Overland from the coast to the Strath Taieri

Off road traverse through private farmland, via the Three O’Clock stream, to Sutton


Sun 8th Mar 2026

Unique Opportunity - 4WD cross country trip over the unique landforms that comprise our hinterland

Suitable for families

Travel Off Road Starting from Bucklands Crossing (just south of Waikouaiti), traverse inland past the Bendoran huts and Mt Misery, and onto Lamb Hill station.

Drive past the rain radar tower that provides those rain images on your weather app.

Descend down through the isolated Three O’Clock stream and climb the other side to transition onto the dry Strath Taieri tablelands

Traverse past Mt Stoker and Mt Ross, before eventually crossing the Taieri River to arrive at the settlement of Sutton.

Start at the coast, and end up on SH87.

A unique opportunity to travel over otherwise inaccessible country, with great photo opportunities on the way. A real fun day out with a difference.

Great Views of the coastal hills, Strath Taieri and Silverpeaks, and Rock & Pillars and Lammermoor Ranges

Restricted to “proper” 4WD vehicles

  • High/Low ratio transfer case

  • All Terrain or Mud Terrain tyres with a min of 4mm tread depth

  • Factory fitted or bolted tow point front and rear

  • Suitable for Ranger’s, Hilux’s, Pajero’s, Prado’s, Patrol’s, Surfs, and similar

Be Aware - This trip has some steep and narrow sections of track, and is not suitable for novice drivers. BUT, if you are comfortable driving on gravel roads and steep streets around Dunedin, you will cope fine, and enjoy the opportunity.

Limited to 120 vehicles, divided into 4 groups of 30 vehicles.

Trip Details

Travel over high ridges, with their view of distant mountains

And past the Lamb Hill Rain Radar tower

Descend into the Three O’Clock valley

Ford the Three O’Clock Stream

And climb out the other side

Then travel across the tableland of Mt Stoker and Mt Ross, to eventually arrive at the settlement of Sutton

This is a not to be missed experience where you get to travel across, and photograph, a sample of the unique country that comprises our rural hinterland

Event Notes

  • OR4G Event. This event is actually being run by the Otago Recreational 4WD Club (OR4G) as a charity fundraiser. The Taieri Rotary Club is providing the pre-event publicity, ticketing and other logistical support, and the Taieri Rotary Charitable Trust will be the beneficiary of the funds raised.

  • Only pre-purchased tickets. As a condition of insurance, we can not accept cash sales on the day.
    On line ticket sales will close off at 8pm on Sat 7th Mar (or sooner, once the max threshold of 120 entries reached).

  • Start location is Bucklands crossing, Ramrock Rd, East Otago (40 minutes north of Dunedin) https://maps.app.goo.gl/YrDRvXUcR745EnRX8.
    The end point is at Sutton, on SH87, 40min from Mosgiel.

  • You will be starting in groups at intervals between 9am and 10am. More details will be emailed to participants before the event.

  • Pre-Trip Briefing Form. To see the form outlining expected trip conditions and related details, click here https://trtoursnz.org/s/The-Coast-to-Taieri-Rotary-Charity-4WD-8-Mar-2026.pdf

Conditions of Participation

  • 4WD vehicles only, equipped with

    • High/Low transfer case

    • A/T or M/T tyres (NO road tyres) with with a minimum of 4mm tread depth.

    • A factory fitted or bolted tow point front and rear (Replace towballs with a 3.2T bow shackle).

      And current WOF and Rego

  • Fully Licensed Drivers only. No learners or restricted.

  • Required equipment to be carried.
    Although most of the track will be on hard ground, there are a several steep stretches and potentially muddy crossings, so there is a good chance you may need to tow, or be towed, for a short length. So, also to be carried

    • Spade or shovel

    • 9m+ tow strop (standard 4m Repco type tow ropes not adequate)

    • Bow shackle (3.2T min) for attaching tow strop to vehicle

    • Soft Shackle for joining tow strops if needed.

    • Appropriate First Aid Kit

  • AND, your exhaust fitted with a spark arrester.
    NOTE: You can make one quite simply by buying a cheap stainless steel sieve, cutting the mesh out, and folding it over your exhaust secured by a hose clamp.

  • You agree that the Otago Recreational 4WD Club (OR4G) and its members, the Rotary Club of Taieri and its members, event marshals, and the property owners, are indemnified against any loss that may occur by participating in this event, irrespective of the cause

  • You agree to obey all instructions given by event marshals

  • You will receive a full ticket refund if the weather or other events mean the event can not proceed as planned

  • No Dogs allowed

Purchase Ticket here

Full refund of ticket purchase is available until 4 days before the event.

If the event is postponed due to weather, then a full refund is also available