At the bottom of 90 Mile Beach, Gum Diggers Track runs around the Tauroa Peninsula at Ahipara. It is highly recommended that Gum Diggers Track is only attempted in a clockwise direction due to dunes that are very difficult to traverse up if traveling anti clockwise.
Much of Gum Diggers Track is on the beach around Tauroa Point and is only passable for 2-3 hours either side of low tide. Make sure you check the local tide times before venturing out onto the beach. Getting caught in the tide could mean your vehicle getting stuck, your vehicle being lost to the tide, and physical danger.
Ahipara tide times: http://www.metservice.com/marine/tides/ahipara-bay
It is highly recommended that you don’t try Gum Diggers Track alone, there are several muddy sections, water crossings, and the beach where it’s easy to get stuck and a pusher might be required.
This track was sent in by one of our members who took their 4wd around here, if you have some motorcycle pics of Gum Diggers Track post them below!
Contributed by: @eddieb
Track type: Beach
Track composition: Rough, Loose, Steep
Slippery when wet?: No
Suitable for bikes <650cc? Experienced
Suitable for bikes >650cc? Not recommended
River crossings? Yes
Rode this track just after Easter 2021. It’s a heavily used 4X4 track; dirty-shiney (winch) and specialised trucks. On a bike there are some deep mud holes at the top of gum diggers, and plenty soft sand on the south western side of the coast section. Lots of cheat options available to avoid the worst mud-holes and ruts. Coast section is better at low tide, and impassable 2 hours either side of high tide. Highly recommended. Huge amount of fun and the coast section is stunning scenery. Needs proper off-road tyres and not dual-sport/adventure rubber unless a very dry track.
Test photo…
This track is now closed indefinitely.
adding that you can still ride around some parts, but not over the dunes. Locals decided it was being over-run and damaging middens etc.
Thanks @octopusenvy – So looking at it anti clockwise you can ride the northern half from Ahipara around the point but not the southern half down the coast and back through the forest?