What are the most spectacular roads in New Zealand?
Nestled in the vast expanse of the southwestern Pacific Ocean, New Zealand is a land of enchanting contrasts and surreal beauty. A paradise for road trippers, the nation offers some of the most spellbinding drives in the world.
Imagine challenging the twists and turns of Skippers Canyon Road, a daunting yet historic scenic drive etched into the cliffs, promising both adrenaline and awe-inspiring panoramas. Venture along the Forgotten World Highway, a road that, true to its name, takes you on a journey to a time and place almost untouched by modernity, offering vistas that seem sketched from fantasy tales.
The Remarkables Road, as its name suggests, is truly a remarkable drive with a backdrop of imposing mountain ranges that leave an indelible impression. Traverse the Crown Range Road, a majestic alpine route where shimmering snow often drapes the landscape, turning it into a winter wonderland. Every twist, every turn, every ascent in this land seems to narrate tales of the Maori legends, the undulating valleys, and the echoing calls of the Kiwi bird.
As you navigate these roads, you're not just traversing tar and gravel; you're journeying through the very soul of Aotearoa, the 'Land of the Long White Cloud'. Strap in, and let the captivating roads of New Zealand guide your senses through spectacles both wild and wondrous.
Driving the unsealed Mount Cheeseman Access Road
Access Road to Mount Cheeseman is an unsealed road located in New Zealand's South Island. The access road is suitable for 2WD vehicles with chains. The road climbs up to 1.550m (5,085ft) above the sea level. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.
Takarau Gorge Road, a dangerously narrow scenic drive
Takarau Gorge Road is a very scenic drive located in northern Wellington, New Zealand. Sections of this road are often closed due to flooding.
Road trip guide: Conquering the Whatipu Beach
Whatipu Beach is the name of a remote black sandy beach located on the wild west coast of the Auckland region of the North Island of New Zealand.
If you love to drive, you'll love the Haast Highway
Haast Highway is a spectacular and scenic drive located on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It's one of the most scenic coastal drives in the world.
Travelling The Zigzag, a dangerous road in NZ
Located within the Arthurs Pass National Park, the major national park in the center of the South Island New Zealand, the old Arthurs Pass road is known as The Zigzag. It was built across a huge scree slope and was subject to erosion due to earthquakes and flooding. In the last century the road was cut further and further back into the hillside, until it was 20 metres higher and 65 metres further back into the slope than it had been seventy years earlier.
Crossing the defiant Bertrand Road Swing Bridge
Located in Taranaki, New Zealand, the Bertrand Road Swing Bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world. It’s 67 m long.
A journey on the legendary Tasman Valley Road 4X4 Tack
Tasman Valley Road 4X4 track is a very scenic yet challenging drive located on New Zealand's South Island.
Old Woman Range
Old Woman Range is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.739m (5,705ft) above the sea level, located in the Otago region of New Zealand. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.
The Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Karamea Highway
Karamea Highway is a very scenic drive at the most northern end of the South Island's West Coast of New Zealand. In some ways, this road is special because it's a "road to nowhere", ending spectacularly as the southern access point to the Heaphy Track.
The road through the Waipu Gorge is not for the sissies
Waipu Gorge Road is a winding but fairly smooth metalled road located in the Northland Region of New Zealand.
Driving through Pembroke Road in NZ
Pembroke Road is a very scenic drive in the Taranaki region, on the western coast of New Zealand's North Island. The road is pretty steep, with an average gradient of 5.75%.
The Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Lake Ohau Road
Lake Ohau Road is a very scenic drive located in the Ohau Range in the Mackenzie High Country, not far from the Mt Cook region on the South Island of New Zealand. The road features gravel and asphalt sections.
Waikawau Tunnel Beach, cut with picks and shovels
Located on the West Coast of the North Island of New Zealand, the narrow Waikawau Tunnel Beach is used by people for accessing the beach.
Duffers Saddle is a challenging 4wd road in NZ
Duffers Saddle is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.275m (4,183ft) above the sea level, located in the Old Woman Range, in Central Otago, New Zealand.
Top coastal road trips in the South Island of New Zealand
The South Island, also known as Te Waipounamu, offers some of the New Zealand’s most beautiful coastal drives. The island hosts the purest natural landscapes you’ll ever experience. There are lots of places to stop, little hidden bays and places to take in the scenery. From wildlife to wineries, from glacial valleys to star-filled skies, nature's best flourishes against a palette of dramatic scenes.
Aramoana Road is one of the most beautiful coastal drives in the world
Aramoana Road is a very scenic coastal drive located on the South Island of New Zealand. It's one of the most beautiful coastal drives in the world.
Crossing the Ohau River bridge
Located in the Manawatu-Wanganui region of New Zealand's North Island, the wooden bridge over the Ohau River is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.
A scenic drive through the Pomarangai Road
Pomarangai Road is a very scenic drive running through the Whareorino Forest, in the western King Country of New Zealand.
Kiwi Road, a narrow drive in Taranaki's most isolated countryside
Kiwi Road is a scenic narrow and rough track located in northern Taranaki, in the North Island of New Zealand.
Obelisk/Kopuwai
Obelisk/Kopuwai is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.687m (5,534ft) above the sea level, located on the Old Man Range, in the Otago region of New Zealand. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.
A Most Tricky Scenic Drive to Remutaka Pass in NZ
Remutaka Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 556m (1,824ft) above the sea level, located in in the Wellington Region of New Zealand's North Island. The road is well known to NZ motorcyclists
Waihoanga Road Bridge
The Waihoanga Road Bridge is located in the Manuwatu Region, in the southwestern North Island of New Zealand. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.
How To Travel The Road To Cardrona Alpine Resort
Cardrona Alpine Resort is a ski resort at an elevation of 1.660m (5,446ft) above the sea level, located in the heart of the South Island of New Zealand. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.
Driving the unsealed Lake Road in NZ
Lake Road is an amazing unsealed road located in the North Island of New Zealand. The road leads to the Lake Waikaremoana, in the heart of Tuhoe country.
Driving the scenic Harington Point Road
Harington Point Road is a coastal drive located at the northeastern end of Otago Peninsula, in New Zealand's South Island.
A scenic coastal road to Tapotupotu Beach
Tapotupotu Beach is an unspoilt beach located the Aupouri Peninsula, at the northern end of the North Island of New Zealand.
Whaanga Coast Road, an iconic rally challenge in NZ
Located in the Waikato region of New Zealand’s North Island, Whaanga Coast Road is a rugged, rocky, gravel road that has become a legend.
Sawcut Gorge
Located in the north east of the South Island of New Zealand, the Sawcut Gorge is a lovely place to be on a hot day, with excellent swimming holes and towering rock faces.
Henderson Bay Road
Henderson Bay Road is a short metal road connecting Henderson Bay to the State Highway 1. This very quiet little road is 6km long and is located north of Kaitaia, the northern most city in New Zealand.
Nugget Point Lighthouse
Nugget Point Lighthouse is a lighthouse at Nugget Point in the Otago region of the South Island of New Zealand. The road is 8.9km long.
Omarama Clay Cliffs
The Omarama Clay Cliffs are silt and gravel pinnacle formations near the southern end of the Mackenzie Basin, in the South Island of New Zealand. The road is bumpy, drive slowly and avoid holes!
The unpaved winding road to Cardrona Alpine Resort
Located in the Otago region of the South Island of New Zealand, at an elevation of 1.648m (5,406ft) above the sea level, Cardrona Alpine Resort is one of most popular ski resorts of the country.
Driving through the Homer Tunnel in NZ
Homer Tunnel is a high mountain tunnel at an elevation of 945m (3,100ft) above the sea level located in the Fiordland region of the South Island of New Zealand.
Dobson Peak
Dobson Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.019m (6,624ft) above the sea level, located in the South Island of New Zealand. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.
Ultimate 4wd destination: Tukino Skifield in NZ
Tukino Skifield is a ski resort at an elevation of 1.705m (5,593ft) above the sea level, located in the Waikato Region in the central area of the North Island, New Zealand. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.
Mimiwhangata Road
Located south of Helena Bay on the east coast of Northland, New Zealand, the Mimiwhangata Road is a narrow and winding adventure. It still remains an adrenaline-pumping journey and is definitely not for the faint of lungs, heart, or legs.