Go off road on 4WD trip

Four-wheel drive owners have the chance to go off road in the Akatarawa Forest on Saturday, 15 January.

“Access to the Akatarawa Forest is normally restricted to members of 4WD clubs. But for this day we’ll be working with the Cross Country Vehicle Club to run guided trips for anyone who wants to get some mud on their tyres,” says Greater Wellington Landcare Committee chairman Chris Laidlaw.

The event has been organised by Greater Wellington as part of its Regional Outdoors summer programme. The Akatarawa Forest – 15,000 hectares of land between Paraparaumu and Upper Hutt – offers some of the most extensive off-roading experiences in the region.

“This is a chance to explore somewhere new, on old logging roads, through rivers and along ridges in the forest,” Cr Laidlaw says.

Akatarawa ranger Dean Hearfield says, “Four-wheel drive owners can try out their vehicles safely and get some driving tips. There’s no need to worry about getting stuck. If you do, someone will pull you out. Each trip is guided by a qualified trip leader.”

The 2-hour trips – at 10am, 12.30pm and 3pm – leave from Maungakotukutuku Road, near Paraparaumu. It costs $20 per vehicle and there is a limit of 30 vehicles per trip. To book your place, phone 526 5330 or email bookings@gw.govt.nz

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