After several months hard work New Zealand’s latest 4WD and exciting park officially opened at the end of June. The Jeep Woodhill 4WD Adventure Park has been in the planning for several months after Roger Winslade secured the exclusive licence to facilitate all 4WD events within Woodhill forest. With emphasis on fun Roger approached Chrysler New Zealand with a Jeep brand partnership opportunity and The Jeep Woodhill 4WD Adventure Park was born. “Jeep represents iconic off-road vehicles and the Jeep brand is associated with the outdoors and lifestyle activities” says Roger. Woodhill Forest has always been a popular place for 4WD enthusiasts but access had been limited until now. The park is just 35 minutes from central Auckland on the Helensville road and offers 2,250 acres comprising flat to steep forested sand hills with areas of mud and clay. The scenic forest trails travel through the changing forest environment to areas of interest including picnic spots, mud and clay challenges and steep hill climbs and descents. Roger had a vision of how he believed the forest could be used and after a while realised that anything was possible if he wanted to do it badly enough. He also wanted to promote safe use of 4WD vehicles and offer a great venue for family fun. “There is some awesome terrain in Woodhill Forest, and I always leave with a smile on my face after having a drive around,” says Roger. For Chrysler New Zealand the park provides a fantastic opportunity for people to have fun and enjoy the capability of their 4WD vehicle in a safe environment. With land access for four-wheel-driving becoming increasingly difficult the park will offer both 4WD novices and enthusiasts the possibility of regular off-road adventures in the forest with friends and family. All tracks are “non scratch” to vehicles and are built for standard factory 4WDs although there are the tougher areas for those with more experience and capable vehicles. The Jeep Woodhill 4WD Adventure Park aims to work with 4WD clubs to ensure tracks and trails are made and maintained to encourage safe and challenging off-road vehicle use. Trails are rated according to vehicle and experience required and the more challenging areas will have by-pass routes and return trails so drivers can try them again. People will be able to travel at their own pace and explore the many trails in the forest and those with a sharp eye will see some of the natural wildlife that has made Woodhill Forest its home. The park will also cater for family picnics areas, corporate events, and tag-a-long forest safari events to the northern end of Woodhill Forest as well as night events. The sand-based forest is ideal for four wheeling at any time of the year and there are even quite a few optional clay areas to test driver and vehicle. Tracks and trails are sign posted with directional arrows using different colours for different trails visitors will be given a map of the trails as a guide before they start. Driving off sometimes means you will get stuck and the Jeep Woodhill 4WD Adventure Park will gladly assist with recovery. However should you be clearly driving outside your ability, experience level and vehicle capability you will be charged $50 for the rescue, which is fair enough. Another feature of the Jeep Woodhill 4WD Adventure Park is the driver training provided by Colin Burden from Track Wise Ltd who has over 25 years’ experience owning and driving many types of 4WD vehicles. The driver training, to NZQA 4WD standards can be free if certain criteria are met. There is a very comprehensive website in place at www.jeep4wdpark.co.nz where full details can be found and bookings for the tag-a-long tours made. You can also join The Mud Club and receive newsletters, special offers, priority bookings for tag-a-long trips, night forest trips and 4WD off-road training. Access is via Rimmers Road and the park is operating every Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm, wet or fine. *