Allow me to introduce you folks to our new travel community: TravelTalk NZ.

We hope to see you there!

If you want honest reliable advice from an expert, head to http://4wdsouth.co.nz/index.php

Mark Wilson's book "4WD South" contains 115 surveyed and graded tracks (easy, medium, hard, extreme etc). This means you can pick tracks according to your equipment and experience, rather than relying on advice from a random and finding yourself in deep water (maybe literally). Earlier versions of the book also have basic 4WDing hints, tips and tricks to get out of a bind. Not sure if the current version of the book has this but I expect so.

The difficulty rating of many tracks will also change throughout the year - that track recommended to you as safe and easy by someone who visited it in February could be a altogether different beast by the time you visit in August as the weather and ground conditions will be completely different.

Not knowing your level of expertise and equipment makes it a bit harder for anyone to make a good recommendation. I personally would not go out the back of beyond by myself - I'd always have at least one more vehicle with me.

The one time I did go out in a single vehicle was over 2 decades ago - got rescued by the Westpac chopper and no I don't want to talk about it 😉

Wheelbarrow01:

 

If you want honest reliable advice from an expert, head to http://4wdsouth.co.nz/index.php

 

Mark Wilson's book "4WD South" contains 115 surveyed and graded tracks (easy, medium, hard, extreme etc). This means you can pick tracks according to your equipment and experience, rather than relying on advice from a random and finding yourself in deep water (maybe literally). Earlier versions of the book also have basic 4WDing hints, tips and tricks to get out of a bind. Not sure if the current version of the book has this but I expect so.

 

The difficulty rating of many tracks will also change throughout the year - that track recommended to you as safe and easy by someone who visited it in February could be a altogether different beast by the time you visit in August as the weather and ground conditions will be completely different.

 

Not knowing your level of expertise and equipment makes it a bit harder for anyone to make a good recommendation. I personally would not go out the back of beyond by myself - I'd always have at least one more vehicle with me.

 

The one time I did go out in a single vehicle was over 2 decades ago - got rescued by the Westpac chopper and no I don't want to talk about it 😉

 

Thanks for the URL! That will be handy. 😀

Wheelbarrow01:

 

The one time I did go out in a single vehicle was over 2 decades ago - got rescued by the Westpac chopper and no I don't want to talk about it 😉

 

.. and now I REALLY want to know

frankv: Molesworth station. 2wd is possible in summer. Bonus is Hanmer hot springs at the southern end.

None of these are around Q'Town, but you might be passing nearby.

Rainbow station - from Nelson lakes to Hanmer.

Mesopotamia Station (Canterbury High Country) if you can get permission.  I used to top hunt there decades ago.  Don't know what the access situation is nowadays.

Maungatapu track - 4WD only backroad between Nelson and Marlborough, although you can only get as far as the saddle at the moment

Thanks for all the suggestions. This will likely be our route. Been down there a couple of times but never with my own vehicle, which will be nice as I'll have time to explore.

sud0:

 

Thanks for all the suggestions. This will likely be our route. Been down there a couple of times but never with my own vehicle, which will be nice as I'll have time to explore.

 

It looks like you will be driving SH1 between Blenheim and Kaikoura in both directions.  Swapping out one of those journeys for the Molesworth would make sense.  It takes you to Hanmer -  about 90 minutes to ChCh.  The Molesworth has some nice, open country scenery. 

The Molesworth and all the tracks I recommended in my previous post are easy tracks - safe to do with one vehicle.  

Another one is the track from Lake Monowai to South Manapouri.  This is a road put in for servicing the power pylons.  Again an easy 4WD track, but gets you into proper backcountry, with little side walks if you feel inclined. Take Sandfly Repellent

https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/fiordland/places/fiordland-national-park/places-to-go/lake-monowai-borland-road-area/ 

MikeAqua:

 

sud0:

 

Thanks for all the suggestions. This will likely be our route. Been down there a couple of times but never with my own vehicle, which will be nice as I'll have time to explore.

 

 

It looks like you will be driving SH1 between Blenheim and Kaikoura in both directions.  Swapping out one of those journeys for the Molesworth would make sense.  It takes you to Hanmer -  about 90 minutes to ChCh.  The Molesworth has some nice, open country scenery. 

 

The Molesworth and all the tracks I recommended in my previous post are easy tracks - safe to do with one vehicle.  

 

Another one is the track from Lake Monowai to South Manapouri.  This is a road put in for servicing the power pylons.  Again an easy 4WD track, but gets you into proper backcountry, with little side walks if you feel inclined. Take Sandfly Repellent

 

https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/fiordland/places/fiordland-national-park/places-to-go/lake-monowai-borland-road-area/ 

 

Very interesting! I put the route in Google maps. Do you think it can be done in a day (to Hanmer Springs)? or would you recommend camping in the way?

I think I'll do it!

Acheron Rd, through Molesworth, is closed until Labour Day.

BlinkyBill:

 

Acheron Rd, through Molesworth, is closed until Labour Day.

 

😢

Sorry, missed the August part.