| NZ Silver Fern Rally: | Day One: Thursday 16 October | 16 October 2008 |
| Stage No |
Name | Distance | 1st car starts |
Status | Description |
| 1 | Hilton | 15.25kms | 09:45 | Fast hard based public roads with a light covering of loose metal that is easy on tyres. This stage winds and undulates over the foothills to the north of Timaru | |
| 2 | Richard Pearse | 11.6kms | 10:20 | Named after the aviation pioneer who conducted the first powered flight March 1903 some 9 months prior to the Wright Bros effort. This fast hard based public road stage starts just past a memorial to his efforts | |
| 3 | Hanging Rock | 7.18kms | 10:55 | The location takes its name from a large rock overhanging the Opihi River and scene of ancient rock drawings. Another hard based smooth public road with a light covering of loose metal | |
| 4 | Spur Road | 13.88kms | 11:25 | Fast hard based public roads with a light covering of loose metal that is easy on tyres. Climbs out of the Opihi Valley before descending to Fairlie. Magnificent views of the Mackenzie Basin and the Southern Alps | |
| 5 | Braemar | 24.85kms | 13:00 | Fast hard based public roads with a light covering of loose metal that is easy on tyres. Stage runs between Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki | |
| 6 | Phillips Road | 17.47kms | 15:10 | Used in 2006 the stage starts off with an interesting tighter section of road than used for the earlier part of the day before opening out into a faster open section. A light metal covering on this well formed road ensures plenty of slides and some excursions for the unwary |
| NZ Silver Fern Rally: | Day Two: Friday 17 October | 17 October 2008 |
| Stage No |
Name | Distance | 1st car starts |
Status | Description |
| 7 | Moutere | 15.48kms | 08:35 | A real Central Otago public road stage, quick, hard based with a slippery light metal covering | |
| 8 | St Bathans | 14.26kms | 09:30 | Reverse direction to 2006 a real Central Otago public road stage, quick, hard based with a slippery light metal covering. A delight to drive | |
| 9 | Crawford Hills | 12.8kms | 10:40 | Spoilt for choice in 2006 we left this one out but not this time. A real Central Otago public road stage, tight in places but still quick with a hard base and a light metal covering. Another that is a delight to drive | |
| 10 | Tiger Hills | 15kms | 11:03 | Deleted | A private road through the Orig Station. Starts on well maintained roads with a light metal covering before changing to typical Central Otago dirt roads that can become slippery when wet and even includes some grassed over sections of the old coach roads of the 1800’s. Last used in the 1976 Rally of NZ in combination with SS9 |
| 11 | The Nevis - pt 1 | 24.3kms | 12:20 | The most challenging stage never to have been run in NZ before. Stage starts at 350 metres above sea level and over the first 16km it climbs to 1265 metres before descending into the lower valley at 650 metres. The stage then opens out through the two Stations and into the disused gold mining areas of the 1800’s. Running through the valley are numerous water crossings and a small hill of just over 1000 metres where the road narrows considerably before another valley and narrow gorge with plenty of sharp water crossings where care is required. The final 15km is another saddle of just over 1100 metres and a steep winding descent back to 450 metres. Just absolutely magic to drive. | |
| 11A | The Nevis - pt 2 | 24.3kms | 14:05 |
| NZ Silver Fern Rally: | Day Three: Saturday 18 October | 18 October 2008 |
| Stage No |
Name | Distance | 1st car starts |
Status | Description |
| 12 | Hawksburn | 15.5kms | 08:05 | Shortened from what was used in 2006, Starts on hard based public roads with a light metal covering before changing to a power line / farm, access road with a mixture of dirt, light metal and bedrock surfaces. Water holes can develop after periods of wet weather and you need to pick your way around them. Real John Wayne territory so treat it accordingly. Stage ends with great views out over the Clyde Dam and Alexandra before a most interesting descent down past the lookout area to the valley floor. | |
| 13 | Lake Onslow | 93.6kms | 09:30 | Downgraded to a touring stage in 2006 when a snow storm struck the area and a white out occurred. This stage uses a mixture of tight and open roads, Well metalled public roads, dirt roads, patches of bedrock. Great surface when dry or not covered in snow or ice. Easy on tyres, terrific scenery | |
| 14 | Roxburgh | 25.13kms | 11:35 | This is a quick public road stage, starts on seal then changes to a well maintained public road. This is this reverse of the Three Brothers stage used in 2006. Easy on tyres and voted in the top five stages of 2006 | |
| 15 | Lonely Graves | 15.6kms | 12:20 | An interesting road that utilised the old railway track along side of the Clutha River. The location gains its name from an old gold miner who discovered an indentified body in the Clutha River and buried him with a headstone that reads “Somebody’s darling lies buried here”. We pass by that site. | |
| 16 | Bungtown | 37.49kms | 13:40 | Location gains its name from a town that went broke during the gold mining days. This stage is a mixture of the Mahinerangi stage of 2006 then turns right at the top of the hill and descends to Waitahuna. Roads are wide, fast and with a great surface. If it snows again remember to go left rather than through the gateway as was highlighted in the TV coverage of the event | |
| 17 | Berwick Forest | 52.99kms | 14:45 | A mixture of very good public and hard based forestry roads. This version of a stage has never been previously conducted |
| NZ Silver Fern Rally: | Day Four: Sunday 19 October | 19 October 2008 |
| Stage No |
Name | Distance | 1st car starts |
Status | Description |
| 18 | Big Stone Road | 12.65kms | 07:45 | Traditional Otago Coastal forest roads, medium to tight with good surfaces that are easy on tyres. This is a reverse of the Otago Rallies Kuri Bush stage and includes "Joe’s Corner" | |
| 19 | Taieri Beach | 29.69kms | 08:20 | Starts on hard based public roads before entering the Otago coastal forests. Stage is a mixture of tight and open sections along the major forest roads with the odd trap for the unwary. Used in the reverse direction to Jimmy McRae and Gary Smith’s Escort excursion | |
| 20 | Puerua Valley | 35.65kms | 09:40 | Fast undulating public roads with a well maintained surface that is easy on tyres. This is the first of the stages in the Catlins area. First used in the 1976 Rally of NZ it is a favourite with those competitors fortunate enough to have taken part in the Catlins Rally | |
| 21 | Burnt Flat | 15.3kms | 11:00 | Just a delight to drive. Well maintained hard based public roads just so typical of the area | |
| 22 | MacLennan | 26.78kms | 11:25 | This would be the slowest and tightest sections of roading used within the Catlins. Another that is a delight to drive through a scenic countryside | |
| 23 | Cairn Road | 41.68kms | 13:05 | Fast hard based wide public roads up a major valley. Big slides are promised. Ian Begg should know this one as the stage finishes just past his front gate. Like the previous Catlins stages, it was part of the 1976 Rally of NZ route. | |
| 24 | Waikawa Valley | 49.8kms | 14:10 | Another 1976 stage, part of which has been used in previous Southland Rallies. Great road surfaces and an interesting farming countryside |
| NZ Silver Fern Rally: | Day Five: Monday 20 October | 20 October 2008 |
| Stage No |
Name | Distance | 1st car starts |
Status | Description |
| 25 | Hokonui | 39.9kms | 08:30 | Fast well maintained rural Southland public roads. Area is famed for its illegal whisky stills in the days of prohibition and for its farming | |
| 26 | Chatton North | 28.71kms | 09:35 | Well maintained public roads over rolling countryside | |
| 27 | Winding Creek - pt 1 | 39.6kms | 10:55 | Probably the best stage that has never been used in Southland previously, great road surface, tight then open, rolling countryside before climbing up into the higher Northern Southland /West Otago farming areas. Magnificent countryside | |
| 27A | Winding Creek pt 2 | 12.11kms | 11:40 | ||
| 28 | Rankleburn | 27.8kms | 00:00 | Deleted | This is an old stage of the 1980’s Very hard based forestry roads, tight in places, surface is not as hard on tyres as it was in the old days. A true Escort stage |
| 29 | Beaumont | 26.5kms | 00:00 | Deleted | This is an old favourite stage of the 1980’s Very hard based forestry roads, tight in places. Even the spare wheel used to scream for mercy in the old days. |
| 30 | Burma Road | 24.02kms | 14:15 | Hard based wide fast public roads with a great surface, roads were used in the 1976 Rally of NZ | |
| 31 | Moir Farm | 26.63kms | 15:05 | Hard based wide fast public roads with a great surface, roads were used in the 1976 Rally of NZ. John Metherell should know this one, it starts at his front gate. |
| NZ Silver Fern Rally: | Day Six: Tuesday 21 October | 21 October 2008 |
| Stage No |
Name | Distance | 1st car starts |
Status | Description |
| 32 | Taieri Peaks | 29.45kms | 08:40 | This is a reverse direction of the 2006 Golden Bar stage likened by many to a 1000 Lakes stage with its flowing nature and numerous brows. Travelling uphill this time it is quite different to drive. A great surface, stunning countryside and just check out how much bigger the gold mine at McRaes has become. | |
| 33 | Hampden | 10.25kms | 10:15 | This is an old forestry stage from the 1970's. Sweet roads with interesting views out to sea | |
| 34 | Herbert | 18.2kms | 10:55 | Another old forestry stage from the '70's well formed roads with a light metal cover, flows like the roads of old before the big logging trucks altered all the road designs and layouts | |
| 35 | Coal Pit Road | 15.2kms | 12:05 | Fast undulating rolling North Otago countryside on well maintained public roads where the surface never sweeps clean. Slippery rolling metal numerous brows and berms at the edges of the roads make for interesting driving | |
| 36 | Meyers Pass | 29.25kms | 13:45 | Like Danseys Pass this is an old stage from the past that takes us through the old coach roads and high country passes of pioneer days. Stage starts on open fast roads along the Hakataramea Valley floor before travelling through the pass areas. Road is often used for a training run by Richie McCaw | |
| 37 | Waimate Forest | 22.95kms | 15:05 | Anna’s favourite stage from 2006. This stage is recognised as one of the best forest stages in NZ with its hard based clean surfaces before a steep downhill descent onto public roads and out through a small valley towards Waimate. Watch out for wild pigs and wallabies within the forest | |
| 38 | Backline Road | 32.34kms | 16:10 | Fast wide and sweeping in places, narrow in others. This well maintained public road is a pleasure to drive with numerous brows and interesting off camber corners that trap the unwary. A great end to the days run |
| NZ Silver Fern Rally: | Day Seven: Wednesday 22 October | 22 October 2008 |
| Stage No |
Name | Distance | 1st car starts |
Status | Description |
| 39 | Kakahu Forest | 14.05kms | 08:50 | Steep very well maintained roads through well developed forest, reasonably tight in places this forest has been closed to rallying since 1987. This forest was the start of rally sport in South Canterbury and it’s great to return to this venue | |
| 40 | Four Peaks | 9.62kms | 09:25 | Another old public road stage last used in 1978, Fast in places with a few narrow tighter portions. A well maintained public road | |
| 41 | Coleridge | 24.87kms | 11:20 | This is a reverse of Lake Lyndon from 2006. Well maintained roads with a small section of tarmac in the centre. Because of the surrounding countryside, small rock falls can occur at anytime. An interesting little bridge marks the midpoint of the stage | |
| 42 | Pig Saddle Road | 9.55kms | 12:15 | A light metal covering on a well formed public road tight in places with a few brows for good measure. Parts of this stage and the following stage were used in the 1980 Rally NZ. | |
| 43 | Malvern Hills | 12.55kms | 13:20 | A light metal covering on a faster public road | |
| 44 | Lees Valley | 42.44kms | 14:10 | Used in 2006 The first 17km winds over some passes and through gorges so don’t look at the drops, before opening out across the valley floor. Then returning to unfenced and narrower sections of road. This stage ends prior to the river crossing where the stage was split during the 06 event. | |
| 45 | Okuku Pass | 27.83kms | 15:25 | As used for part two of Lees Valley in 2006. A hard based narrow road over inland passes that finishes alongside the Ashley Forest. Recent maintenance has repaired the sections of road damaged by the snows of 06. |
| NZ Silver Fern Rally: | Day Eight: Thursday 23 October | 23 October 2008 |
| Stage No |
Name | Distance | 1st car starts |
Status | Description |
| 46 | Happy Valley | 32.9kms | 08:30 | Fast open well maintained roads with numerous small tight tarmac sections through little valleys and across bridges. | |
| 47 | Kaiwara | 31.41kms | 09:50 | Shortened and a reverse of Whakarau South of 2006. Starts on fast sweeping public roads before winding its way through a narrow gorge and over passes into inland Canterbury. Travelling this direction you get a good view of the hillside that Francis Tuthill drove the Porsche down when he slipped off the road in 06. | |
| 48 | Hookhamsnyvy Road | 10.8kms | 11:15 | What a delightful stage to discover, Starts in a quick valley before running along a ridge line and then dropping into another valley. Great views of the back of the Inland Kaikoura Range. Can be slippery when wet | |
| 49 | Kererengu | 3.1kms | 13:40 | Another of nature’s hidden secrets, Starts on tarmac with a short hill climb, drops into and out of a small valley before returning to the coastline. Picture perfect | |
| 50 | Blind River | 10.32kms | 14:25 | As used in 2006, Starts on fast wide public road then continues onto narrow tighter roads through some of Marlborough’s grape fields | |
| 51 | Taylor Pass | 9.04kms | 15:00 | As used in 2006, Starts with a quick section along the valley floor before crossing a narrow pass and descending through a tight narrow gorge and a ford before opening out towards the finish. A fitting stage to end the event on |