Above and beyond
Over hill and down dale, the indispensable ‘Landy’ has been with Kiwis for generations. The bold, utilitarian panelling has been given a zhoush-up in recent years, but the 90 and 110 models still hark back to a long legacy of getting us where we’ve needed to go.
Beauty and the beast
Photographer Julian Apse is well-accustomed to remote places. And so is his Series IIA Land Rover.
Run rabbit run
The modified vehicles used in deepest Central Otago to carry a collection of varmint hunters may not be roadworthy, but they definitely need to be hillworthy.
Salt, sand and snapper
There's no machine better than a trusty Landy on an 88-kilometre-long road made entirely of sand. Just ask the legends of the Snapper Classic.
Omarama–Oamaru
The drive down the Waitaki Valley from Omarama is flanked by stark high-country scenery and merino runs, but it’s the artificial lakes of the Waitaki hydro scheme that dominate the landscape.
Whitianga–Whangamata
Once a major colonial port supporting the trade in kauri and kauri gum, Whitianga is now a rural service town and holiday resort.
Nelson–Motueka
This drive combines all that makes a visit to Nelson and its surrounding locations so memorable—beaches, forest walks, craft galleries, wineries and cafes.
Auckland–Kerikeri
Some Of New Zealand’s earliest history lies in the north. The 1700 km of coastline, 144 islands, sandy beaches and secluded bays make the Bay of Islands a favourite playground for holidaymakers and a centre for big-game fishing.
There from the start
Over hill and down dale, the indispensable ‘Landy’ has been with Kiwis for generations. The bold, utilitarian panelling has been given a zhoush-up in recent years, but the 90 and 110 models still hark back to a long legacy of getting us where we’ve needed to go.
Arthur’s Pass–Greymouth
The painter Petrus van der Velden’s bleak representations of the valley in the 1890s (one of which is hung at Christchurch’s Robert McDougall Art Gallery) will seem familiar when you’ve been here in a storm...
Balclutha–Invercargill
The southeast corner of the South Island is a remarkably beautiful area renowned for its coastal forests, wildlife, beaches and scenery. Mercifully, the Catlins hasn’t been subjected to excessive tourism development. What services exist for tourists—the campgrounds, backpackers, homestays and specialist ‘eco-tourism’ operations are small-scale and low impact, and this feels right for the area.
Christchurch–Akaroa
This rewarding scenic route to Akaroa on Banks Peninsula begins on the Summit Road on Christchurch’s Port Hills. The return journey can be made via the peninsula’s remote harbours and bays on its northern coastline—in total an enjoyable day excursion from Christchurch.
Haast–Wanaka (via Haast Pass)
Haast Pass follows the Haast River to its headwaters, probably the most dramatic of any of the road crossings of the Alps.
Nelson–Motueka
This drive combines all that makes a visit to Nelson and its surrounding locations so memorable—beaches, forest walks, craft galleries, wineries and cafes.
Opotiki–East Cape
The drive to East Cape from Opotiki is one of the most memorable in New Zealand. Here, Maori communities have steadfastly maintained links with their culture, history and landscape.
Dargaville–Kaitaia plus Cape Reinga
This leg of the Discovery Highway is equal to anywhere on the South Island’s West Coast.
Motueka-Golden Bay
After Motueka, state highway 60 leads toward Abel Tasman national park and Takaka Hill.