I spend the weekend exploring the Gentle Annie and zipping my way around the outside of the Kaweka Forest and ranges. With epic views and mint drives, it's an awesome place to spend a long weekend looking around.
Comet Road is a short, easy gravel climb up into the Ruahine Ranges in Hawke's Bay, and it's well worth the detour off the Gentle Annie. The route is a straightforward gravel run suited even to a capable 2WD, winding up to Comet Hut at the top.
The reward is some amazing views, with the best of them opening up just before the end of the track. Along the way you'll find a few little dead-end side trails branching off, several of which make a cool spot to camp.
It sits roughly ten minutes from the Kuripapango campsite, making it a handy add-on if you're already in the area. A quick, rewarding side trip rather than a serious technical challenge, Comet Road packs big scenery into a small climb and is a great way to stretch out a Hawke's Bay backcountry trip.
Kuripapango (Ox Bow) Campsite sits on the edge of Kaweka Forest Park in Hawke's Bay, beside the Ngaruroro River. It's a basic but consistently well-liked free campsite, with non-powered tent sites in a relaxed riverside setting surrounded by forest park scenery.
Facilities are simple and honest: non-flush toilets are on site, and water can be drawn from the stream (treat before drinking). Easy river access makes it a comfortable base for a night or a longer stay.
There's plenty to do here, from rafting down the Ngaruroro River to having a go at fishing. Visitors repeatedly rate it highly as a no-frills, can't-go-wrong stop. If you're after a quiet, scenic place to pitch a tent near the water, this one delivers.
Kuripapango Road is a gravel route running into the Kaweka Forest Park in inland Hawke's Bay, providing access to the popular 'Lakes' carpark. The drive winds through forest park country before reaching the trailhead, where a walk takes you out to the lakes themselves.
Allow about an hour to walk to the lakes and back from the carpark - it's well worth the effort for the scenery. The road itself is straightforward gravel and, when in good order, makes for a smooth, easy drive suitable for most 4WDs.
Because the road passes through an active forestry area, access can be affected by logging operations at times, so it's worth checking conditions before committing to the full run. A relaxed outing that pairs an easy gravel approach with a rewarding short walk in one of Hawke's Bay's notable forest parks.
Lawrence Road branches off the Gentle Annie route in Hawke's Bay, dropping through forest and down towards the river. It's a straightforward gravel road for the most part, leading to a cool little campsite tucked down by the riverside.
The notable feature is the steep climb back up from the river. The loose gravel makes it a genuine 4WD job, so a stock 4x4 will handle it comfortably while 2WD vehicles may struggle on the way out in the wet.
The bush setting and the river camp spot are the real draw here, making it a pleasant short run for those wanting a quiet overnight beside the water. Note that access runs through Pan Pac land, so check current permit requirements before heading in.
Whittle Road is a scenic gravel climb in the Hawke's Bay hills, heading up over 1000 metres to a lookout with immaculate, far-reaching views. It's a well-maintained farmers' road, generally easy and driveable for most vehicles.
The road narrows as it climbs and has some fairly steep sections, so a 2WD on street tyres isn't recommended when it's wet. Up around the lookout there's a little play area worth a stop to soak in the panorama.
The route is a popular detour for those heading to or from the nearby hot pools and camping, making it an easy and rewarding bit of exploring. A choice drive that's well worth the look if you're in the area.
Tucked into the ranges of inland Hawke's Bay, this is a well-worth-it turn-off to a lookout with stunning views over the ranges and out across the Hawke's Bay coastline. The main route is an easy, well-formed gravel road that climbs up through native bush to the top.
It's steep in places but the gravel is neat and tidy, so an AWD or even a careful 2WD can make it on a good day. Keep an eye out for deer along the way - it's something of a hunters' paradise.
At the top there's a small 4WD 'play' area that can get rutted and muddy, offering a low-risk thrill and a bit of fun if you fancy testing your rig (more enjoyable with a mate or two along for a winch). Responsible freedom camping is allowed in the area, and people have parked up overnight. On a clear day the views from the lookout are absolutely gorgeous, and it makes a great spot for a feed.
Tucked into the Kaweka Forest Park in Hawke's Bay, the Mangatutu Hot Springs Campsite is a popular but quiet spot for camping, picnicking and fishing beside the Mohaka River. It's a handy base for tramping, hunting and day walks up the river and deeper into the park, with good fishing spots reachable along a roughly 20-minute flat walk.
The setting is peaceful and natural, well away from town lights, so the night sky here is wonderfully dark for stargazing. Visitors have also enjoyed the cold, fresh water emerging straight from the rock nearby.
Facilities are basic: non-powered tent sites, non-flush toilets, and water drawn from the stream. Come prepared and self-sufficient, and you'll find a relaxing riverside retreat that suits anglers, trampers and anyone after a quiet escape into the Kawekas.
Wharite Peak is a well-formed gravel road climbing to a lookout in the Manawatu-Whanganui region, well worth the trip up on a clear day for sweeping coast-to-coast views. From the summit you can pick out the towns below, including Palmerston North and Woodville, and a cluster of radio towers makes for an interesting landmark near the top.
This is an easy, undemanding route — a good one for newcomers cutting their teeth — and reasonable ground clearance is the main requirement. It's gentle enough that plenty of people report driving it in a 2WD, though expect some corrugation, and a few mild ruts and potholes closer to the summit are worth a glance in a low car or SUV. There's a gate roughly halfway up where you may be asked to seek permission and notify the farm for biohazard safety.
The exposed summit can be windy and fog over fast, so pick a fine day for the best of it. The night views over the lit-up towns are a treat too.