We take our new 80 Series Landcruiser and the Hilux up into the hills above the Manawatu for a showdown - new vs old, husband vs wife - and to explore some awesome 4wd tracks high up in the hills. Driving with views this good is pretty hard to beat!
Alongside the Ballance Bridge near Woodville, the Woodville Ferry Reserve is a large grassy plain on the Manawatu River, at the mouth of Te Apiti - Manawatu Gorge. With easy access to the river, it's a popular spot for picnics and overnight camping, with plenty of open space so groups, dogs and campers can spread out and find their own patch.
The river offers good swimming holes, and there's a small wetland planted with native trees where you might spot local wildlife. The ground is a bit bumpy in places, but it's easy enough to find a flat spot for a roof tent or camper.
Facilities are basic: long-drop toilets with several stalls but no sinks, taps or hand-washing dispensers, so bring your own water for drinking and washing. A relaxed, spacious riverside reserve that's well liked by campers passing through the gorge.
Up in the hills above Palmerston North, this one runs along the ranges between the Pahiatua Track and Saddle/Woodville sides. On a clear day the views are the payoff, sweeping 360s out to both coasts, the wind turbines and the Manawatu plains. Keep an eye out for wild goats too.
It's genuine 4WD country: slippery clay mud, ruts, off-camber sections, rock steps and deep bog and water holes. The northern end is the most technical, with big ruts that have bitten sills and diffs over the years. Difficulty swings from moderate when dry to very hard after rain, and some of the water crossings can get up to bonnet height, so a snorkel earns its keep at the wet end. There's a good hill descent through the middle, and plenty of optional side tracks and play areas if you want to push it. Be careful with the final bog hole at the northern end, which can swallow vehicles.
First time, head south to north. You get more chances to turn around and less chance of needing a winch. Wider vehicles will find it tight in places. Travel with at least one other truck, carry recovery gear, and a UHF is handy since it's a popular track. There's camping at Ferry Reserve near the north end. Stick to the established lines.
Raumai Reserve is a tucked-away riverside campsite on the Pohangina River in the Manawatu-Whanganui region. It sits just off the Manawatu Scenic Route, not too far from Takapari Road or North Range Road, making it a handy base if you're exploring the surrounding ranges and back roads.
It's a well-liked little spot, especially good in summer when the river makes for a relaxing place to park up. Head down onto the river itself to find the best of it - the campervan camping area up top is a little average by comparison, so it pays to make your way down for the better setting.
Facilities are basic, with toilets on site. Sandflies can be about, so bring some bug spray to make your stay more comfortable.
Climbing deep into the Ruahine Ranges, this one tops out around 1400m as one of the highest public roads in the country. On a clear day you can see for miles in every direction, so it pays to pick your weather. Some folks have driven it in a high-clearance AWD in the dry, but it's a different animal when wet.
The lower half is the toughest going, with rutted, slippery clay and a notorious obstacle about 1km in. That's a near-vertical winch wall, with an off-camber bypass cut through the bush. Both routes can demand a winch and proper recovery gear, especially when wet, so don't tackle it alone.
Higher up the going eases as you reach the A-frame hut, a good spot to look around or stay the night. Take some soft bedding if you're sleeping over. Beyond the hut the track gets harder again before petering out into soft marsh, which isn't worth attempting solo.
Note the seasonal closure. The DOC section closes 13 September and reopens 1 January, with a locked gate at the bottom to protect the road over winter.