Friday January 15 2016. It’s mid-afternoon and with ‘Little Whale’ in tow, NZ4WD magazine contributor Murray Taylor is on his way north for the annual Ongarue School Family Safari in the King Country. 

On arrival the event campsite in the Ongarue School grounds and next door rugby paddock was already starting to fill up with 4WDers and their tents, caravans etc.
A very relaxed evening was had, along with a restful night’s sleep. The morning was cool and overcast and around 8.45am the call was made to assemble in our trucks for a briefing.

Newest was a toss-up between a Mitsubishi Pajero Sport VRX with 1500km on the clock, and a Toyota crew cab ‘Cruiser, the oldest a restored 1943 Willys army jeep, with around 30 all up.

Briefing over we followed the lead vehicle out the gate and down the main road for a short distance before turning hard left into a farm gate. Not long after we came to sheds and the farm house at which point the famer came out to lead us across and through his property.

Thanks to King Country 4WD club for the organization, to our leaders and especially to the land owners, for both their time and access to their land.

Finally, another big thanks to the cooks, especially the home baking. Looking forward to coming back already...
 
To read the full story in the April 2016 issue of NZ4WD go to Zinio.com (on sale March 21) or purchase your own hard copy at the Adrenalin store.