Join me as I head out to explore some spots around Ohakune and National Park and test out my new Hilux!
A short gravel road that runs up to a carpark. From the carpark it's about a 15-minute walk out to Lake Rotokura, a peaceful spot to chill by the water.
Starts off as a fairly basic forestry road before slowly narrowing into a tighter track winding through native bush. Toward the end the forest closes in and the road sees very little maintenance, so expect overhanging manuka and a generally rougher feel the further you go.
There's a small wooden bridge along the way, a handy landmark before things get more overgrown. In the middle of winter you'll find a few shallow water holes scattered about, but nothing dramatic. Keep an eye out for some old ruins beside the route too, likely forestry related, though it's hard to say for certain.
A pleasant, low-key bush drive on mostly gravel, well suited to anyone after a quiet outing through the trees rather than a technical challenge. Bush rash is generally low, though the narrow sections mean a few scratches are possible as the greenery takes over.
A scenic gravel road that follows the river. The main attraction is the cool cliffs about halfway along - cool to drive along them
Well off the beaten track out past Ruatiti, this quiet domain gives you a choice of where to pitch up. Camp out under open skies or tuck in beneath the giant beech, manuka, kanuka and mingimingi for a bit of privacy and shade.
There's plenty of grassy space to park up, and some of the best spots are right down by the river, which is notably rocky. A few of those riverside sites have fire pits. Facilities are basic but well looked after: a BBQ, picnic spots and back-country toilets that campers reckon are about the cleanest they've come across.
No booking system here, so it's first in, first served, and there's no charge for using the Domain or its facilities. A relaxed riverside escape that's worth the trip out, especially if you land a spot by the water with no one else around.
A quiet gravel run through back country farmland, winding past rolling high country and open pasture well away from the busier roads. The unsealed surface and steady pace make it an easy drive if you're after a bit of space and some scenery.
The road carries typical gravel conditions throughout, nothing too demanding, just a steady journey through the pastoral hills. Good one if you want to take your time and watch the country open out around you.
It's a working farm road, so go easy on the livestock, leave gates as you find them, and sort out any property access before heading through.
Sheltered forest greets you at the start, cool and shaded, before the road climbs and the country opens right out toward the tops. It's gravel the whole way, winding up through remote hill country well off the main roads.
The run is all about the contrasts. Bush gives way to big open vistas as you gain height, and once you crest the tops the views stretch wide across the horizon. Heading back out there's mountain scenery laid out in the distance. Nothing technical here, just a gravel road, so the draw is the changing landscape and the sense of being a long way from anywhere rather than tricky driving.
Come set up for backcountry travel with little in the way of services. Take your time and enjoy the shift from the cool forest at the bottom to the sweeping open country up top.
A short climb up into the hills, starting on a narrow clay track that works its way toward the top with views out over the surrounding hills.
There's a slippery section not too far from the start that's worth double checking before heading through if it's been wet. As with any clay, it gets slippery when it's damp.
Out on the Central Plateau, this rough gravel road runs to the Pokaka Mill campsite. The main route is an easy if bumpy drive that suits most setups, and dropping your tyre pressures makes it a fair bit more comfortable.
Stop off along the way and have a look at the caves. There's an interesting walk to reach them, though you'll want a cooler day for it. A loop also connects to the campsite via John MacDonald Road, but it's narrow, rutted and overgrown, so expect tighter going and the chance of bush rash. The 1.8km loop can take longer than the main road in, and most find it easier to run out from the campsite rather than in, especially at night.
The campsite is a genuinely off-grid spot, quiet and good for getting away from everything. Native birdlife is a highlight, and you might even hear deer roaring. Facilities are minimal, just a long drop, so come fully self-sufficient and bring everything you need. A good one for a peaceful overnight with caves and bush nearby.
Tucked away in the Tongariro Forest Conservation Area in the Manawatu-Whanganui region, Pokaka Mill is a super basic campsite that delivers a proper off-grid experience. The recommended access is John McDonald Rd from SH47 - a rough gravel road that's manageable in a stock 2WD with a little ground clearance, and the drive in takes around 25 minutes.
The road opens out into a large clearing with heaps of room and plenty of private spots to choose from, including a great spot down from the main camp. There are caves nearby worth exploring too. Facilities are simply a long-drop toilet and nothing else.
On calm days the bird song is fantastic, and on clear nights the stars are incredibly bright. It's a quiet, peaceful place that rarely gets crowded - many regulars rate it among the best campsites in the North Island. Just note it's exposed and remote, so come prepared with warm gear even in summer, and especially in winter. Avoid the Pukehinau Rd route via Hillary OPC, which is badly overgrown - stick to John McDonald Rd.
A quick side track down to a dropshaft that feeds the power station infrastructure around here. More of a short detour than somewhere you'd set out for, but worth the few minutes if you're already in the area.
Pull over and have a look inside the concrete building. There's a fair bit of water moving through, so it's an interesting stop and a chance to see the engineering up close.
The track itself is short and easy, good to tack onto a longer day exploring the tracks nearby.
A short side track that branches off the main route and runs out to some hydro infrastructure. Easy going, and worth the detour if you're already working through the wider track network.
The setting is quiet, with views out over the surrounding bush. At the end you get a look at the Taurewa intake structure, where you can see the water management at work in a peaceful patch of forest.
Not a big drive on its own, more a relaxed add-on to a day out on the network. Good one if you want a forest outlook and a glimpse of the hydro system up close.
A short track near Pokaka Mill, handy to tack onto your way in or out of the campsite. It runs through native bush on rough but generally dry gravel, with a few decent ruts to pick your way through. No major water crossings, though you might splash through a puddle or two.
Driven from the campsite end, it's an easy enough run as far as where the walk starts. Past that point the track narrows and gets heavily overgrown with scratchy bushes that'll mark your paintwork, and there's nowhere easy to turn around once you're into the thick of it.
Take it carefully if you push on past the walk. A quiet, scenic little detour while you're exploring the Pokaka area.