The Central Plateau is full of amazing spots to explore - from barron volcanic landscapes, amazing rivers, ancient native forests, epic campsites - it has it all!
Join Daniel as he heads through Tukino Road, Waipakihi Road, State Forest 70, Link Road/The Centre of the North Island in the Pureora Forest Park and the Pokaka Mill Campsite, one of our favourites.
Driving up the side of an active volcano is something pretty special. The Tukino Access Road climbs the eastern flank of Mt Ruapehu in Tongariro National Park, near Waiouru, and the higher you get the more it feels like Mars. The rocky, barren landscape is otherworldly, and on a clear day the views are hard to beat. Good year round: head up in summer for the scenery, or in winter for some epic and far more challenging snow driving.
The route is rocky, rough and corrugated in places, with a couple of small stream crossings. It's not technical, and most 4WDs manage easily, often 2WDs in good weather. Beyond the 2WD carpark it climbs steeply and gets very exposed to strong wind and fast-changing weather. Sharp rocks can cut tyres, so take it easy. Some drivers drop to around 20-25 psi to smooth the ride. Leaving the track risks an $800 DOC fine, and it's a dog-free zone.
There-and-back day trip, roughly an hour to the top and back, with no camping on the mountain but plenty of sites nearby. A gate about three-quarters of the way up is locked when the ski field's closed. A free key (donation appreciated) comes from the Waiouru Army Museum or the Taupo, Turangi and Ohakune visitor centres, worth ringing ahead. Without it you still drive most of the way and only miss the steep final section.
An easy diversion off the Desert Road that runs out to the Waipakihi River. The track starts on old tarseal with a few potholes before turning to dirt and getting progressively rougher, with decent ruts most of the way before it opens into a scenic riverside area.
The main feature is a deep washout on the descent just before the river. It's manageable with care and a good line, and rock packing has created an s-bend route down, but climbing back out can be challenging without lockers. The Waipakihi River crossing is good fun over a rocky base and generally needs a snorkel. Levels can rise quickly after rain, so check before committing.
Across the river you can work your way down to riverside campsites, tight and noisy beside the water but an epic spot to camp for a night or two. Note the scratchy track down to the sites can leave plenty of bush rash, so it's not one for an unblemished paint job. A steel gate sits at the track but has generally been open. Pack out your rubbish.
A short run down to riverside camps on the Waipakihi River, out on the edge of the Kaimanawa Forest country. The track ends at a well-loved spot beside the water that's been a favourite with 4WDers and campers for years.
It's rated easy overall, but the descent has a rough, eroded character with some sizeable washouts. A maneuverable 4WD with decent tyres is the sensible pick. That said, capable drivers have made it down in fairly standard utes on all-terrains without a lift, just taking it carefully.
The payoff is a peaceful camp right by the river, with low bush rash. It's end-of-road, so facilities are minimal. Pack in everything you need and leave no trace. Take care of the place, because continued access depends on people treating it well.
Sheltered and bush-fringed, this quiet spot in the Kaimanawa Forest Park makes a good base for hunting, tramping, walking and mountain biking. There's a fair few tracks and bush walks nearby to keep you busy.
Facilities are basic but well kept. Non-powered tent sites, non-flush toilets, and water from the stream. There's room for both tents and campervans, and campfires are fine except during fire bans.
People keep coming back to Urchin, and it's easy to see why. It stays tidy, the toilets are clean, and it holds up well even in the pouring rain. Being a popular one it can fill quickly, so it pays to get in early if you want a spot.
A short detour off the Desert Road leads in to the water cannon and outlet for the Rangipo dam. The main run is sealed and gravel, easy enough for most vehicles, which makes it a good one with the kids. It's tucked away and rarely busy, and the sheer power of the water gushing out at the inlet is worth the trip alone.
On clear days you'll get good views of snow on the nearby mountains. There's a bit of extra gravel that loops around to the outlet, plus a network of side tracks following the power line maintenance trails up top.
Those detours are fun if you feel like exploring, though they can get scratchy with bush rash. Nothing crazy, and if you'd rather keep it clean you can stick to the easy main route. Good quick stop for a smoko break or to show the kids a remote dam in action.
Through the heart of Pureora Forest Park, a well-formed gravel road runs to the geographic centre of the North Island. The bush is the main event here: big rimu trees, well-kept walking tracks, and plenty of birdlife, with kaka calling overhead.
It's an easy run, generally fine in 2WD even in the wet, though the road is potholed in places so take your time and enjoy the surroundings. There are heaps of side tracks and offshoots worth exploring, good camp spots at either end, plus a restored caterpillar crawler, a dozer and some old tractors worth a stop. Hunting is on too.
A short walk (10 to 15 minutes) leads to the centre marker, but signage for the turnoff is poor and there's no cell reception, so download a map before you head in. There's also a lookout tower that rises above the canopy for a view of the native birds from above, and you can walk to the top of Mt Pureora from the road. A good detour off the highway and a neat piece of the country.
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.