville Rd, March 2025.

Image © Krysten Pratt

Advance Direction Sign:

AD sign at Hillcrest approaching Cambridge Rd, March 2025.

Image © Krysten Pratt

Advance Direction Sign:

AD sign at Melville approaching Normanby Av, March 2025.

Image © Krysten Pratt

Horsham Downs to Tamahere

Advance Direction Sign:

AD sign on Cobham Dr (SH1C) approaching the UR4 section of Cobham Dr, Hillcrest, March 2025.

Image © Krysten Pratt