We wind our way along the southern coast of the North Island visiting some of the amazing sights and exploring the offroad tracks that hug the hills in an epic weekend trip out to the Wairarapa. Starting the day at Ocean Beach, we head along to Lake Ferry, Whangaimoana Beach then out to Palliser for an amazing night camping under the stars.
Out on the Wairarapa's rugged south coast, this is a fine-day drive that takes in a bit of everything. The route mixes gravel, dirt and sand with a few small river crossings, leading out to a wild stretch of coastline with views that are hard to beat.
It's popular for surfcasting and there's good camping right on the beach, including Corner Creek Campsite. A locked gate at the far end means it's best treated as a return trip rather than a through-route. Heading west toward Mukamuka Valley, a long-standing slip has narrowed the main track to a point where it's impassable for most vehicles, so plan your run around that. Quads and bikes have reportedly been getting past via the beach.
Take care on the beaches, as the soft sand can easily bog a vehicle down. On road pressures the gravel and small crossings are no trouble, but this is exposed coastal country that rewards a sensible, well-prepared approach.
Out on the south coast near Lake Ferry, this short coastal run follows the cliffs along a good-looking shoreline with fishing spots all the way along. Plenty of folk pull over here to spend a few hours on the beach watching the surf, rod in hand.
Generally easy and beginner-friendly when it's dry, to the point some drivers reckon even a Forester will manage it in good conditions. The muddy stretch through the middle is the catch though, and it varies with recent rain, so it pays to get out and check your lines before pushing through. There's a beach B-line bypass too, but the sand is very soft and catches people out, so dropping your tyre pressures makes a big difference.
A slip along the track has become a bit of a feature in its own right, a rugged, cowboy-western looking scene worth a pause. Keep in mind the lagoon at the Lake Ferry end can flood across the track at times. All up it's a simple, scenic one with good coastal views and no shortage of fishing.