Maratoto Loop

[Chewy69a]

Hi All,

Planning on going in to do the loop on 14th March and maybe overnight down near the stream / shack.

Last time I was there was on quadbikes a few years ago and we went in a clockwise direction, I remember thinking that it would be hard yakka with my Safari.

Can anyone with experience advise which would be the easiest way to go, I am leaning towards anti - clockwise.

Is there a way you have to go? ,I don't recall seeing any signage specifically about this.

Also any updates on the track condition would be appreciated. I know it isn't a walk in the park but we are sufficiently prepared thanks.

[stovanovich]

There's about to be a whole lot of work done in there bud. I'd recommend checking in with Tony Burgess from NZ4WDA as he's the man behind it. You don't wanna get stuck in there behind an earthmover

[Chewy69a]

There's about to be a whole lot of work done in there bud. I'd recommend checking in with Tony Burgess from NZ4WDA as he's the man behind it. You don't wanna get stuck in there behind an earthmover

Thanks, I've called the hotline over the weekend and there wasn't any mention of that.

I'll call the hotline again before we depart of course.

[LR90NZ]

Was up there yesterday.

Track up to Tairua River was fairly easy going. No winching or recovery required.

Walked about 1.5kms or so of loop in anti clockwise.
Some deep holes to get through so a good reliable winch a must.

Plenty of gouges in the banks from panels and bar work and plenty of 'broken off' parts lying on the track from panel steel, to mirrors, etc.

Some of the cuttings through the bogs are very narrow so if attempting it in a vehicle like a Nissan, then expect some serious panel damage.

Summary; if you don't value the body work on your vehicle then it's a must do. Don't think it will matter which way you do it, the outcome will be the same.

[Mudde1]

There's about to be a whole lot of work done in there bud. I'd recommend checking in with Tony Burgess from NZ4WDA as he's the man behind it. You don't wanna get stuck in there behind an earthmover

We wont be taking any machinery into the loop road for the foreseeable future. Any work on the main access track will most likely be on week days so a trip up the main track and around the loop at the weekend shouldn't be a problem.

Tony Burgess
NZFWDA

[mudtroll]

Anti clockwise, easier to go down the rock garden.

[DieselBoy]

There's about to be a whole lot of work done in there bud. I'd recommend checking in with Tony Burgess from NZ4WDA as he's the man behind it. You don't wanna get stuck in there behind an earthmover

We wont be taking any machinery into the loop road for the foreseeable future. Any work on the main access track will most likely be on week days so a trip up the main track and around the loop at the weekend shouldn't be a problem.

Tony Burgess
NZFWDA

Ohhhh, keep us updated on the work, keen to go in once it's done

[Chewy69a]

There's about to be a whole lot of work done in there bud. I'd recommend checking in with Tony Burgess from NZ4WDA as he's the man behind it. You don't wanna get stuck in there behind an earthmover

We wont be taking any machinery into the loop road for the foreseeable future. Any work on the main access track will most likely be on week days so a trip up the main track and around the loop at the weekend shouldn't be a problem.

Tony Burgess
NZFWDA

Many thanks for clarifying.

[Chewy69a]

Anti clockwise, easier to go down the rock garden.

Cheers that's what I was thinking is the "defining" part of the loop, I'd rather go up the log than up that chasm mudslide full of rocks lol.

Appreciate the confirmation.

[Chewy69a]

Some of the cuttings through the bogs are very narrow so if attempting it in a vehicle like a Nissan, then expect some serious panel damage.

Summary; if you don't value the body work on your vehicle then it's a must do. Don't think it will matter which way you do it, the outcome will be the same.

I have a big fat Nissan and its already been to hell and back but will no doubt get some more love on the loop. I kind of like my dents, they all carry fond memories lol.

[stovanovich]

I kind of like my dents, they all carry fond memories lol.

Don't we all, I have a nice one on Drivers side guard from when she almost went over (I prefer the dent over the alternative)

[Craydiver]

going up there soon too.
i'll let you know whats its like

[Craydiver]

5 trucks did the loop anti clockwise on sat.
Couple hrs with a few winches.
First time for me on the loop, great track really enjoyed it
i m in a saf with exo, no probs with width,
You,ll need capable trucks.

[Chewy69a]

5 trucks did the loop anti clockwise on sat.
Couple hrs with a few winches.
First time for me on the loop, great track really enjoyed it
i m in a saf with exo, no probs with width,
You,ll need capable trucks.

Cheers, thanks for the update.

We have been preparing our trucks over the last couple of weeks to head in there this Saturday coming.

We're heading in with 3 trucks, a Safari, 70 and a 40 series truck all on 35's with electric winches so provided we don't have any mechanical issues should be sweet as.

[mudlva]

5 trucks did the loop anti clockwise on sat.
Couple hrs with a few winches.
First time for me on the loop, great track really enjoyed it
i m in a saf with exo, no probs with width,
You,ll need capable trucks.

Cheers, thanks for the update.

We have been preparing our trucks over the last couple of weeks to head in there this Saturday coming.

We're heading in with 3 trucks, a Safari, 70 and a 40 series truck all on 35's with electric winches so provided we don't have any mechanical issues should be sweet as.

hope you all are running roof bars cause you will need them


ask me how i know

[mudtroll]

We have been preparing our trucks over the last couple of weeks to head in there this Saturday coming.

We're heading in with 3 trucks, a Safari, 70 and a 40 series truck all on 35's with electric winches so provided we don't have any mechanical issues should be sweet as.[/quote]


Got room for another truck to join you? Safari, have roof bars

[Ashohman]

tracks not that bad I did it with craydiver and wasn't at any point fully on my side I herd it can get quite bad in there where you are basically running on your side or point of your roof and top of the door but I didn't have any real issues asides from the rocks that jump out and push in your passengers door. popped out all good though.

[3VILC]

I think this is on the must do list after the trucks had some more tame test runs. This is the one also referred to as 'the wires' correct?

[Mudde1]

I think this is on the must do list after the trucks had some more tame test runs. This is the one also referred to as 'the wires' correct?

In the area known as Maratoto is Wires Road. At the end of Wires Road, is DoC land and the Whangamata (4x4) Track starts (some maps show the name as Maratoto track). This track finishes just past the Taura River where it becomes a walking track which carry s on down the Wentworth valley.
There is a walking track starting at the end of Wires Road called Old Wires Track, which follows the route of the original telegraph line and joins Whangamata (4x4) Track about 1 km from the Taura River.

The loop Road starts on the Whangamata (4x4) Track near the Taura River and loops back across Taura River to Whangamata (4x4) Track near the end of Old wires walking track.

[DieselBoy]

And there's not just 4wd to be had. There's a derelict steam engine in the bushes, a short way down the walking track are a whole section of old pack horse steps cut into the rock on a hill climb, there's foundations from a water wheel and other emplacements where the loop crosses the river. Buried in the scrub at the shelter at the river are two Trams that go towed up there. That's a an indication of how good the road was

Lots of other hidden gems if you have one of the old pre DOC maps put together by Sue Waterhouse too

[3VILC]

I'll have to go up when s few others are going of course, but baby steps, get it tested first haha. Pretty much only got to put the rebuild kit in the front hubs now.

[tuff lux]

I'll have to go up when s few others are going of course, but baby steps, get it tested first haha. Pretty much only got to put the rebuild kit in the front hubs now.

just say the word we will be keen ..

Hi All,

Planning on going in to do the loop on 14th March and maybe overnight down near the stream / shack.

Last time I was there was on quadbikes a few years ago and we went in a clockwise direction, I remember thinking that it would be hard yakka with my Safari.

Can anyone with experience advise which would be the easiest way to go, I am leaning towards anti - clockwise.

Is there a way you have to go? ,I don't recall seeing any signage specifically about this.

Also any updates on the track condition would be appreciated. I know it isn't a walk in the park but we are sufficiently prepared thanks.

how'd it go??? any pics

[3VILC]

I'll have to go up when s few others are going of course, but baby steps, get it tested first haha. Pretty much only got to put the rebuild kit in the front hubs now.

just say the word we will be keen ..

Sweet will do, just need to find something closer and a bit more tame for a test run first, always wanted to do this track just never been too keen in a daily driver, but now I have an almost finished trailer truck..
Like these few "forgotten" tracks where you can spot remnants of activity long since gone

[Chewy69a]

Pick which side of your truck you hate the most...

[Chewy69a]

I was a bit hopeless and forgot to take more pics but heres a few.

We had a couple of mechanicals during the day which cost us some time on the loop and came out just before dark. - boody Landcruisers both did CV's didn't they...

Not too much damage, one broken window + CV on the70.

The 40 did a CV, then after completing the loop and camping overnight the chev decided it didn't want to run on Sunday morning so I line towed him the whole way out to Paeroa behind the Safari.

A few more dents in the Saf but I removed my taillights, front indicators and grill once we made it to the Tairua stream shack / campsite otherwise would have been up to replace the lot I think lol.

I managed to debead the Safari tyres 3 times but was quick with the engine start and my dive bottle to pop them back on and carry on. I had to do 75 the whole way home coz there were some huge lumps of mud in the rims (inside the tyre) which I couldn't get out before I beaded them up again. How bad could this have been you ask - it was almost jumping off the ground at 80 kph!

Hard on the gear...

[Mattman]

Awesome!