If you enjoy quiet country road and hills with beautiful scenery, then the Ohiti Road – Crownthorpe Loop is a must. Be sure to start with a fully charged battery as the hills are quite steep. There are vast vineyards mostly owned by Delegat Wines (one of New Zealand’s largest family owned and managed winemakers producing super-premium NZ wines for over 50 years), as well as farmland, orchards and rolling hills. Estimated Distance – 47 Kms

Matapiro Station

Route – Fernhill – Ohiti Rd – Matapiro Rd – Taihape Rd- Fernhill

Estimated Distance – 47 Kms

Additional Hazards: Country Rds, Ascents and descents, Open speed limit traffic. Isolation. Mobile Phone coverage?

Cafe: BYO

Spring 2019. On a windy day we headed out to do a repeat of the above loop. But because of the wind, we changed the route. So here is the alternative, which took in a visit to Crownthorpe Church.

Delegats vineyards

Early cherry

Crownthorpe Church