The latest in this very popular series is road trip like no other taking in some of the most picturesque countryside it’s possible to see on a day trip. We head south and after a hearty morning tea at Dannevirke we head to Woodville and, we hope, we’ll drive the new highway to Ashhurst which is on schedule to open in June 2025. After a comfort stop at the Domain we head all the way up the beautiful Pohangina Valley which ultimately crosses the magnificent Rangitikei River to State Highway 1. We have lunch at Flat Hills Café, just north of Ohingaiti and after a brief stop in Taihape our return journey is over the ‘Gentle Annie’ road with its majestic views across the Inland Patea to the Ruahine Ranges and Hawke’s Bay beyond. What a day of contrasting landscapes and big country.