G'day folks

How many of us are there here?
I'm in Chch with my trusty Freelander and project SIII.

Kia Ora, I'm here, in Auckland though...

hey! im in chch too, well kinda. i live in woodend...

Hello, I'm further south in Central Otago.

Hello Grumpy,
Beautiful looking Series111. I live near Waiuku. Had a couple of weeks, with a fellow Land rover nut ( Doug ), checking out the trails around the SI back in March. I always enjoy an annual trip down south to see some real scenery. At present I have a Disco 2 (2003), an early Defender 90 (1988) and a Series 2a LWB flat bed (1966). Would buy a few more but the wife keeps horses!! Doug and I have been working our way through the Offroading book of 150 4wd trails. Next time we are down there for a 2 week tour we are going to spend more time concentrating around the area south of Omarama.
Will slip in a few photos when I sorted through the collection.

Here are some photos of the trial horses I own at present.
The 90 tends to be used for the more rugged club trips whilst the Disco is the everyday drive and main long distance travel wagon. When I have sorted out the photo album I will make another attempt at putting up a picture of the Series2a farm flatbed.

Vicar said:

Hello Grumpy,
Beautiful looking Series111. I live near Waiuku. Had a couple of weeks, with a fellow Land rover nut ( Doug ), checking out the trails around the SI back in March. I always enjoy an annual trip down south to see some real scenery. At present I have a Disco 2 (2003), an early Defender 90 (1988) and a Series 2a LWB flat bed (1966). Would buy a few more but the wife keeps horses!! Doug and I have been working our way through the Offroading book of 150 4wd trails. Next time we are down there for a 2 week tour we are going to spend more time concentrating around the area south of Omarama.
Will slip in a few photos when I sorted through the collection.

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Nice trucks #Vicar. Does the D2 have the center diff lock? It amazes me LR ditched it to rely on the TC for D2. I found that my old D1 needed to have the lock engaged when I hit the beach, so wouldn't fancy taking a D2 there. The Freelander doesn't even know its left the road - well it didn't till the IRD got cooked! I've been looking at later Classic RR lately and with their viscous center diff - they look like the ideal 'big' Landie in my books Probably cos I've never owned one - real life might prove otherwise!

You'll be in my favourite part of the world down around Omarama. I spend a lot of time down there. I love being in Mackenzie Country. I head that way with my son regularly and drive out of Fairly and through Burks Pass always makes me feel good! We skip around between Tekapo, Twizel and Otematata fishing and playing golf. We used to just use Tekapo as a rest stop - but if you're into golf, the newish Cairns course is a great course to play. If you're after places to base yourself, Buscot Station just north and Dunstan Downs just south of Omarama are great. I've never stayed at Dunstan Downs, but I broke down on the main road right outside the station's farm house and the farmer went out of his way to help us out - great fella and family. I'm sure a lot of the tracks around that area will pass through their land, its a huge and interesting station.

If you're heading through Chch, you'll have to stop off for a beer - or maybe I might just "happen" to make a trip down south and say Hi down there. Might be able to get #HTR to pop up as well (or any other folks) - make it a pukka LZ meet up

GrumpyGel said:

Nice trucks #Vicar. Does the D2 have the center diff lock? It amazes me LR ditched it to rely on the TC for D2. I found that my old D1 needed to have the lock engaged when I hit the beach, so wouldn't fancy taking a D2 there. The Freelander doesn't even know its left the road - well it didn't till the IRD got cooked! I've been looking at later Classic RR lately and with their viscous center diff - they look like the ideal 'big' Landie in my books Probably cos I've never owned one - real life might prove otherwise!

You'll be in my favourite part of the world down around Omarama. I spend a lot of time down there. I love being in Mackenzie Country. I head that way with my son regularly and drive out of Fairly and through Burks Pass always makes me feel good! We skip around between Tekapo, Twizel and Otematata fishing and playing golf. We used to just use Tekapo as a rest stop - but if you're into golf, the newish Cairns course is a great course to play. If you're after places to base yourself, Buscot Station just north and Dunstan Downs just south of Omarama are great. I've never stayed at Dunstan Downs, but I broke down on the main road right outside the station's farm house and the farmer went out of his way to help us out - great fella and family. I'm sure a lot of the tracks around that area will pass through their land, its a huge and interesting station.

If you're heading through Chch, you'll have to stop off for a beer - or maybe I might just "happen" to make a trip down south and say Hi down there. Might be able to get #HTR to pop up as well (or any other folks) - make it a pukka LZ meet up

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Cheers for the comment about the truck. The D2 is one of those with traction control. It is a whole different approach to offroading. It was a daft idea possibly due to an unforeseen contamination by the same paper pushers who devastated BMC when cost took over from smart design decisions. Even in these times a lack of " common dog " ( common sense ) results in impractical design from people who have no practical experience using the product they are manufacturing. So much is made of modern technology and safety against older design vehicles such as the Defender. Strange how there have been massive amounts of vehicle recalls due to faulty airbags and other vital parts. I heard the tale of a normally excellent marque whose computer in one model decided to switch off the engine with the result the occupants were fatally rear-ended on a freeway.

Now on the more rewarding subject of real vehicles that one actual has to be driven, a Classic RR would be on my list. Just a guess, but I suspect if you or I found one in fine condition throughout, we would be reluctant to take too far up the rough tracks.

Of course the D2 owes quite a lot to the Freelander. I have found the hill descent control a smart piece of kit. Whilst the Freelander has had its issues, it appeared to prove itself in the G4. The mark 2 has had excellent press so it is a shame it is to be replaced by the new Disco Sport. Had a sit in the latter recently but I would still favour the F2.

Due to the fact Doug had never done an extended tour of the SI we tried to cover as much ground as possible so missed out tracks such as the Nevis and others in the area I mentioned.We kicked off with Molesworth and Rainbow before doing some of the mid island roads on our way to Mt Aspiring. From around there we headed back north via the West Coast. One track that really hit the soul was Serpentine where when you are the the midst of all that tussock and the track stretching to the horizon.

My first safari down there some years back kicked off from Otematata then across the top to St Bathans. Next day we did Leaning Rock and some of the Dunstan Range. Whilst have a variety of good tracks here in the north I soon tire of the greenery and miss the mountains and big rivers. I would certainly look forward to some company down south from those in the know. If you happen to use GPS just happens one day throws a wobbly leaving you adrift up here in the north, by all means drop in. We can always break open another bale of straw.

Maybe you could remind me the name of this brilliant structure up there in the high ground. I tried to post a better photo but for some reason would not take. However I did finally get the 2a sorted.

Hope the weather is treating you well down there. I hear you have been short of water. I see the picture came up twice. The system was giving me grief at 2am!

An Auckland Defender driver here... hi fellow kiwi Landy Zoners.

LOUNZ said:

An Auckland Defender driver here... hi fellow kiwi Landy Zoners.

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Hello there LOUNZ. Apologies for a late response to your post. That is a fabulous set of wheels you have there. Ideal for carrying that number of dogs. The 3 we have are Mini Schnauzer size. I took one of with me when I did the South Island trip last year. If you have ever considered joining the Land rover club in Auckland, they do have runs for shiny vehicles. Looking at that smart Defender I am sure your would not wish to take it where it could sustain panel damage.
Whilst hammering away at the keys how are things Grumpy et al. Doug and I have planned our trip down south in March. Basically we are making a dash for Fairlie before we start going on to metal. We will camp at least two nights in Twizel ( or close to it ) to check out the Dobson, Ahuriri and Benmore before making our way to Wanaka for at least the first day of the Airshow. After that the Nevis, Poolburn and Manorburn to see if we can find a piglet on the road. The idea then is to do a Southern sweep to see the Catlins and any other back roads before heading back north toward Kyeburn, Dansys P and on to the Hakataramea to Fairlie.
If you happen to be at Omarama / Twizel region when we are down there I can keep in touch to for a possible meet. I am afraid we are going to by - pass ChCh via Oxford and Mt Somers.
We are not quite there yet but may I wish everyone on the thread a wonderful Christmas and dream times in their Landies

Hi All & hope everyone has a merry Christmas and enjoyable 'holiday season' - if you're holidaying!

Sounds like a great trip @Vicar and I'll definitely try to meet up when you're down MacKenzie way.

My SIII now has a new owner down in Queenstown - although I suspect it won't be there for to long before he sells it on after restoring it. It was to much of a project for me. I hadn't done much work to it at all in the time I had it as there were to many places to start! I've got myself a project Freelander that's more my level of commitment - so the deal with 'management' was that the SIII made room for it

Not a nz myself but is literally the nicest country ever, I want to live there, enjoyed it so much.

flat said:

Not a nz myself but is literally the nicest country ever, I want to live there, enjoyed it so much.

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G'day Flat,
I see you are the owner of a sharp looking army vehicle. It is a frustration over here to see the huge number of such Land Rovers for sale in the UK and the hurdles we have to leap to import one of them. Not sure when you were last in the country but on the whole the real scenery has not changed. If you ever have the chance to pay us another visit keep in touch as I am sure some of us could help see some of the country.

Ahoy there Grumpy. Thanks for your good wishes for Christmas. I prefer to stay off the tar seal at that time. Doug and I will probably be tootling north through Mackenzie pass toward the end of March. We will make sure there some cool beer in Doug's fridge. With all the gadgets in and on his Defender it has almost reached the stage where he will have to tow a generator.

Cheers everyone, take care and have a pleasant carefree Christmas.

ere Grumpy - how far are yu from Woodend?

Vicar said:

G'day Flat,
I see you are the owner of a sharp looking army vehicle. It is a frustration over here to see the huge number of such Land Rovers for sale in the UK and the hurdles we have to leap to import one of them. Not sure when you were last in the country but on the whole the real scenery has not changed. If you ever have the chance to pay us another visit keep in touch as I am sure some of us could help see some of the country.

Ahoy there Grumpy. Thanks for your good wishes for Christmas. I prefer to stay off the tar seal at that time. Doug and I will probably be tootling north through Mackenzie pass toward the end of March. We will make sure there some cool beer in Doug's fridge. With all the gadgets in and on his Defender it has almost reached the stage where he will have to tow a generator.

Cheers everyone, take care and have a pleasant carefree Christmas.

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I'll definitely try to meet up - are you using 1 of the off road/back country books to plan your route?

The Mad Hat Man said:

ere Grumpy - how far are yu from Woodend?

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About 25 mins Mr Hats. Why you ask?

Did live a couple of K from there a few years back in Tuahiwi - use to go to Scotties (in Woodend) for our fish & chips. Still go there occasionally - but eat it a Woodend Beach.

I got rellies in Woodend

Hello Grumpy,

A couple of years back Doug and I decided to work our way through the 150 4wd trails in the Offroading New Zealand book. As yet we have stuck to those trails rated for 2 vehicles or less. This trip we may poke our nose up some 3 vehicle trails to the point where we get close to falling foul of the conditions. Another book I shall be taking is 4WD SOUTH by Mark Wilson as an additional source of info and detail.

We will be taking the road through Hakataramea Downs towards MacKenzie Pass road. We get the ferry north on the 1st April and I would like to get to Erewhon station to see the Clydesdales before we arrive at Picton. We got short of the station last year. Will keep in touch regards our progress nearer the time.

I expect you have done the Serpentine. Absolutely stunning rock formations and, dare I say it, a spiritual experience travelling through that endless expanse of tussock. Incredible terrain. You have some beautiful country down there in the South.

I will rustle up a few pictures of what you could see up north.

Happy trucking

Vicar said:

Hello Grumpy,

A couple of years back Doug and I decided to work our way through the 150 4wd trails in the Offroading New Zealand book. As yet we have stuck to those trails rated for 2 vehicles or less. This trip we may poke our nose up some 3 vehicle trails to the point where we get close to falling foul of the conditions. Another book I shall be taking is 4WD SOUTH by Mark Wilson as an additional source of info and detail.

We will be taking the road through Hakataramea Downs towards MacKenzie Pass road. We get the ferry north on the 1st April and I would like to get to Erewhon station to see the Clydesdales before we arrive at Picton. We got short of the station last year. Will keep in touch regards our progress nearer the time.

I expect you have done the Serpentine. Absolutely stunning rock formations and, dare I say it, a spiritual experience travelling through that endless expanse of tussock. Incredible terrain. You have some beautiful country down there in the South.

I will rustle up a few pictures of what you could see up north.

Happy trucking

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funnily enough my rellies are called Wilson

OOPS. Nothing to do with a Castaway and a football!