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, scenic beach run on the Manawatu-Whanganui coast that lets you skip SH3 on the way to Wanganui. The route tracks the open sand between Bulls and Turakina, passing the lagoon at Koitiata and exiting near Scott's Ferry. It's a popular drive with locals, but it was one of the harder beach runs we've done, so it's best not tackled alone unless you're used to driving on sand. Time your trip for low tide: at high tide you'll be trapped by a salt-water creek crossing, and some sections become impassable. The sand can be very soft in places, so drop your tyre pressures (around 18PSI works) and stay closer to the sea where the sand is firmer.
Kauarapaoa Road winds through the hills out the back of Whanganui in the Manawatu-Whanganui region, making for a relaxed scenic drive. It's a well-maintained gravel road that runs through native bush and farmland, with stunning views and plenty of spots to pull over and take in the scenery or check out old structures along the way. Keep an eye out for deer, and look for Bushy Park Sanctuary and the Waitahinga Trails walking track on the route. Allow a few hours so you can explore some of the side roads too. One side road drops down into a valley with an earth bank on the left guarding a sheer 30-40 m drop to the river, so take care there. The road eventually ends at a locked gate with a private property sign and a small turning area. Sections of the road are fairly narrow with limited room to pass, so keep an eye out for logging trucks and local traffic.
Tucked away on the Southern Taranaki coast, Waiinu Beach Campsite is New Zealand the way it was - a roomy, open spot sitting right on the beachfront, just metres from the sand. It's an easy walk of less than five minutes to the beach, and around 8km from Waitotara township. Unpowered sites have room for motorhomes, and there are toilets, a BBQ and a children's playground, but no kitchen, laundry or shower facilities, so come self-sufficient. Being so open and close to the coast, the site is quite exposed, so be prepared for wind when the weather isn't calm, and note that flat spots for tents or vehicles can be limited. Vehicles are allowed to drive on the beach here. Dogs are welcome on leads and under control. Maximum stay is 50 days, there's strictly no hooking to the water supply, and please take your rubbish away with you.
Heading inland from Patea in the Manawatu-Whanganui region, this is a scenic, easygoing drive on a mix of sealed and gravel road that leads to the Patea Dam. It's not a technical off-road track — the route is suitable for passenger cars and requires no real skill — but the run in and out is genuinely lovely, quiet, and worth the trip if you're in the area with a bit of time to spare. The dam itself is a power-generating station with plenty to take in, and Lake Rotorangi sits above it. At the end of the road you'll find a small free campsite with good facilities, including hot showers. It's a cool spot to spend the night, popular with those who enjoy a relaxed stay or a spot of hunting. Bear in mind the ground is mostly sloping with limited level sites, and it can fill up over holiday periods, so it's best enjoyed at quieter times.
Climbing high into the hills above Patea Dam in the Manawatu-Whanganui region, Meremere Road is a scenic clay-and-gravel hill track with great views the whole way. In dry conditions it ranges from easy to medium - largely a dirt road with optional technical side lines for those wanting more of a challenge. The route gets progressively more technical and closed-in the further you go, with steep ups and downs and an old gate partway in. Wet weather transforms it: the clay turns treacherously slippery and it quickly becomes a hard route, so drier spells are the time to visit. Deep ruts left by bog holes mean decent ground clearance helps, and 4WD is recommended even in the dry thanks to the steep pinches. A genuinely fun run that rewards careful drivers. Closed over winter (closes 27 May, reopens 1 November).
Tucked into the hills of inland Taranaki, Kiwi Road links Okau Road and Uruti Road as a scenic detour off SH3. It's one of the country's most expensive roads to maintain, thanks to very limited traffic versus the work needed to keep it open. The drive runs in two distinct parts: roughly 8km of standard gravel and a wilder 6km section cut into the hillside, winding through lush native bush that has many feeling like they're driving through the jungle. The highlight is one of Taranaki's famed tunnels, a compulsory photo stop. Mostly an easy gravel cruise that many 2WD cars handle in the dry, though there are narrow, tight sections with steep unguarded drops, so take care and watch your clearance on low vehicles. The autumn colours add an extra treat, and the area is a firm favourite for repeat visits. A fantastic, quiet detour with fantastic views well worth the drive if you're in the region.
Moki Road is an easy, well-maintained gravel route through the Taranaki hill country, often linked up with Kiwi Road to skip a stretch of highway and enjoy a quiet cruise through the bush. It's a long, peaceful drive that suits all sorts of trips, whether you're starting a longer west-to-east journey or just passing through. The scenery is a highlight for many, and the old tunnels along the way are a real treat to drive through. History buffs might spot a remaining shack from the village built here for the film 'The Last Samurai' if they keep a sharp eye out. The going is straightforward gravel with no real technical challenge, making it a relaxed option in the region. The main thing to watch for is wildlife and stock roaming on the road, including pigs, possums and cattle, so keep your speed sensible to avoid a collision.