Chinas Road

Chinas Road offers 4WD enthusiasts a compact but intriguing off-road experience near the Tasman District, where a short 0.6 km route provides an opportunity to explore lesser-known backcountry terrain in New Zealand's South Island. You'll navigate through varied landscape that showcases the region's natural character, making this an ideal stop if you're exploring the wider area or testing your vehicle's capabilities on unfamiliar ground.

The gentle gradient means you won't face extreme climbing challenges, allowing you to focus on line selection and vehicle handling as you work through the track. However, don't let the modest length fool you—backcountry roads in this region can present surprises including soft shoulders, hidden ruts, and weather-dependent conditions that demand respect. You should ensure your 4WD is in good working order and carry essential recovery gear, as remote locations offer limited support services.

This unrated trail remains something of a local secret, with minimal traffic history, which means you could be among the first to document current conditions. Using the Newtracs app to log your experience and track waypoints will help build valuable data for the community and future explorers tackling this South Island gem.