Branch Road

Branch Road offers 4WD enthusiasts a compact driving experience in the scenic Rotorua Lakes District, where you'll navigate through native forest terrain that showcases the North Island's lush vegetation. This short 0.3 km route provides an intimate exploration of the region's backcountry character, with gentle grades that make it accessible for drivers seeking to experience off-road driving without extreme technical demands. You'll find the surrounding landscape rich with the distinctive flora of the thermal plateau area, offering a quiet respite from more heavily trafficked tourist destinations.

While the trail's modest length means you won't spend extensive time behind the wheel, it serves as an excellent waypoint for those exploring the broader Rotorua Lakes network. The lack of steep grades makes this an ideal option for familiarizing yourself with vehicle handling on forest tracks or for those new to off-road driving. Before heading out, ensure your vehicle is in good working order and carry essential recovery equipment—even seemingly straightforward trails can present unexpected challenges. Given that no vehicles have formally logged this trail on Newtracs, you're venturing into relatively uncharted territory, so local knowledge and current conditions should be verified beforehand.