4WD Tracks in Otago

Ahuriri River valley

Ahuriri River valley in Otago is a remote high-country drive past Horseshoe Lagoon and Ahuriri Base Hut, doable in a stock 4WD with good fishing along the way.

Auripo Road

Auripo Road is an easy, scenic Otago farmland drive on a smooth formed road, with a shallow ford crossing and hawks overhead.

Bendigo Loop Road

Bendigo Loop Road is a short Central Otago gravel detour out to the old Bendigo gold-mining locality through dry tussock-and-schist country.

Blackstone Hill Runs Road

Blackstone Hill Runs Road is an easy Central Otago farmland drive linking Thurlow Road to the main road, with rolling pasture and big open skies.

Blue Mines Road/Logantown

Blue Mines Road to Logantown is an Otago goldfields track through dry tussock hills, with gold-rush ruins and open views over Lake Dunstan.

Braemar Station Road

Braemar Station Road is an easy gravel cruise along the quiet eastern shore of Lake Pukaki, with big views across to Aoraki/Mt Cook.

Brown Hut Track

Brown Hut Track is a high-country side route in Otago's Oteake Conservation Park, looping through open tussock country past Brown Hut.

Cardrona Ski Field

Cardrona Ski Field road in Otago is an easy, well-formed climb above the Cardrona Valley with big alpine views, suited to most capable vehicles.

Carricktown

Carricktown is a steep, rocky low-range crawl through old Otago goldfields, linking the Nevis Valley to Cromwell with big views and gold relics.

Cluden Valley Road

Cluden Valley Road climbs through the northern Dunstan Mountains in Central Otago, linking SH8 to the Manuherikia Basin over open tussock tops.

Coal Pit Road

Coal Pit Road is an Otago climb to Coal Pit Saddle near the Gibbston Valley, now graded to a steep medium gravel run with big valley views up top.

Crawford Hills

Crawford Hills is an easy, well-formed gravel road through the Otago hills, with smooth going and picturesque views back to the east.

Danseys Pass

Danseys Pass is an easy Otago gravel road over a 935m high-country pass, with open hill scenery and a famous historic pub to stop at along the way.

Deep Creek Road

Deep Creek Road is a remote Otago high-country route over smooth gravel and dirt, linking into Onslow Lake Road past old gold-mining relics.

Dingle Burn Station Road

Dingle Burn Station Road is an easy Lake Hawea gravel drive in Otago, leading to a quiet, secluded lakeside spot with big high-country views.

Dobson Valley

Dobson Valley is a remote Otago high-country route through Glen Lyon Station, with farm track and unmarked river crossings that suit well-prepared 4WDs.

Dublin Bay

Dublin Bay is an easy Otago gravel run out to a Lake Wanaka beach, with mountain views and shady parking for a swim or picnic.

Dublin Bay Track

Dublin Bay Track is an easy lakeside drive round Lake Wanaka in Otago, with clear water, mountain views, and plenty of shoreline access points.

East Manuherikia

East Manuherikia is a Hard-graded Otago 4WD route through the Oteake Conservation Area, with river crossings, deep ruts and big high-country views.

Falls Dam

Falls Dam is an easy Central Otago gravel drive that follows a stream up to a 1935 hydro dam and powerhouse, suited to most vehicles.

Falls Dam lake

Falls Dam lake in Otago is an easy short detour off the main road into Maniototo high country, with old cribs, huts and quiet lakeside views.

Flanagan Pass/Greta Track/Dorcy Stream

Flanagan Pass in Otago is a steep climb to an old airstrip, with deep ruts and bog at the start and big views over Lake Oahu the whole way up.

Forks Hut Track

Forks Hut Track is a rough, hard-grade run through the Mavora Lakes 4WD area in Otago, with dense scrub, a rocky creek crossing and a remote backcountry hut.

Fraser Dam

Fraser Dam is an easy gravel climb up to the dam near Alexandra in Central Otago, with lovely return views over the town and surrounding country.

Gardiners Track

Gardiners Track is a rough, muddy Otago hills 4WD run rated medium to hard, with a deep bog hole halfway that rewards careful line choice.

Garibaldi Diggings

Garibaldi Diggings is a medium-grade Otago 4WD run climbing from gravel to open grass, past old gold-era relic huts, with big ruts and rocks along the way.

Glenorchy to Paradise

Glenorchy to Paradise is an easy Otago gravel road with shallow ford crossings and big mountain views through Lord of the Rings filming country.

Goodger Road

Goodger Road is a rough gravel backcountry run through the open Otago hills, with climbing views and a steady, untechnical drive best suited to 4WDs.

Grreenstone Station Road

Greenstone Station Road is an easy Otago high country gravel drive down to the Greenstone River with big Lake Wakatipu and mountain views.

Hawkdun Runs Road

Hawkdun Runs Road is an Otago high country gravel-and-farm track out to Homestead Campground near Falls Dam, with a ford crossing and big hill views.

Hawksburn Road

Hawksburn Road is an easy, scenic Central Otago farm and gravel route linking Alexandra, Clyde and Bannockburn, with big views and a Nevis Road connection.

Home Hills Runs Road

Home Hills Runs Road is an easy Otago gravel track climbing into Oteake Conservation Park, with wide high-country views and a loop around the dam.

Hut Creek

Hut Creek is a rocky, remote 4WD track through inland Otago tussock country, dropping down to a basic backcountry hut that marks the end of the line.

Johnstons Creek

Johnstons Creek is a tough high-country 4WD climb onto Otago's Hawkdun Range, with steep shaley going, deep washouts and huge views over the Ida Valley.

Kinvara Road

Kinvara Road is an Otago 4WD climb up the Rock and Pillar Conservation Area, with switchbacks to a flat tussock ridge and big alpine views.

Kyeburn Track

Kyeburn Track is a rough Otago high-country route along a ridge beneath Mount Kyeburn, with rocky going and bog holes, suited to capable 4WDs.

Lake Ohau Road

Lake Ohau Road is an easy Mackenzie country gravel run along the lake, ending in minor stream crossings before the Hopkins track turnoff.

Lake Onslow Road

Lake Onslow Road is a remote Otago gravel route climbing through tussock and farmland to the lake, a workable medium-grade drive for capable 4WDs.

Lake Pukaki view point

Lake Pukaki view point is an easy Mackenzie Country spur dropping to the turquoise lakeshore with big mountain views, fine for most vehicles.

Lauder Basin

Lauder Basin is a very-hard Otago high-country route over Lauder Station, with tussock tops, gorges and rocky tors, for capable 4WDs by DOC consent only.

Lauder Hut

Lauder Hut is a short Central Otago run up into dry tussock high country, crossing private farmland with big open views.

Linnburn Runs Road

Linnburn Runs Road is an easy gravel run through Central Otago high country, linking Old Dunstan Road with Onslow Lake Road via Deep Creek Road.

Loganburn Dam

Loganburn Dam is a short, easy Otago high country run to the Great Moss Swamp reservoir, with tussock, schist tors and the Sentinel Rocks nearby.

Long Valley Ridge Road

Long Valley Ridge Road is a gravel high-country route into Otago's Serpentine Scenic Reserve, with open tussock tops, gold-mining history and big range views.

Macetown

Macetown is an Otago 4WD classic above Arrowtown, with 20-plus Arrow River crossings, tight cliffside track and historic gold-mining ruins at the end.

Macetown (Lower Route)

Macetown's lower route in Otago is the harder of the two approaches, with deep river crossings, tight sections and views up to the old township.

Manorburn Dam

Manorburn Dam is a remote Central Otago gravel route climbing through tussock and rocky crags to a still 1914 dam, with old huts and cribs to explore.

Mavora Lakes Road

Mavora Lakes Road is a rough 40km gravel run up into the Southland high country, reaching into Otago, ending at the lakes and campsite.

Mavora Lakes to Boundary Hut

Mavora Lakes to Boundary Hut is an Otago 4WD track along North Mavora Lake, with beech forest, tussock, clear river crossings and big valley views.

Meads Road

Meads Road is an easy Otago gravel run along Lake Hawea from The Neck out to Kidds Bush Reserve Campsite, through beech bush with side tracks to the water.

Moke Lake

Moke Lake is a short, steep gravel climb near Queenstown in Otago, leading to a remote DOC-style campsite with big valley views.

Moutere Disputed Spur Road

Moutere Disputed Spur Road is an easy Otago farmland cruise with rolling pasture and big open views, suited to a relaxed outing rather than technical driving.

Mt Buster

Mt Buster is a rough, rocky high country climb in inland Otago to big tops views, old gold workings and huts, for clearance-capable 4WDs.

Mt Moka

Mt Moka is a short, seriously steep Hard climb off Thompsons Gorge in Central Otago, with spectacular views from a high, exposed top.

Nevis Valley

Nevis Valley in Otago is a remote high-country drive over the country's highest public road, with gold mining relics, river crossings and huge views.

Obelisk

Obelisk is an easy, scenic Central Otago 4WD climb to a 27m rock formation, with big views over Alexandra and the basin and a few gates along the way.

Old Dunstan Road (Northern section)

Old Dunstan Road's northern section is a long, remote Central Otago gravel route through tussock high country, easy going bar a ford crossing.

Old Dunstan Road (Southern section)

Old Dunstan Road's southern section is an iconic gold-era run across high tussock country in Central Otago, rated easy to medium.

Old Faithful Road

Old Faithful Road is an easy gravel run through Otago's Lindis high country, tracing the river valley out to the historic Lindis Hotel campsite.

Old Man Range

Old Man Range is a high-country Otago drive climbing over 1682 metres, with big tussock views up top and a rougher, rutty descent towards Piano Flat.

Old Woman Range Track

Old Woman Range Track is a remote Central Otago gold-mining route climbing to 1750m, with rough rocky going, big views and barren, exposed tops.

Otamatapaio River

Otamatapaio River is an Otago high-country 4WD track running through open tussock alongside the river to a car park deeper in conservation land.

Paerau Power Station

Paerau Power Station in Otago's Maniototo is a short tussock-country access road down to a hydro station on the Taieri River.

Paerau Road

Paerau Road is an easy gravel route through the open tussock hills of Central Otago, linking the northern and southern Old Dunstan Road.

Philips Road

Philips Road is a quiet gravel run through Otago farmland, an easy alternative to a stretch of highway with open rural country either side.

Piano Flat

Piano Flat is an Otago drive through beech and tussock to a riverside DOC camp, with a remote, demanding 4WD through-route to Roxburgh beyond.

Rees-Dart valley

Rees-Dart valley near Glenorchy in Otago is a remote alpine drive with easy gravel to Muddy Creek, then deep river crossings into the Southern Alps.

Remarkables Ski Field

Remarkables Ski Field road is an easy sealed-and-gravel climb above Queenstown with sweeping views over Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding ranges.

Rock And Pillar Ridge

Rock and Pillar Ridge is a high 15 km Otago tops run climbing to 1,450 m, with big ridge views, mud holes and ruts, best in dry summer conditions.

Routeburn

Routeburn is a short, easy gravel drive up to a high-country campsite in Otago, with big views and access for most vehicles.

Sanders Road

Sanders Road is a short gravel climb into the Otago high country toward Lake Onslow, with big tussock views and easy going for capable vehicles.

Serpentine Road

Serpentine Road is a hard, boggy Central Otago 4WD run out to a historic gold mining church, deep bog holes and high country, dry conditions only.

Serpentine Scenic Reserve

Serpentine Scenic Reserve in Central Otago is a remote high-tussock 4WD track leading to a historic gold mining site and the old Union Church.

Skippers Canyon

Skippers Canyon Road is an Otago gravel drive above Queenstown, narrow with huge cliff drops and rich in gold-mining history, fine for stock 4x4s.

Skippers Creek

Skippers Creek is a short, rough 4WD track through open Otago high country, running out to a historic dam before dropping into the creek itself.

Smiths Road

Smiths Road is a short gravel and dirt climb in Otago heading toward Lake Onslow, with open high-country views and easy going for most 4WDs.

St Bathans Downs Road

St Bathans Downs Road is an easy Central Otago gravel route into the historic gold-mining settlement, with open tussock and valley views.

St Bathans Loop Road

St Bathans Loop Road is a relaxed Central Otago drive through tussock hill country, with wide Manuherikia Valley views and the historic township nearby.

Swamp Hut

Swamp Hut is an Otago high country run across rolling tussock to old gold sluicing sites, best added onto a bigger day exploring the area.

Tasman Valley

Tasman Valley is a short, rocky 4WD track near Aoraki/Mount Cook in Otago's high country with close-up views of the glacier-fed iceberg lake.

The Branches Road

The Branches Road is an Otago extension of Skippers Canyon, hugging cliffs above the Shotover with tight corners, stream crossings and big canyon views.

Thomson Gorge Road

Thomson Gorge Road is an Otago farm track over the tops, with gorge views, an old gold mining tunnel and battery, steep gravel climbs and plenty of gates.

Three Brothers Road

Three Brothers Road is a short, formed gravel climb into Otago's tussock high country toward Lake Onslow, with sweeping hill views and no technical driving.

Thurlow Road

Thurlow Road is a scenic Otago high-country gravel route climbing northwest from the Otago Central Rail Trail, with broad views and easy going for most 4WDs.

Tima Burn Road

Tima Burn Road is an easy Otago high country gravel run with sweeping tussock views and plenty of side tracks for building a day-long touring loop.

Timaru Creek Reserve

Timaru Creek Reserve is an easy Otago side road dropping through forest to a quiet spot on the Lake Hawea shore, good for a lakeside break.

Von Road

Von Road is an easy Otago high country gravel run through tussock and farmland, climbing towards Lake Wakatipu with big mountain views.

Waikaia Bush Road

Waikaia Bush Road is a rough, steep gravel climb onto the Old Man Range above Roxburgh in Otago, with open tussock tops and big views.

Waikaia Bush To Bains Block Boundary

Waikaia Bush to Bains Block Boundary is an exposed Otago high-country tops route along the range, with big ridgeline views for capable 4WDs.

Waipori Road

Waipori Road is an easy Otago gravel route through forest to Waipori Falls and Lake Mahinerangi, with old gold-mining history along the way.

West Manuherikia (Omarama Saddle)

West Manuherikia (Omarama Saddle) is an Otago high-country traverse over a 1200m saddle, with a rocky climb, big views, and 30-plus fords.

Wright Road

Wright Road is an Otago gravel climb through farmland and bush, handy as a joiner onto the back roads with wide views on a clear day.