Daniel sets out on three days of exploring the hidden gems in the Whanganui/Taranaki area. Between the beaches, Meremere Road (where things go a tad wrong), the "most expensive road to maintain" Kiwi Road and the other gems, it's a pretty amazing place to spend a weekend!
A soft beach run that skips past SH3 on your way to Wanganui. Best not tackled alone unless you're used to being on the beach - was one of the harder beach runs we've done.
Be sure to head through at low tide - at high tide, you'll be trapped by a creek crossing full of salt water.
Wind your way through the hills out the back of Whanganui. Allow a few hours to explore some of the side roads too.
Keep an eye out for logging trucks, sections of this road are fairly narrow!
New Zealand the way it was. Situated right on the beachfront, unpowered sites are available with room for motorhomes. Toilets and a children’s playground are provided. Note: There are no kitchen, laundry or shower facilities available at this campground.
An easy walk to the beach (less than 5-minute) and about 8km away from Waitotara township Maximum stay of 50 days Strictly no hooking to water supply Dogs are allowed on leads and under control at all times We encourage you to take your rubbish away with you
Cruise inland from Patea along an amazing gravel road and explore a power generating dam. The free campsite at the end of the road has hot showers and would be an awesome place to spent the night.
Head high up into the hills above Patea Dam on a slippery clay track.
This track changes a lot when it's wet - goes from a medium to a hard pretty quickly.
Closed over winter.
A stunning scenic drive through the hills - Kiwi Road is one of the countries most "expensive to maintain" roads due to the very limited traffic volume vs the amount of work required to keep it open.
Features one of Taranaki's famed tunnels.
Link Moki Road up with Kiwi Road to skip a section of highway and enjoy a simple cruise through the hills.