BOOK REVIEWS STORIES FROM OUR BACK ROADS: THE SOUTH ISLAND. STORIES FROM OUR BACK ROADS: THE NORTH ISLAND. Author Ray Stone RRP $49.99 inc GST each. Both soft cover. Published September 2020 by David Bateman Ltd. Available at book stores and online. ISBN 978-1-98-853829-7 (Sth Island) ISBN 978-1-98-853828-0 (Nth Island) Reviewed by Bevars Binnie
These two books tell stories about many of the lesser-known roads (or tracks) in New Zealand, and encourage you to drive them – in a suitable vehicle. They are not really route guides, but they do describe the routes, and recommend the maps you would need to find your way through. Ray Stone has driven all of the routes, and has obviously done a large amount of research about their history and their reasons for being where, and what, they are today. He gives some context around their place in both Maori and European history, and tells the stories of some of the people who helped create them, or
in some cases made them famous. There are notes about things to look out for on the way, and advice about places where washouts or other hazards may make the going difficult. He recommends the type of vehicle he thinks is needed to drive each road or track, and the type of tyres he thinks you should use (highway, all terrain, or mud). What he doesn’t say is that many of our veteran and vintage vehicles are quite capable of successfully negotiating a large number of them. After all when most of the roads in New Zealand were built they were little better than these. Ray does include warnings about steep descents in some places, so care would be required in two-wheel-braked vehicles. Ray gives some advice about respecting the environment, why heritage tracks are important, land ownership and access, maps, and much more. Most of the roads are unknown to me, and reading about them will probably tempt me to investigate at least some new
ones. There are quite a few that I have driven myself over the years, whether that has been on my own, or as part of VCC rallies. Reading the history and background of these has given me a greater understanding of them, and a desire to drive some of them again.
introduction, the section about the books, and the advice at the end of each one, then each road or track stands on its own. In these Covid-restricted times they will give readers many ideas for new, exciting and beautiful motoring experiences in our own country
I haven’t read all of the journeys in both books yet – I don’t think that many people would sit down and read them all in one go. The books are more suited for dipping into for a short diversion, planning a trip, or getting a fresh perspective about a road or track that you have already driven. There are about 65 back roads in total, and there are a few that could be combined into one trip.
Those of you who have a copy of Bruce Ansley’s Wild Roads – A New Zealand Journey will wonder if it is in some ways similar to these books. However they complement each other rather than being direct competitors, as Wild Roads incudes more main or major roads, and fewer tracks. There are a few, but not many, duplications between the books. Read all three of them if you get the opportunity.
Both books are a great read, and once you have read the
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