Ernie's Place is a scenic backcountry drive through a remote Taranaki valley, winding out across rugged hill country with awesome views the whole way. It's a genuine adventure into wild, hillbilly country that's well worth the trip when the weather plays along.

The surface is a mix of silt and clay, so in true Taranaki style it turns into a slippery mess the moment any water gets on it. Take care, as in places the track runs close to a cliff edge with very little margin for error when things get greasy. In the dry it's a well-maintained, easy-graded cruise; some drivers recommend wide mud tyres if you want extra grip.

The track passes through private land, so stay on the route, leave gates as you found them and don't disturb any stock. The road closes over winter (1 April to 1 November) to protect the surface and keep people out of trouble.