Coast and Country Scenic Drives

Not everyone wants a busy market or a long wander. For many older people, the perfect outing is simple - a comfortable seat, good company and the world rolling gently past the window.

That is where coast and country scenic drives come into their own. They suit tired joints, sore backs and wobbly balance, while still giving people a real sense of “getting out into the world”.

(Opinion - a good scenic drive is basically a moving armchair with a better view.)

Why scenic drives are such a good fit

Scenic drives work particularly well for people who -

• Find walking difficult or painful

• Tire easily but still want to get out

• Feel anxious in crowds or noisy places

• Used to love driving but have now given up their licence

On these outings, the main “activity” is simply being there -

• Watching farmland, hills and coastline go by

• Spotting animals, boats, trains and landmarks

• Listening to light chat and occasional commentary

There is no pressure to walk far, queue for anything or keep up with others. People can enjoy the day at their own pace, from their own seat.

Landscapes that soothe the nervous system

Country roads and coastal routes have a particular kind of calm built into them -

• Open paddocks and big skies

• Rolling hills and tree-lined lanes

• Rivers, lakes and the shimmer of the sea

These views are not just “nice to look at”. They genuinely help settle the nervous system. Breathing often slows, shoulders relax and people who arrived tense can be seen leaning back, letting the scenery do its work.

Coastal drives add another layer – long horizons, changing light on the water, waves breaking in a steady rhythm. For many older people, that combination feels deeply familiar and safe.

(Opinion - you can almost hear people’s blood pressure dropping with each kilometre of good scenery.)

Ideal for those with limited mobility or pain

For some older people, even short walks are tricky -

• Arthritis makes every step a negotiation

• Heart or lung conditions limit how far they can go

• Neurological issues make uneven ground risky

The beauty of a scenic drive is that most of the experience happens while seated. Movement is limited to -

• Getting to and from the vehicle

• A few careful steps at lookouts, cafés or toilets

• Optional short strolls for those who feel up to it

SteadyGo’s accessible vehicles, hoists and trained drivers mean -

• Wheelchair users can stay comfortably in their chair

• People with walkers or sticks have support with transfers

• No one is pushed to do more than feels safe

That makes scenic drives one of the most inclusive outing types on the list.

Nostalgia and memory on familiar roads

Coast and country routes are often packed with personal history -

• Old school bus routes

• Roads to bach holidays or family farms

• Towns where people once worked, shopped or raised kids

As the vehicle passes through these places, memories tend to surface -

• “Your uncle used to shear over in that woolshed.”

• “We broke down on this hill once in the Morris Minor.”

• “That used to be a tiny village – look at it now.”

These stories are priceless. They help older people reconnect with parts of their life that might feel far away when they are mostly housebound.

Drivers and hosts can gently invite these memories without putting anyone on the spot. A simple, “Has anyone got connections out this way?” is often enough to get people chatting.

Company without the pressure

Some people love a lively café. Others find it overwhelming. Scenic drives offer social contact without the noise and hustle.

On a SteadyGo scenic drive -

• The group is small enough for faces to become familiar

• Conversation can be light, with plenty of comfortable silence

• People can sit with friends or on their own seat, as they prefer

There is no expectation to be “on form”. It is fine to -

• Watch quietly out the window

• Join in when you feel like it

• Doze for a bit, then wake up to a new view

(Opinion - it is one of the few social settings where napping is completely acceptable.)

Stops that work for older bodies

A good scenic drive is not just endless kilometres. It includes thoughtful breaks -

• Lookouts where people can enjoy the view without a long walk

• Cafés or tea rooms with level access and decent toilets

• Short leg-stretch stops in safe, quiet spots

SteadyGo plans these stops around -

• Walking distances suited to older legs

• Seating availability

• Shade, shelter and weather

• Timing for medications, meals and energy levels

Those who are tired or less mobile can stay on the vehicle at a stop, with windows opened and the view front and centre.

Safety and comfort on the road

Families often worry about long drives for older relatives – and with reason. Standard vehicles are not always easy to get into and not every driver understands older bodies.

On SteadyGo scenic trips -

• Vehicles are chosen for easy access, good visibility and comfort

• Drivers are trained in smooth driving, careful cornering and gentle braking

• Seatbelts, hoists and rails are used properly and checked

• There is time to get in and out safely, without rush

Temperature, airflow and noise are monitored. If someone is feeling cold, carsick or uncomfortable, staff can adjust things quickly.

This practical care lets older passengers focus on the view, not on bracing themselves for every bump.

Peace of mind for carers and facilities

For family, whānau and retirement village staff, scenic drives tick a lot of boxes -

• Low physical demand but high emotional reward

• Clear start and finish times for planning around routines

• Easy to explain – “They’re out for a country drive today”

• Safe, structured environment with experienced staff

Carers can use the time to -

• Rest, work or run errands

• Enjoy knowing their person is seeing more than the same four walls

• Look forward to hearing about “where we went” when they get back

Facilities can weave scenic drives into their lifestyle programmes as reliable, popular outings that suit a wide range of residents.

How SteadyGo designs coast and country days

When SteadyGo plans a scenic drive, we pay attention to -

• Route choice – views, points of interest, road quality

• Timing – avoiding peak traffic, planning for daylight and weather

• Stops – safe parking, level access, toilets, seating

• Group mix – matching people who enjoy similar pace and style of outing

Most importantly, we keep the day gentle. There is time to get on and off, to look properly, to take photos if people want and to simply sit and enjoy the ride.

A simple drive, a better week

It is easy to underestimate what a scenic drive can do.

For many older people, that one day out -

• Breaks up a long, quiet week

• Gives them something to anticipate and then remember

• Eases restlessness and “cabin fever”

• Leaves them pleasantly tired instead of worn out

For families and carers, it is a small, practical way to offer joy and variety without needing to be the driver, organiser, entertainer and safety officer all at once.

Coast and country scenic drives do not shout. They do not need to. Trip by trip, they keep older people connected to the wider world – hills, paddocks, coastline and all – while SteadyGo takes care of the driving, the details and the quiet kindness that makes it work.