Waiuku Forest

Registration closes at 8pm Thursday 7th April, after this time please contact Paul Brinkman

Waiuku Forest is a sand dune pine plantation forest on the northern mouth of the Waikato River administered by Crown Forestry who generously grant us access.

The conditions in the forest include easy tracks with firm gravel, dirt and soft sandy tracks with small sections of slippery clay in the winter. There are some more challenging options for the more adventurous, but they can all be easily bypassed.

Some bush does overhang the tracks so some light scuffing is possible! The trees within the forest are spaced wide enough apart to allow vehicles to explore off the main tracks which we will be doing, so good driving skills will be required to manoeuvre amongst the trees to avoid damage. There will also be a few steeper downhill sections, which are easy but still a good challenge for the newer members to 4WDing.

This is a Grade 2 trip. See our trip grading guidelines.

Also see our Trip Rules.

Here's a video and some links to photos to get you excited about the trip.

You Tube Video

Trip fee 

There is a $20 trip fee. We are fundraising for St Johns, Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust and the Northern Emergency Services Trust (Note: visitors must also pay a $10 day membership fee).

NB: Club members get priority when numbers exceed maximum allowed.

COVID 19 Protection Framework - The nature of club four wheel driving means that there is a likelihood that assistance may need to be provided, often in close proximity, including inside vehicles in emergency situations.  There are also often confined spaces at campsites and other locations.  For this reason, it will be a requirement for all trip participants to have a valid Vaccine Pass to participate in any club events, whilst Auckland is under Red or Orange settings. Our environment is continuing to evolve with the emergence of Omicron in our community, and for that reason we will reassess our position once the government moves the Auckland region to a Green setting.

• Respect what others determine to be safe distancing practices for themselves.
• The names of all passengers in your vehicle will be recorded on the day, for contract tracing purposes.
• If you are sick, stay at home.
• Social distancing rules must be followed on this trip.

Trip rules & vehicle requirements 

Please make sure you have read and understand all the club trip rules and vehicle requirements before registering for this trip.

Further notes on requirements:

• A UHF radio (also known as PRS) is required for this trip, either a hand-held or in-car unit.
• At-least all-terrain tyres are required.
• A rated recovery point fitted to at-least one end of the vehicle is sufficient for Waiuku Forest trips (preferably both ends, front and rear).
• A 2kg fire extinguisher is required in every vehicle (two 1kg fire extinguishers is an acceptable alternative but not recommended).
• Children (under 16) must wear Hi-Vis. It is your responsibility to make sure the children in your vehicle have and wear Hi-Vis.

Your vehicle will be checked, when you arrive to make sure you meet the requirements.

A note on tow balls 

A rated recovery point is required as the standard tow points on most standard 4WDs are not strong enough to take the loadings from a snatch recovery. The vehicle owner will be responsible for any damage to their own vehicle as well as damage caused to a recovery vehicle.    If you do not have a rated rear recovery hook but do have a tow bar, we recommend the tow ball is removed before the trip. A tow ball is not strong enough, and not designed, for the shock loads generated during a snatch recovery. Using a tow ball as a recovery point poses a very high risk to bystanders and should never be done! Removing the tow ball and fitting a shackle through the tow ball bolt hole, can be a suitable alternative to a rated tow hook on the rear of your vehicle.

Please seek advice on the recovery points on your vehicle before the trip if you are unsure.