A call has been made for a 4WD fleet to explore a tussock-covered mountain folds of the Lammermoor Range.
Taieri Rotary Club member and trip organiser Colin Brown, of Mosgiel, said many people owned 4WD vehicles but had never gone on a "true off-road trip" because they did not know where to go and did not want to take a risk of getting stuck.
"Our club has the solution. A chance for people to take their 4WD up the top of a mountain range — a place you’d never go by yourself."
Most of the trip would be through Te Papanui Conservation Park — a 21,000ha park managed by the Department of Conservation.
The main access to the park was in Old Dunstan Rd.
"This is a unique opportunity to see and explore the magnificent rolling snow tussock hills that make up much of the park.
"We are so fortunate to have such a resource almost on our back door, only an hour from Dunedin."
The views on the trip were "spectacular" and drivers should expect to "strike a few challenges during the traverse".
"Most of the track is in pretty good order, but there a few deep rutted areas and wet hollows that I expect some will get stuck in, and need to be pulled through."
For that reason, the trip was limited to "true" 4WD vehicles, which had adequate ground clearance, such as Isuzu Bighorns and Nissan Terranos and not "softroader" SUVs, such as Toyota Rav4s and Hyundai Santa Fes.
"We want to provide 4WD owners with a true off-road experience, while at the same time not anything difficult enough to risk vehicle damage and Te Papanui fits the bill nicely".
If the weather was not suitable on November 15, a reserve day was scheduled on November 22.
"The range is magnificent on a nice day, but there is no point going up there if it is wet and you can’t see anything."
The entry fee to the trip was by koha.
Any money raised would go to the club’s charitable trust.
Taieri Rotary Club 4WD trip on the Lammermoor Range on Sunday, November 15. More information and registrations call Mr Brown on 0274-333-033.
The trip is limited to 40 vehicles.
-Shawn McAvinue, The Star
