Eighteen kilometres of gravel winding through the hills around Port Waikato, climbing over the peaks for big views across logging and farm country. Plenty of spots to pull over and take it in, and on a clear day it's a cracker. Recent logging in places opens up the outlook even more.

It's a cruisy, well-maintained drive that doesn't need 4WD in good conditions. People have done it in everything from small hatchbacks to an X-Trail, and it's popular with motorcyclists. That said, it's steep in places, narrow on some bends, and there are cliff-edge sections, so keep your eyes on the road. Works nicely as a way to skip a long stretch of seal too.

Klondyke Road is a public road, but you'll share it with plenty of livestock and wildlife. Goats, sheep, lambs, the odd wild pig, plus local farm vehicles. Drive slowly and watch for oncoming traffic on the blind corners. Good easy run for families.