Woodhill

Woodhill forest

Sadly, 4WD access in Woodhill is now restricted to a 4WD park area much smaller than the previous areas we used to roam in. This is part of an increasing trend of access restrictions on 4WDing. Join a club, support the national 4WD organisation, and Tread Lightly!

Woodhill Forest is great. Its only 40 minutes away from central Auckland, and it has a bit of everything - sand, mud, cross-axles, hills. We go there regularly on club runs (only 4WD clubs can get access - often booked months in advance),

The most fun I've had there was a night run - sort of night orienteering by 4WD. We arrived just as the sun set and were given a rudimentary map of the forest with 34 points marked on it. Some of the tracks were marked on the map with arrows to recommend one way only. The objective was to drive to each point and read the marker. The markers were in pairs - for example, a photo of a Landrover 110, and a sign saying 110. Every pair you got was worth a point.

We started out with a group, but split off on our own for better speed. We went up the down tracks (OK we were a bit lost sometimes) and found about 27 of the markers. Unfortunately we only got 11 points.

Night runs

Take a handheld spotlight

Fit a big reversing lamp

Lights that shine to the sides of the front wheels are handy too. Try tractor work lamps - huge floodlight beams.