Macetown trip?

[action man]

Want to go to macetown on first 4WD trip by myself, got winch, camp/fish gear etc just a standard 4WD, I think there will be some fords and hills I'm not actually sure just wanna go for the hell of it and see how the 4wd goes, new (well a 1998) jeep grand cherokee ltd I'm only 23 out of uni, anyone keen or any tips let me know thanks

[Petemcc]

doubt you will need the winch but be careful if you don't have a snorkel as some of the crossings can get deep but you will be fine if you pay attention and read the river

[furnace]

I was there in March,the track is in good nick, keep a eye on the weather as the rivers can get very high.. i had 2 goes at going up there as the first time it was raining and the rivers were up [ elbows touching the water going under the pipe line...lol..] meet the tour guide coming back and they hand pulled the pin,so i came back and went the next day the water was still up to the windscreen on a couple of crossings BUT good as coming home. [ the rivers go down quickly ]
It is a neat drive up there and the history is amazing..go to Arrow Town museum they have a small booklet that explains all the places on the way up ...ENJOY..ps i think there is about 22 river crossings all up

[SMOKEY]

action man you may be but by the sound of your ability and your vehicle I think you should walk before you run, join a club or at least get a couple of trips under your belt with some experienced 4WDers, river trips can be fun but also trouble for the inexperienced. Have you prepared your Jeep ????, petrol motors don't like water in their electrics and no motor likes water in the air intake. Jeep auto transmissions take on water very easily ask yeti. Have fun but get it right or you will need deep pockets.

OH TO BE 23 AND BULLETPROOF ----- AGAIN,

FITZY.

[yeti]

x2 on what fitzy said.....

and that wasnt even in the river....

join a club ,learn ,then start on the heep.....

[furnace]

I sort of agree but not entirely..see if you can go maybe with a couple of mates and any of the crossings that look a bit deep just walk them first..it is not a tuff 4x4 trip .. the club thing is a personal thing [ i prefer not to as i like being on my own ] BUT i would suggest though if you are going to do a bit of 4x4ing definitely do a course they are very very worth while...

[NJV6]

Macetown is a great drive. It is about an hour in and an hour out but well worth exploring more by foot, the booklet mentioned is great, if you don't know what used to be there then the place is meaningless.

The river is low and crossings all have firm bottoms ( ). It is clear also, if it is dirty then go to the New Orleans pub in Arrowtown instead. Your Jeep will blitz in there, colours are great now too.




If you are still not sure, go in a weekend - someone will come along shortly who is going is and ask to follow them, or just follow them in.

[furnace]

Macetown is a great drive. It is about an hour in and an hour out but well worth exploring more by foot, the booklet mentioned is great, if you don't know what used to be there then the place is meaningless.

The river is low and crossings all have firm bottoms ( ). It is clear also, if it is dirty then go to the New Orleans pub in Arrowtown instead. Your Jeep will blitz in there, colours are great now too.




If you are still not sure, go in a weekend - someone will come along shortly who is going is and ask to follow them, or just follow them in.

Yes Yes and Yes ..lol..good point on the weekend thing ..it really is a great drive..just a small point, the rivers don't have to be dirty to be deep..best bet is walk if unsure..they usually not deep at all though...easy 4x4ing....ps nice photo's...a little misleading as there are a couple of crossing that are deeper than photo's

[SMOKEY]

furnace, I know where you are coming from regarding clubs and doing your own thing, and NJV6, you two have done a lot of off road miles and both of you have owned and maintained a few 4WD's , I'm going by action man's other posts and don't want him to end up in a situation that may put him off 4WDing and or get hurt.

TO BE FOREWARNED IS TO BE FOREARMED,

FITZY.

[furnace]

furnace, I know where you are coming from regarding clubs and doing your own thing, and NJV6, you two have done a lot of off road miles and both of you have owned and maintained a few 4WD's , I'm going by action man's other posts and don't want him to end up in a situation that may put him off 4WDing and or get hurt.

TO BE FOREWARNED IS TO BE FOREARMED,

FITZY.

Fair enough...Smokey..
Nothing against Clubs,really enjoy there company at times..i'm just a bit of a loner,i'm the same with my bike as well...lol.. ..BIG BUT here i do carry a lot of good recovery gear,you have to when on your own..Will admit that have been in the odd situation where another 4x4 would have made things a lot easier & safer

[p tommy]

Hey I was also considering going for a trip into Macetown as my dad is keen to go in again and I have never been in there before. I have a Hilux Surf diesel with snorkel, 2in sus lift and on 31" muds. The only issue I'm having with the idea is the possibility of the river being high this time of year. I have done trips with river crossings and the deepest has been over the bonnet, but I'm not too keen on getting into something too deep this time as I will be by myself. Without another vehicle I'd only have a hand winch and recovery strops if I got into trouble. Also the forecast is for rain this week and I was planning on going in on the 19th.

Any advice on going/calling it off would be much appreciated

Cheers

[NJV6]

The river is really low at this time of year. There is no snow melt and the winter it hardly comes up less alot of warm rain. There was a Toyota Highlander heading in there the other day

[evyauto]

I may possibly be heading up there tomorrow with my wee boy for a look if anyone is keen, have done the trip far to many times as of late but giving the wife the day off for mothers day so need to fill it in somehow

[muddyplumber]

im really keen to go in there at some stage as iv never done any 4wdn down that far and it looks amazing.Have a highly modded zuk/hybrid that iv just gotta finish.got to fit front arb and winch etc

[evyauto]

im really keen to go in there at some stage as iv never done any 4wdn down that far and it looks amazing.Have a highly modded zuk/hybrid that iv just gotta finish.got to fit front arb and winch etc

If you down this way and this goes for anyone, give us a yell and could get a few of our clubs trucks together and go see some of the tracks around the area.