Banks Peninsula 4WD only Tracks (NOT)

billyvanboheman · Post by **billyvanboheman** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 9:15 pm

Went for a rece drive today, for some time I had looked at the 4WD only tracks on banks peninsula and thought I should check those out seeing they are at our door step.
I had the latest Pathfinder map book that still shows the four tracks I tried as 4WD only but I gather itâ€™s defiantly only a guide.
We started with the Western Valley Road from the Port Levy end, it didnâ€™t start well as when we first got onto the gravel road section a later model Honda Civic passed us heading out of the track.
I thought it may have come from a farm closer to the end of the road and it may actually get more difficult, but alas when we were close to the saddle not only had it stayed tame, but we encountered another Honda, late model Accord this time heading the other way, I guessed this was defiantly going to be tame and that was the theme for the rest of the day, we also travelled Harmans Track, Pettigrews Rd, and Middle Rd and had no better luck on them either, did see a Honda Civic at the start of Harmens Track ( I was thinking this must be a jinks) but there were no Hondas on the other two, only a Mitsi Diamante on The last road into Duvauchelleâ€™s.
Oh well, at least I have now travelled a few more roads than I had before and can now confirm that all the mentioned roads are in my opinion not 4WD only.
And even though my better half has a Honda Civic, they are a jinks on a 4WD track.
I did get to put the Isuzu in 4WD once for the day, it was only to have a play on a rock at the top of Western Valley Road, I was trying to show the lack of flex for the show us your flex, but it was a bit of a disappointment.

kiwipete · Post by **kiwipete** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 10:31 pm

Have driven quite a number of tracks around Banks Peninsula in recent times in my 4x4 and as part of my working career in bigger trucks. There are some tracks that are grass / clay and definatley are 4x4only, some not reccomended in the wet at all as mentioned in Ken Sibleys book(s).

Here is a pic of the trails I have been on, you should get a rough idea where they are.

There are some wonderful views to be had on thePeninsula Trails all the same. The green trail was done over two days, everything from brilliant sunshine to snow on that trip.

Elmo · Post by **Elmo** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 8:02 am

Peter, that orange track, heading South west looks tricky! :-D

kiwipete · Post by **kiwipete** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 9:26 am

Had to do that one in the dark too

albundy · Post by **albundy** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 5:24 am

Try them with 2-3 feet of snow on them and lets see how big ya balls are :lol:

Al

kiwipete · Post by **kiwipete** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 5:36 am

There was about 2M of snow on them in the 96 snow storm, now that was tricky going.

krawlr · Post by **krawlr** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 5:59 am

good gravel down there !

done all those roads on my ktm...

you guys head up and over to magnet bay etc ?

kiwipete · Post by **kiwipete** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 9:32 pm

krawlr wrote:good gravel down there !

done all those roads on my ktm...

you guys head up and over to magnet bay etc ?

Yup been there in the past, infact I think I have been into most of the Bays at some time with my work. Its a pity I now work in a different dept as knowledge of local farmers now would help immensley for aqccess to some of the farm tracks that are not likley to be used by us non farmers.