New Zealand has some great places for responsible four wheel driving. Whether you use your vehicle to go camping, hunting, fishing, or to simply enjoy driving through spectacular landscapes, there are many different sites on public conservation land to choose from.
Driving responsibly is easy. It’s about caring for the environment and for other recreationists. Your minimal impact driving skills will also make a good impression and ensure that four wheel driving locations remain accessible for others.
Remember the environment is in your hands, so make sure you know about where sensitive areas are such as alpine landscapes, swamps, waterways, sand dunes and river beds and do not drive through them.
Where can I drive
Brief details about 4WD roads are provided when you select the find places I can do this activity link below.
It’s important to remember that you will be sharing the road with mountain bikers, trail bikers, walkers and in some places 2WD vehicles. Most of these roads are described in detail in other publications.
Note that DOC takes no responsibility for the accuracy of information in these publications. Always check local conditions before you set out and take an appropriate map.
Reference 1. 4WD North Island, 102 Off Road Adventures, Volume One by Andy Cockroft (2002)
Reference 2. 4WD North Island, 93 New Off Road Adventures, Volume Two by Andy Cockroft (2000).
Road conditions vary. Some may have overgrown sections, rough and uneven surfaces and be periodically affected by flooding, slips or other natural events.
Check conditions at the nearest visitor centre before you go.
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