Ōtaki Gorge Road runs parallel to Ōtaki River in the Kāpiti Coast District of New Zealand’s North Island.

The picturesque, scenic route of Ōtaki Gorge Road follows the Ōtaki River. At times it can be a dramatic, white-knuckle drive through stunning scenery.

Ōtaki Gorge Road runs parallel to Ōtaki River in the Kāpiti Coast District of New Zealand’s North Island.

Located off State Highway 1, just over an hour’s drive north of Wellington, the 18-kilometre, dead-end road leads to Ōtaki Forks, the main western entrance to the Tararua Forest Park. 

Narrow and winding, it features dense greenery on one side and dramatic drops to the river on the other. The final 5km of the road are not sealed.

Parts of the road remain closed to vehicles and pedestrians due to major slips in 2020 and 2021. Including access to Ōtaki Forks. The Department of Conservation has established an alternative public walking access to the Tararua Forest Park.

Location details

Jurisdiction Kāpiti Coast District Council
Permits required Yes, apply for a permit
Location descriptors Gorges, hills, rivers, roads, scenic roads, valleys, walking tracks, countryside, scenic views, nature, peaceful, foliage.

Looking for more?

The screen location of Whiitemans Valley, nestled among trees and hills, old buildings have been built to mimic an old town.

Whitemans Valley

Whitemans Valley, Upper Hutt | 10An historical film set, green pastures, and a mountainous backdrop.

The Holy Trinity Church is a good example of a rural mid-to late-19th-century New Zealand church. Built in 1870, it is a small, rural church in Ohariu Valley in Johnsonville, Wellington. It has a small graveyard associated with it.

Holy Trinity Church

638 Ohariu Valley Road, Ohariu, Wellington | 69Holy Trinity is a good example of a rural mid-to late-19th-century New Zealand church.

Maymorn train station

Maymorn Train Station

Maymorn Road, Maymorn, Upper Hutt | 63A rural train station near the base of the Remutaka Range.

The 4 lane motorway of Transmission Gully, surrounded by green hills.

Transmission Gully

Transmission Gully, State Highway 1, Paekākāriki | 59An impressive motorway, 100 years in the making, in and out of the capital.

An aerial view of the Willowbank Quarry with work trucks and heavy machinery under a sunny blue sky.

Willowbank Quarry

264b Paremata Haywards Road, Judgeford | 47A quarry recognised for its environmental efforts, in a stunning rural setting.

The screen location of West Wind Farm and Mākara Bunker at sunset, with 360 views of Wellington and the wind farm, as well as the historic fort Opau.

West Wind Farm and Mākara Bunker

140 Opau Road, Mākara, Wellington | 41This rugged ridge above Wellington provides spectacular views and access to a unique wind farm and the historic Fort Opau.

The native trees lining the path in Pikarere Firest.

Pikarere Forest

Pikarere Street, Porirua | 120Pikarere Forest offers scenic walks through impressive native trees.

Mangaroa Valley Road screen location, a scenic rural setting with native forest, farmland, and a mountainous backdrop.

Mangaroa Valley Road

Mangaroa, Upper Hutt | 18A scenic rural setting with access to native forest, and walking and biking trails.

The screen location of Ōrongorongo Station, with many buildings, old and new, as well as views of the ocean and mountains.

Ōrongorongo Station

Coast Road, Wainuiomata, Lower Hutt | 1Set on a remote and rugged coastline, Ōrongorongo Station is one of the longest-running farms in New Zealand.

The rural Western Lake road, which connects the Remutaka Range to Lake Wairarapa, features lush green fields and mountains.

Western Lake Road

Western Lake Road, Western Lake, Wairarapa | 9Idyllic countryside bordered by spectacular mountains and wetlands.

A rural setting with panoramic seascapes, Pikarere Farm is an iconic sheep and beef station overlooking Tītahi Bay in Porirua, New Zealand.

Pikarere Farm

Takapūwāhia, Porirua | 8A rural setting with panoramic seascapes just north of the capital city.

Ohariu Valley Road in Wellington travels through a slice of quintessential Kiwi countryside.

Ohariu Valley Road

Ohariu, Wellington | 7A quaint, countryside district on Wellington’s urban doorstep.

Ngaumututawa Road Grain Store, an industrial setting in a countryside suburb of Masterton.

Ngaumututawa Road

Ngaumutawa Road, Masterton | 6An industrial setting in a countryside suburb of Masterton.

A short drive from the city is a stunning venue. Perched on a rugged coastline, it has sweeping views over the Cook Strait and the South Island.

Boomrock

292 Boom Rock Road, Ohariu Valley, Wellington | 5A short drive from the city is a stunning venue. Perched on a rugged coastline, it has sweeping views over the Cook Strait and the South Island.

The screen location of Waitohu Valley Ōtaki, features native and exotic forests, pastoral lands, and wetlands.

Waitohu Valley Ōtaki

Waitohu Valley Road, Manawatu-Wanganui | 3The valley is home to native and exotic forests, farmlands, and wetlands.