Offroad-Express

Hi All

We are couple from the UK, who are passing through New Zealand in new the year for three months.

We plan to start in Auckland (our vehicle is already there and waiting in storage), head up to the top and zip zag our way down to the south island.

Previously we drove from the UK to Australia and will be spending some in NZ before heading off to the Americas.

We are looking to enjoy a lot of the NZ scenery and try to keep of main tourist routes where possible on both islands.

Any tips on routes etc would be appreciated or meeting up to drive some local routes and share a few beers on our way through.



Martin & Nicole

Hi and welcome , we just put this trip together for Tim from Somerset
http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/ ... =9&t=38321, perhaps you would like something similar, I'm sure Tim would fill you in on what to expect and what it was like for him
take the time to read the lot there is some pics at the end
cheers
Greg

Molesworth station (top of south island) would be a good trip for you,

If you can let us know some rough dates / schedule we can try and fit trips round you

Keep an eye on your truck in Christchurch theres a big theft problem there, also welly and auckland (happens as well)

Cool pic. pretty much a perfect wheelbase for the boat XD

Can't really go wrong in NZ. Follow your nose, take as many side roads and little walking tracks towards creeks/rivers/mountains etc as time allows and you'll have a ball.

Drop us a line on your way through Picton and I'll help you drink a few beers and maybe head down the sounds?

Hi,
we live in Whangarei and would be happy to show you around some of Northland if we can work around our work? We also belong to one of the local clubs so may be able to assist with others perhaps being able to work in with your schedule? What sort of vehicle will you be using and what sort of trips would interest you? How many are in your party? What sort of accomadation will you be using? Perhaps you could PM me if you want.

Welcome, if you are coming through St Arnaud in Nelson Lakes National Park let me know and I maybe able to help show you some of the back roads.
And the Rainbow is much better than the Molesworh

Hi Martin & Nicole,,

All the people I have meet will over here have been fantastic

Am sure between the posters above, they will get you off the beaten track, and away from the tourist routes ,, loads to see and do,, 3 months may just do some of it

Regards. Tim

Hi All, Thanks for all the replies and the offers to meet up.

We are both really looking forward to NZ,

We will definitely let each of you know as we head in your direction,

@WRNGLR looks like it was a great trip, would be great to do something similar

@Jerry, Suza & Taz, we are planning to be at the top of the south island around the first week of February, I have read Clarence Valley - via Blind Saddle should be open around that week too.... have either of you travelled that route before?

@Coljag We will be up in the northland in the first week of January, there's just two of us driving an old 3.0TD 1KZ Toyota Colorado (UK), australian prado, with lift & snorkel. We have a roof tent so would like to use that as much as possible. We are looking for some touring & off road driving, beach, forest, valleys, mountains, rivers etc (our vehicle is quite heavy loaded though)

Martin & Nicole

Mart456 wrote:Hi All, Thanks for all the replies and the offers to meet up.

We are both really looking forward to NZ,

We will definitely let each of you know as we head in your direction,

@WRNGLR looks like it was a great trip, would be great to do something similar


@Coljag We will be up in the northland in the first week of January, there's just two of us driving an old 3.0TD 1KZ Toyota Colorado (UK), australian prado, with lift & snorkel. We have a roof tent so would like to use that as much as possible. We are looking for some touring & off road driving, beach, forest, valleys, mountains, rivers etc (our vehicle is quite heavy loaded though)

Martin & Nicole

Tim stayed here at the camp grounds,
https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Ashhu ... 6947880644

http://www.aatravel.co.nz/main/listing. ... gId=252285

which is close to my place, you are welcome to offload anything into my shed while you drive the rivers and tracks we can take you on.
Will be safe all locked up
let me know some dates you will be in the Palmerston North , Manawatu area and I'll plan a trip for you if you like.
cheers
Greg

Mart456 wrote:
@Jerry, Suza & Taz, we are planning to be at the top of the south island around the first week of February, I have read Clarence Valley - via Blind Saddle should be open around that week too.... have either of you travelled that route before?

Nope. Might be doing it on the 17th/18th of Jan though. From all accounts it's a cruisey and epicly scenic run. No doubt busy though.

Should be a pretty good run down of it on here:

http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/

Passed a tourist board for Clerance Vally etc today, on the way down fron Hanmer Springs,, looks good,, think there was mention of a permit needed to drive it with 4x4,s plus they allowed camping, preferably near the trekking huts that are on the route

As far as I'm aware you can apply for permits to hunt, but it's only open to 4x4's for a few weekends of the year. DoC site will have the details if you're interested.

This a trip we did last summer around the top of the South Island, should give you an idea of good places to go and things to see.

Rainbow road
Clarence Valley
Marlborough sounds
French pass

And lots more..............

http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/ ... =8&t=34588

Cheers,
Pete.

He's a link to a trip we did in 2012 around West Coast, Haast and Otago in the Sth Island.

More ideas for you:

http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/ ... =8&t=30634

Pete.

[@Coljag We will be up in the northland in the first week of January, there's just two of us driving an old 3.0TD 1KZ Toyota Colorado (UK), australian prado, with lift & snorkel. We have a roof tent so would like to use that as much as possible. We are looking for some touring & off road driving, beach, forest, valleys, mountains, rivers etc (our vehicle is quite heavy loaded though)

Martin & Nicole[/quote]

Hi Martin,
sounds like we might be able to help. I am thinking maybe using Whangarei as a hub and going over to Riparo Beach (West coast) for a day, a farm trail near Tutukaka for a day, maybe a trip up to Kaitaia incorporating Ahipara & 90 mile beach and possibly the Takahue saddle if time and tides permit. May mean staying in Kaitaia a night or two? This would all be within the limits of your vehicle. Please advise me exact dates etc so I can organise with land owners etc. You would be welcome to camp at our home in Whangarei for some of the time up here if you want? We have a fairly flat lawn and good old Kiwi hospitality. LOL. If you PM me I will give you our e-mail address and contact details.

Clarence Reserve open weekend dates are 10 – 12 Jan, 17 - 19 Jan, 24 – 26 Jan, 31 Jan -2 Feb, 7 – 9 Feb. From DOC Marlborough office...