Roads of New Zealand
Plan the perfect driving adventure with this helpful guide! Learn more about the things to consider before driving the most spectacular roads of New Zealand.
Skippers Canyon Road: narrow and only for experienced drivers
Tucked away on the south-west of New Zealand's South Island, Skippers Canyon Road is today one of New Zealand's better known scenic roads and unbelievably scary as it’s totally narrow and difficult to maneuver your car. It’s a road so dangerous that your rental car insurance won’t be honored if you drive on it.
Forgotten World Highway in NZ is a world's top drive
Forgotten World Highway is one of the most scenic drives in New Zealand. This highly memorable driving journey is remote and mysterious to the extreme. It’s one of the most scenic drives in the world.
The sensational Remarkables Road in NZ
The Remarkables is a ski resort at an elevation of 1.622m (5,321ft) above the sea level, located in Otago in the South Island of New Zealand. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.
The scenic Crown Range Road in NZ is often covered in snow
Crown Range Road is the name of a memorable journey in the Otago region of the South Island of New Zealand. It’s an exhilarating road with hairpin bends, serpentines and steep grades.
Takaka Hill is an unforgettable drive in NZ
Takaka Hill is a mountain pass at an elevation of 791m (2,595ft) above the sea level, located at the south eastern end of Golden Bay in the Nelson Tasman region, at the northern end of New Zealand's South Island.
Road trip guide: Conquering Lindis Pass in NZ
Lindis Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 966m (3,169ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Canterbury and Otago regions on New Zealand’s South Island. The actual pass crosses a saddle between the valleys of the Lindis and Ahuriri Rivers.
Driving the wild Danseys Pass in NZ
Danseys Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 910m (2,985ft) above the sea level located on the boundary of Canterbury and Otago regions, on New Zealand's South Island.
A legendary road to Arthur's Pass in NZ
Arthur's Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 739m (2,425ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary between the West Coast and Canterbury regions, in the South Island of New Zealand.
Milford Road is a truly epic road in New Zealand
Milford Road is the name of an awesome scenic drive in South West New Zealand that offers a dramatic and beautiful journey from Te Anau to Milford Sound.
Road trip guide: Conquering State Highway 38 in NZ
State Highway 38 is a very scenic drive, a true wilderness experience, in the heart of the North Island of New Zealand.
Highest roads of New Zealand
Lying in the south-western Pacific Ocean, most of the landscape of New Zealand is mountainous. The country consists of two main islands a number of smaller islands. New Zealand's geography includes glaciers, fiords, mountains, plains, subtropical forest, volcanic plateau, and miles of coastline, all within easy reach of each other.
Port Jackson Road is a terrifying coastal drive in NZ
Located at the northern tip of the Coromandel Peninsula in the North Island of New Zealand, Port Jackson Road is a very rugged road with stunning views. It's one of the most scenic drives in the world.
Nevis Road is not at all suitable for 2WD vehicles
Nevis Road is an absolute classic drive located in Central Otago, New Zealand. The road over the pass has steep sections and crosses several fords.
Queen Charlotte Drive is a scenic coastal road in NZ
Located in the Marlborough Region of New Zealand's South Island, Queen Charlotte Drive is a spectacular winding road that links the towns of Havelock and Picton. It's one of the most scenic coastal drives in the world.
Desert Road is a rather remote drive of NZ
Located in New Zealand's North Island, the Desert Road is a section of State Highway 1 running along Rangipo's Desert.
Old Dunstan Road: Ultimate 4wd destination in NZ
Old Dunstan Road is a 4x4 track located in the Otago Region in the South Island of New Zealand.
Take the Scenic Road and Discover French Pass in NZ
French Pass is a quiet fishing and tourist village at the north end of the South Island of New Zealand. The road to the small and timeless seaport is said to be one of the most scenic drives in the country.
Top 10 Most Dangerous Roads in New Zealand
New Zealand is an amazing country with vibrant cities, rugged countryside, and amazing places to visit and things to do. It is purpose-built for road trips but be warned, some of the most dangerous roads in the world are here. Take a look.
A steep single-lane dirt road to Mount Hutt in NZ
Mt Hutt Ski Area is a ski resort at an elevation of 1.597m (5,239ft) above the sea level located to the west of the Canterbury Plains in the South Island of New Zealand. The road to the resort can be pretty daunting.
Haast Pass is a beautiful alpine scenic road in NZ
Haast Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 569m (1,866ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of the West Coast and the Otago regions of the South Island of New Zealand. It’s said to be one of the most beautiful alpine scenic routes in the country.
Take the Scenic Bruce Road and Discover Whakapapa ski field
Whakapapa is a ski resort at an elevation of 1.624m (5,328ft) above the sea level, located in Manawatū-Whanganui, a region in the lower half of the North Island of New Zealand. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.
Paekakariki Hill Road in NZ is one of the most beautiful coastal drives
Paekakariki Hill Road is the name of a very scenic drive, located in the south-western North Island of New Zealand. Built in 1849, it's one of the most beautiful coastal drives in the world.
Driving the coastal Mount Cook Road is an absolute must
Located in central South Island of New Zealand, Mount Cook Road is the name of a very scenic drive along the turquoise coloured Lake Pukaki. It's one of the best coastal drives in the world.
Driving the Alpine Ohakune Mountain Road in NZ
Ohakune Mountain Road is a sealed road located on the southern end of the Taupo Volcanic Zone in New Zealand, within Tongariro National Park. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.
A drive up the legendary Te Mata Peak
Te Mata Peak is a mountain peak at an elevation of 389m (1,276ft) above the sea level, located in the Hawke's Bay region of New Zealand. The drive is a real thrill and the views from the top are amazing.
Driving the scenic Tasman Valley Road in NZ
Tasman Valley Road is the name of a very scenic windy but fairly paved drive located on New Zealand's South Island.
Summit Road is a narrow scenic drive in New Zealand
Summit Road is the name of a very scenic drive located in Canterbury, on New Zealand’s South Island.
A steep unsealed road to Treble Cone in NZ
Treble Cone is a ski resort at an elevation of 1.260m (4,133ft) above the sea level, located in Otago, a southeastern region on New Zealand's South Island.
The narrow Haast River Bridge of NZ
Haast River Bridge is one lane bridge over the Haast River on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.
Cape Palliser Road is one of NZ's best coastal drives
Located on the southern coast of New Zealand's North Island, Cape Palliser Road is dramatically scenic and one of the best coastal drives in the world. It’s remote, quiet, charming and unpredictable.
Baldwin Street in NZ is said to be the world's steepest residential street
Baldwin Street is located in Dunedin, New Zealand. It’s considered the world's steepest residential street. The angle is 35 per cent - but the steepest section is made from concrete because asphalt would run down the hill on a hot day.
Acheron Road is an unforgettable journey in NZ
Located in the beautiful Marlborough high country on the South Island of New Zealand, Acheron Road is a very exciting drive that runs between Blenheim and Hanmer Springs. It can be closed due to weather or fire danger at any time.
Glenorchy-Queenstown Road is a great drive with spectacular views
Located in central South Island of New Zealand, the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road is a very scenic drive winding alongside the shimmering blue Lake Wakatipu, a deep glacial lake surrounded by soaring mountains, famous for its scenic beauty. It's one of the most scenic coastal drives in the world.
Travel guide to the top of Porters Pass
Porters Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 948m (3,110ft) above the sea level, located in the Canterbury region of New Zealand's South Island.
The spectacular Skippers bridge in NZ
Located on the south-west of New Zealand's South Island, the Skippers suspension bridge over the Shotover River near Queenstown in Central Otago is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.
The unpaved access road to Mount Dobson in NZ
Mount Dobson is a ski resort at an elevation of 1.748m (5,734 ft) above the sea level located in the Mackenzie region in the South Island of New Zealand. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.
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