Along the Wilberforce, one of the high country's big braided rivers, there's no fixed track to follow. The water flow shifts constantly, so you read the river bed and pick your way through, keeping clear of the deep and soft sections.

The channels spread across a wide, gravel-strewn valley with mountains all around, and the drive changes every time you come through. Because the river reshapes itself with every flood, the line you took last visit may have moved or vanished altogether. You need to be confident choosing lines and sizing up crossings.

Best for drivers who are happy with braided-river navigation. The payoff is a proper trip through classic Canterbury backcountry, with the satisfaction of working out your own way across.