There's nothing quite like trying to stay ahead of a storm on the way to camp! Join me as I explore the bottom of the North Island in my Land Rover Discovery 1.
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.