The Wairarapa area in the south-eastern corner of New Zealand’s North Island is one of the country’s  most underrated road trip regions.

Yeah, yeah, we all know about Martinborough and its wine industry. But there is a lot more to this region that a few bottles of high-class plonk.

There’s a clue in the name – it means “glistening waters”, given by Maori explorer Haunui who saw its lake and rivers from atop the Tararua Ranges to the west.

For the most part it is a soft and gentle landscape of pancake-flat plains that snuggle between the western mountains and a range of low rolling hills to the east.

Most drivers traversing the region take State Highway 2, the main trunk highway, but the best road trip is the run from Martinborough on a back road, Route 52, north to SH2 at Waipukurau.

This is heartland NZ, the back of … Read more

Here’s a great British road trip that will take you from London to the world-famous university city of Cambridge, but the region has much more to offer than just the beauty of this ancient seat of learning.

This is an easy two-day tour that takes in some of East Anglia’s gorgeous little villages, the oldest Norman cathedral in the country and one of the Great Houses of England. You then have a whole day in Cambridge.  But why cut it short? Spend a couple of days in the city. There’s plenty to keep you occupied.

You could extend it much longer than that by exploring the rest of East Anglia, in particular Constable Country where the famous painter did much of his work.

Buy my eBook Great British Road Trips and it will help you do that and give you hundreds of road trip ideas in Britain. Go to https://greatbritishroadtrips.co.uk/… Read more

Just had something added to my bucket list. The Stone Circle Experience at Stonehenge.

When I first went there in 1979 you could get up close.  There was a rope “fence” around it but most people hopped over it and got inside the circle.

The ever-increasing numbers arriving at the site, however, meant that it had to be more tightly controlled so that, now, on the regular visiting opportunity you get near but not in.

Except . . .

Here’s an unforgettable opportunity to spend time inside the magical circle.

The Stone Circle Experience takes you up close to this world-famous monument. Learn the secrets of the stones from your knowledgeable host and experience the power and mystery of these ancient sarsens and bluestones for yourself.

Visits last for an hour and take place in the early morning or evening, outside normal visiting hours. They’re also subject to very … Read more

Ever felt you’d like to drive some real Big Boys’ Toys like a bulldozer, a front-end loader or a digger?  Just for the fun of it? Then take a road trip to Invercargill in New Zealand’s deep south.

At Dig This Invercargill you can have a go at feeling like a superhero in a 4 tonne front-end loader, stacking up to 20 tonnes of tyres.

Or dig a whole lot of dirt in the king of the gravel pit. Dump, dig and push your way around in a five-tonne digger. Guide your hulking piece of machinery through delicate twirls and spins that would seem at home in a ballet performance. Operate five tonnes of sheer power, in a machine that can master the most gentle of manoeuvres.

And if five tonnes isn’t enough heavy metal for you, have a go with a mega-monster, the 15 tonne version

But for the … Read more

The Leigh / Pakiri / Mangawhai / Waipu Road

If you are planning a road trip from Auckland, New Zealand, into Northland (the locals will try to kid you it’s ‘the winterless north’) why stick to boring and ultra-busy State Highway 1?

It’s a road trip for heaven’s sake. Do something different. Quit the highway. Go explore the byway.

This is a diversion from State Highway 1 in Northland that will take you through Matakana (a rapidly developing wine and food area), Leigh, Pakiri and the seaside resort village of Mangawhai back to SH1 at Waipu.

It’s a highly recommended detour if you have the day to spare – Goat Island Marine reserve is reason enough to go this way but so are the vineyard cafes in Matakana and the long sandy stretch of Pakiri Beach.

Even on it’s own as a road trip it’s a great exploration with a … Read more