In new zealand is it possible to go off roading in a car?

Question

we are planning to emigrate to NZ from UK and we love going off roading in our 4 x 4. we wondered if there are many people off roading in NZ.

Answer 1

yh there are people

Answer 2

4x4, yes.

Car especially a rental car, no, unless you have cleared it with the insurance company.

If you Hire a 4x4, check the insurance too.

Taking a rental vehicle on a dirt road is tricky, a different method of handling the vehicle is required and hire companies (and their insurers) don't like it.

There is no shortage of back country roads and tracks for exploring. If you don't know the territory take overnight provisions on the longer trips, listen to the weather forecasts (and pay attention to them) start out with a good tank of fuel, and take an emergency locator beacon (there's plenty of places where you can hire one - perhaps even from the vehicle rental company).

Answer 3

Yes, there are plenty of places to off road in NZ.  Consider joining a club...

If you decide to go off roading of your own accord do be considerate of the natural habitat and respect the signs when they say 'no 4x4'.  There are the right places for off roading and the wrong places.  

That said, in some parts of NZ the only way to get through some of our 'paper roads' or dirt trails is with 4x4 (ie Takahue Saddle in the Far North - accessible only on quad bike or horse now I think?)

Have lots of fun but also respect the environment!

Answer 4

yep and go north and find 90 mile beach.

Answer 5

loads of places.  new Zealand is 5% bigger than the UK, with 6% of the population.  And barely 2M cars.

Answer 6

Absolutely. It is a very popular activity and the opportunities perfect here for doing this.

Answer 7

You may be surprised to hear this, but a 4x4 is often even necessary to go places around here. Lots of gravel roads, and some of them subject to snow drifts, drifting sand, or big rocks on the road when the wind has been blowing hard again at night (the moving trees sometimes loosen rocks out of the sandstone cliffs).

On some narrow dirt roads, you can only go up the embankment to negotiate oncoming traffic.

I've traded my sportscar for a 4x4.

Answer 8

It's VERY popular in NZ - and you won't be short of dirt roads or beaches either... plenty of 4x4 clubs also to join.

Answer 9

Looking at the answers above I guess this is a more popular sport than I imagined.

However, I am not very thrilled about people doing off road 4x4 driving, especially when they tear up the walking tracks, bush walks, and beaches through their irresponsible actions.

For example, in my neck of the woods, some off-roaders tore down a fence and hooned through a natural habitat area that the DOC and locals just spent several months restoring.  One of my favorite highland tracks has been spoiled, gouged, and riddled with ruts from 4x4 drivers acting stupid.  Last weekend I almost got run over on the beach by some nimrods in a 4x4 flying over the sand dunes - in an area where vehicles are prohibited.  

Besides damaging the landscape, they litter, leaving their  garbage - beer bottles and cans, empty cigarette packets, KFC boxes, and other stuff too gross to describe.  I guess it only takes a few 4x4 drivers acting like idiots to ruin it for everybody.

So my point is that I don't mind the 4x4s in their place, on designated trails, etc.  But please have some respect for our country and its natural inhabitants.  And please be responsible if you decide to go 4x4-ing.  You are welcome to visit but please remember this is home to a number of rare and unique species, besides me.

Answer 10

Everywhere and its brilliant!

http://www.4x4newzealand.co.nz/gallery/a...

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