Where a good place to go

[Utter_Nutter_NZ]

Hi all,

I've just bought a Pajero 96 3.5 and I've got all the outdoor gears but does anyone know of a good website to find locations for a newb to go off road in the North Island - I'm thinking the typical scene of a river, tent, my beers, fishing and my 4*4. oh yeh, and the lady.

I would rather plan a trip than just hit the road and see where it takes me however I'm sure getting lost could be a good idea, I doubt my girl friend would think so ).

Any help would be appreciated. (I live in Welly).

[albundy]

When I moved to NZ I listened to what people told me over time especially in the pubs and made contacts. Joining a club helps as well. Start with the basic 4wd guide books then you will begin to find places as you explore. It won't all come overnight. My last trip only open up more access and land then I can explore in the next 4 years. And who said NZ was too small.
Al

[wopass]

no idea about where to go wheelin in welly but i do know theres heaps of places to go as when i was down there last,as we were flying in i could see soooo many cool fun looking tracks to go playing in/on, rivers all over the place to looking up etc was very cool seeing them from a birds eye view . get yourself a good topo map of the area and go from there,most of the tracks on the topo's are either gated or you need permission to cross private land to use the paper roads but well worth the effort to find neat spots to camping/fishing/drinking/r#@%ing with the missuz ... will have a look nd see if i cant find a good topo of welly for ya...watch this space........

.........

[wopass]

found welly on my topo soo many fun looking places so i have just drawn a circle around some that i think look interesting,theres a few guys in welly on here that can possibly shed some light on this matter



food for thought

[ramon]

Check this place out, it is miles from anyware with good fishing and some good tracks (walking & 4x4)
http://www.lake.co.nz/

also check out the local clubs for thier trips

http://www.ccvc.org.nz/

[eatenfuller]

theres some awesome 4wding in wellington.................but where woopass has marked is pretty tame the odd river bed etc.if you want a good local spot try akatarawa road,aka odlins rd(tararua ranges)head to the summit for access and theres a few tracks in there.(its about 45 min on a windy rd from upper hutt)

i have heaps of rellys in wgtn so quite familar with tracks etc up there ,but my cousin is out in the bush most weeks,hes the one to talk too.

alot of places are granted special access(clubs etc)but one of the best trips ive done years back with a club called windy city(yakka only club)was at a place called the rallywoods(coramandel/kamai type mud)

[Utter_Nutter_NZ]

Thanks all for your thoughts. Much appreciated.

[DaveM]

Try getting in touch with these guys:
http://www.wgtnfamily4x4.com/portal/Hom ... fault.aspx

May be able to tag along on a trip with them, and they are a good bunch of guys. Club has a capped membership, so no big lines, and a lot less political BS that other clubs have.

[eatenfuller]

that club is maxxed out (no more members)

i think steve should try and join show those fags a real mu

[doddzee]

http://www.ccvc.org.nz shows some places where you can go.

CCVC has many trips catering to all levels so that could be a good starting point for you to find out where you can go.

[Utter_Nutter_NZ]

Thanks all, thats ample to get me started - My next query would be planning a trip. I noticed via the ccvc site there was a simple trip through Shannon to a dam (By Palmerston North - Mangaore).

I guess arranging entry to these places is an issue - I use to wait outside a farmers house at the Terawhiti station who would show up after about 2 hours and let me and my friend through. Do you need local knowledge or would I call the local Shannon pub who might be kind enough to give the number of the person to call to open the gate - if there is a gate.

It seems I can easily plan a trip but finding out about land access is the issue - I would hate to travel 4 hrs to look at a gate

Any thoughts on that one?

[doddzee]

Sounds like it would be easier for to join a club, Acess is not an issue and there are always people to help you out when you get stuck.

[eatenfuller]

for shanon info try the manawatu 4wd club they will know


but i will tell you with confidence that the akatarawa road (tararua ranges)has no gate and is open to the public 24/7 and if youre into hunting its also popular for that too.

so get youre a into g brother and go lock those hubs in.

[Cloggy_NZ]

I back Odlins Road too.
Just be a little careful. There are some mighty big drop offs down there. There has been a fatality in there only a couple of weeks ago when someone slipped of the track.
But it is a fairly entertaining trip. Eleven kays in from the start (at the summit of the Akatarawa Hill Road) you will reach the saddle of Renata Ridge. Carry on through the tank traps and follow the track downhill. Andy Cockroft wrote in one of his books you needed to be suicidal to carry on past this point but since that was written the track has been improved substantially by the hard work of local 4wd's. Once you reach the valley floor you are greeted by Waiotauru Hut (a possible overnight spot) but I would carry on through the river. Once on the other side follow the track but keep an eye out for a track dropping of the main track on your left probably about a kay and a half after crossing the river. This is where you need to turn off. It is a tight, rutted and muddy shortcut through the trees back onto the riverbed. From here follow the riverbed until you find a camping spot that takes your fancy. By now you are about 25 kay from the top of the Aka summit. It is pristine and rugged down in there. Absolutely fantastic.

But to get access to some perfect four wheel driving join one of our local clubs. Windy City if you are into hard yakka stuff only or CCVC if you like the scenic trips with the option of hard yakka if you so desire. CCVC also organises long weekend away up country on a regular basis.

Cloggy