Wheels at Wanaka: Saving Lives with Southland Locator Beacons While Surrounded by Horsepower
This Easter, I had the pleasure of attending the final Wheels at Wanaka alongside the legendary John Munro, representing Southland Locator Beacon Charitable Trust. While our mission was to educate the public about life-saving Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs), we also had the bonus of being right near the main parade ground—giving us a prime view of one of Australasia’s largest and most spectacular vehicle shows.
From our humble 3x3m tent, we handed out crucial safety information, shared rescue stories, and talked with people from all walks of life about the importance of carrying a beacon in the New Zealand outdoors. In between conversations, we had front-row seats to thundering Caterpillars, classic trucks, rally cars, and the constant hum of engines that echoed across the 50+ acres of action.
65,000 Attendees. 5,000 Vehicles. And One Show-Stopping Send-Off.
Wheels at Wanaka was always going to be big—but this final event blew all expectations out of the water. Held over Good Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, the crowds were huge and the energy non-stop. Saturday was perfect autumn weather, drawing in tens of thousands and setting the tone for a massive day. Sunday brought some light rain, but it didn’t dampen spirits. Families strapped on gumboots, zipped up their jackets, and came back out to enjoy another round of action.
One of the standout moments was Saturday’s world record-breaking Caterpillar parade—242 machines strong, marking 100 years of the iconic brand. You could feel the ground tremble as the parade rolled by, a once-in-a-lifetime sight that drew cheers from the crowd and proud smiles from the operators.
From Roaring Engines to Life-Saving Tools
While the machinery on display was impressive, John Munro and I were focused on something just as powerful: saving lives. John’s been involved with the Southland Locator Beacon Trust since the very beginning in 1996 and has played a key role in building the systems and processes that support New Zealand’s largest PLB hire network.
We spoke with hikers, farmers, 4WD drivers, and outdoor adventurers, many of whom had never heard of hiring a beacon before. Some visitors came for the cars but left our tent thinking differently about safety. That’s a win in our book.
Wheels and Beacons: Power and Purpose
Wheels at Wanaka might be all about motion, but behind the noise and horsepower is a deep sense of community. That’s why being part of it meant so much. The event showcased not just vehicles, but innovation, dedication, and the spirit of helping others—something we share at Southland Locator Beacons.
Big thanks to the organisers for putting on an incredible event and for letting small-but-mighty charities like ours be part of it. To everyone who stopped by our tent—thanks for listening. We hope you never need a PLB, but if you do, we’ll be here. https://www.locatorbeacons.co.nz/
