Kauarapaoa Road winds through the hills out the back of Whanganui in the Manawatu-Whanganui region, making for a relaxed scenic drive. It's a well-maintained gravel road that runs through native bush and farmland, with stunning views and plenty of spots to pull over and take in the scenery or check out old structures along the way. Keep an eye out for deer, and look for Bushy Park Sanctuary and the Waitahinga Trails walking track on the route. Allow a few hours so you can explore some of the side roads too. One side road drops down into a valley with an earth bank on the left guarding a sheer 30-40 m drop to the river, so take care there. The road eventually ends at a locked gate with a private property sign and a small turning area. Sections of the road are fairly narrow with limited room to pass, so keep an eye out for logging trucks and local traffic.