4WD Tracks in Wellington

Wellington's lower North Island offers a rewarding mix of coastal and backcountry driving, from windswept beaches along the Wairarapa to the rugged forested ridges of the Aorangi and Tararua ranges. The 4WD tracks here range from sandy shoreline runs and river access points to gravel roads climbing to lakes and lookouts. Expect exposed conditions and check tides before hitting the beaches.

Aorangi Forest Park via Martinborough (Ruakokoputuna Road)

Aorangi Forest Park via Ruakokoputuna Road is a Wellington hilltop gravel road south of Martinborough, easy shingle with rougher 4WD sections at the far end.

Blue Rock Road

Blue Rock Road is a smooth, well-graded gravel run near Wellington, winding through bush and open farmland for a relaxed, easy drive.

Bucks Road

Bucks Road is an easy gravel access run out to the quiet Bucks Road Reserve campsite up Wellington way, suited to most vehicles.

Castle Point Beach

Castle Point Beach is a short, easy gravel run on the Wairarapa coast, handy for the walk up Castle Rock and a relaxed coastal stop.

Flat point

Flat Point is a relaxed Wairarapa coast 4WD run to a remote, windswept beach backed by farmland, easily doable in a wide range of vehicles.

Flat Point Beach

Flat Point Beach is a short Wairarapa coast 4WD run that drops to the sand for remote east-coast beach driving and wide Pacific views.

Glenburn Road

Glenburn Road is a short, easy gravel drive along the Wairarapa coast in Wellington, ending at a locked gate with good coastal views.

Kiriwhakapapa Road

Kiriwhakapapa Road is a short Wellington gravel run into bush country, ending at a Tararua Range campsite and walks, fine for most vehicles in the dry.

Lake Onoke Viewpoint

Lake Onoke Viewpoint in the southern Wairarapa is an easy gravel drive to a lookout over the lake and wetlands, popular with fishers and birdwatchers.

Moeraki/Ngakonui/Clifton Grove loop

The Moeraki/Ngakonui/Clifton Grove loop is an easy Wairarapa gravel run through rolling farmland, with quiet rural roads and an old bridge to spot.

Mt Dick Lookout

Mt Dick Lookout is a short, steep gravel climb near Mangatarere Valley in Wellington, with an easy run up to a big summit panorama.

Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach is a Wairarapa south coast 4WD run with gravel, sand and small crossings out to wild coastline, good for fishing and beach camping.

Onoke Spit

Onoke Spit is an easy Wairarapa beach run to Ocean Beach with great sunset views, soft sand in spots and a water crossing to check on foot.

Otaki Beach

Otaki Beach is an easy firm-sand drive on Wellington's Kapiti Coast with open coastal views, a shallow stream crossing, and a tide that demands respect.

Otaki Gorge

Otaki Gorge is a Wellington gravel road climbing into Tararua Forest Park alongside the Otaki River, an easy scenic run to a popular picnic area.

Pack Spur Road Loop

Pack Spur Road Loop is an easy Wellington farm track above the Tinui Valley, with views all the way and a handy alternative route into Castle Point.

Pahaoa Road

Pahaoa Road is an easy Wairarapa gravel route tracing the Pahaoa River out to a quiet coastal river mouth, with good river views along the way.

Peka Peka Beach

Peka Peka Beach is an easy Kapiti Coast sand run up toward Te Horo, with wide ocean views, Kapiti Island offshore, and good surfcasting.

Range Road

Range Road is an easy gravel high-country drive near Wellington, running below the wind turbines with sweeping ridgetop and valley views.

Red Rocks

Red Rocks is a scenic Wellington South Coast 4WD run with seal colonies, soft sand beaches past Devil's Gate, and views out to the wind turbines.

River Mouth

River Mouth is a short, easy gravel run to the Otaki River mouth north of Wellington, with open coastal views and good surfcasting along the beach.

Riversdale Beach (Bypass)

Riversdale Beach Bypass is a short, narrow Wairarapa dune track that skirts the head, handy when high tide makes the beach impassable.

Riversdale Beach (North)

Riversdale Beach (North) is an easy Wairarapa coast beach run with ocean views and a tidal stream crossing, best at lower tides.

Riversdale Beach (South)

Riversdale Beach (South) is an easygoing Wairarapa coastal sand drive with surf and dunes, suited to capable 4WDs comfortable on soft sand.

Ruamahanga River Access

Ruamahanga River Access is an easy Wairarapa run down to gravel river flats, good for a quick lunch stop and a swim on a warm day.

Summer Hill Road

Summer Hill Road is a short, easy 4WD detour through Wellington hill country, with gentle going and good views out over the surrounding hills.

Tauwhareniaku River Access

Tauwhareniaku River Access is an easy Wellington gravel side track down to the river, good for a picnic or a quiet stop, with an optional crossing further down.

Te Awaiti Road

Te Awaiti Road is an easy coastal cruise on the Wellington coast, hugging the shoreline out to a quiet campsite with open ocean views.

Te Wharau Road

Te Wharau Road is an easy Wellington gravel run through farmland out towards the Tora Coast, with the ocean opening up the further east you go.

Tora Beach

Tora Beach is a wild southern Wairarapa coast 4WD run on easy gravel, with seals, shipwrecks and good fishing, plus a steep clifftop descent to the beach.

Towai Road

Towai Road is an easy gravel drive over the ridge into the quieter eastern Wairarapa backcountry, with open views and cliffs along the way.

Waihi Falls

Waihi Falls is a remote eastern Wellington gravel road through farmland, an easy 2WD drive to a short walk and a fine waterfall.

Waiohine Gorge

Waiohine Gorge is an easy Wellington gravel cruise through the Tararua foothills to a tidy campsite, with kereru, dust on dry days, and a swing bridge.

Waiohine Lookout

Waiohine Lookout is a narrow, scratchy Wairarapa bush climb in Wellington with heavy bush rash and a turnaround loop with views over the plains.

Waiohine Valley

Waiohine Valley is an easy Wellington 4WD run out to a clear Tararua river with swimming holes and picnic spots

Waiotauru (Odlins) Road

Waiotauru (Odlins) Road is a tough, popular Wellington 4WD track into the Akatarawa Forest, with big ruts, steep climbs and heavy bush rash.

Whangaimoana Beach

Whangaimoana Beach is a short, scenic coastal 4WD run near Lake Ferry on Wellington's south coast, easy when dry with a soft-sand beach bypass.

Whareama Road

Whareama Road is a Wairarapa forestry through-route linking Puketiritiri and Whareama Roads, mixing pine plantation with native bush in the Rewa Bush reserve.

Wharekauhau Stream

Wharekauhau Stream is an easy Wellington coast run up a shifting river bed, suited to almost any 4x4, with great coastal views near the beach.

White Rock

White Rock is a remote southern Wairarapa coast drive on well-maintained gravel, leading out to rugged shoreline and wide sea views.