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.
The road is a true NZ Classic. It’s totally unpaved and runs from Ruapuke Beach Road towards Wainui Road. Set in the most stunning green scenery, the road is 18.3 km (11.37 miles) long and hugs the spectacular coastline between Raglan and Aotea harbours. It is a well graded, 2WD suitable, gravel road.
The road runs near the coast along the Western coast of this most scenic landscape and provides postcard scenery. As well as driving the coast road you may want to visit the forest as part of your trip. The road gives access to three iconic locations, Maunu Bay, Whale Bay, and Ruapuke beach. It was first considered for a road in 1886 and was bulldozed in 1953 though metalling was not done for 2 years.
The spectacular and scenic winding gravel coast road is usually the penultimate stage of the Rally of New Zealand. Any road that is used in rally driving is going to make for a great driving challenge. Sheer cliff faces provide an adrenaline fuelled drive along a notoriously tricky stage.