Through the heart of Pureora Forest Park, a well-formed gravel road runs to the geographic centre of the North Island. The bush is the main event here: big rimu trees, well-kept walking tracks, and plenty of birdlife, with kaka calling overhead.

It's an easy run, generally fine in 2WD even in the wet, though the road is potholed in places so take your time and enjoy the surroundings. There are heaps of side tracks and offshoots worth exploring, good camp spots at either end, plus a restored caterpillar crawler, a dozer and some old tractors worth a stop. Hunting is on too.

A short walk (10 to 15 minutes) leads to the centre marker, but signage for the turnoff is poor and there's no cell reception, so download a map before you head in. There's also a lookout tower that rises above the canopy for a view of the native birds from above, and you can walk to the top of Mt Pureora from the road. A good detour off the highway and a neat piece of the country.