New Zealand's best 4WD tracks, according to Land Rover
Sunday, 26 December 2021
Travelling off the beaten path is something most Kiwis love to claim they do, but how often is it really true?
In a country full of utes and SUVs and home to some of the most scenic and exhilarating 4WD tracks around, there’s no excuse to keep a 4WD on sealed streets. After all, the more capable ones are built for tackling challenging conditions, and getting off-road is one of the best parts of owning one.
Our friends at Land Rover New Zealand think that this summer is the perfect time to take your 4WD off the suburban streets and truly put it to the test on New Zealand’s best tracks, and to steer you in the right direction, they have put together a list of some of the top 4WD spots, along with maps highlighting some of the country’s best off-roading destinations. So here are Land Rover’s picks for really getting away from it all:
1. Woodhill Forest
Aucklanders are perhaps the guiltiest of owning at 4WD and only ever driving it on gridlocked motorways. Fortunately for them, Auckland is home to the world-class off-road venue at Woodhill Forest, just 40 minutes drive from the city.
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Drivers can put their vehicles to the test through forests, sand dunes, water, and mud. Just be sure to run it through the wash before getting back on the streets of Ponsonby.
2. 42nd Traverse
The 42nd Traverse is a one-way 46km track through the Tongariro Forest Conservation Area, open to 4WD vehicles between 1 December and 30 April.
The track presents challenging terrain through native forest, over rock, clay, and river crossings, all with incredible views back to Tongariro National Park. Take the road-less-travelled on your next road trip through the central north island – just allow an extra 4 to 6 hours to do it.
3. Takapari Road
About an hour north of Palmerston North, the off-road track on Takapari Road offers some amazing views of Horowhenua and northern Wairapara.
Take the Ruahine Forest Park boundary to the summit of the southern Ruahine Range (14.8km) – just be wary of the steep ascent and as always, be sure to check the road status before setting off.
4. Goldfields Track
For the more technically skilled off-roading enthusiasts, Goldfields Track north of Takaka is an excellent option.
Open all year round, the 11.4km track is suitable for adventurous drivers that are willing to tackle sections with challenging obstacles.
5. Huxley Valley Tracks
Beat the hikers and take the driver’s track up to Monument Hut from Lake Ohau Road.
The 9km route on gravel tracks to the hut offers amazing alpine views and not too challenging tracks for those looking for an entry to off-roading.
6. Eyre Mountains
There’s 4WD access to all of the main valleys in the Eyre Mountains, ranging from formed, metal roads, to off-road tracks at a range of difficulty levels. The Mt Bee 4WD track is a scenic option, offering views over Southland.
The track is on private property, so be sure to gain permission before accessing it.
Exploring New Zealand’s off-roading options is an exhilarating experience. From Northland to Southland, New Zealand has an array of 4WD track options with a huge amount of variety.
Whether beach driving, taking on mud tracks, or river crossings, there are plenty of options to get a 4x4 where it was built to go.
When taking the road-less-travelled, remember to be mindful of others that are sharing the trail and if possible, travel with two or more vehicles on tracks for a quick recovery if one gets stuck.