4WD Trails in Otago

Otago is where the South Island's 4WD reputation lives. Skippers Canyon, the Nevis Road, the Old Man Range, the Macetown Track from Arrowtown, the Cardrona back-roads — this is classic Central Otago 4WD country with the alpine backdrop to match.

Beyond Central Otago, the North Otago Waitaki Valley, the Hakataramea Pass road, and the Coastal Otago back-roads above Dunedin give further variety. The Otago Goldfields heritage tracks add historical character to the Central basin.

Central Otago has low rainfall (it's a rain shadow region), which means tracks dry quickly after rain. However, snow and ice from June through September close the higher routes (Nevis, Cardrona above 1000 m, Old Man Range). November through April is the reliable season.