Story and photos by Kate Taylor

Asking “how four-wheel-drive a four-wheel-drive trip will be?” was an auspicious start for this journalist offered the opportunity to ‘tagalong’ on one of Robbie and Connie Crickett’s 1250-kilometre NZ Adventures’ High Country Safaris.’

Usually I would class myself as a good vehicle passenger – chatty, happy and not an ounce of carsickness. But I think our hosts received the occasional message about my state of mind… a tight grip on the door handle, mouth firmly shut and eyes into the hillside.

Certainly some of the places driven in the tour are not for the fainthearted, but that’s more in terms of the sheer drops or long, steep inclines up to spectacular views and back down again.

NZ Adventures is one of several around the country offering high country experiences. Its summer/spring itinerary includes five Marlborough to Central Otago trips, one a month from December until April, as well as Mackenzie Country, West Coast and southern routes.

The trips cater for people with their own 4WD vehicles, preferably with experienced 4WD drivers.

On our trip, 10 vehicles carried 21 people from the starting point in Blenheim down to Cardrona, 1250km in total. We started the trip as strangers and ended as friends thanks to the friendly banter over motel breakfasts, coffee and biscuits from the back of a ute, station lunches and evening meals back in civilisation.

Robbie and Connie have owned NZ Adventures since 2013 having been involved with previous owners and running their own motorcycle tours.

The couple value their relationships with the landowners, says Connie.

“There’s a certain degree of trust as they don’t want to have issues on their farms. Many of them become friends… we love seeing them.”

Robbie agrees.

“People and friendships are as important and memorable as the scenic views and the farms we drive through.”

To read the full story in the September 2016 issue of NZ4WD go to Zinio.com (August 22) or purchase your own hard copy at the Adrenalin store.