A drive up the legendary Te Mata Peak on the North Island of New Zealand
New Zealand, oceania
5.7 km
389 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! I just discovered the most epic drive in New Zealand's Hawke's Bay region. We're talking Te Mata Peak, a mountain boasting a summit that sits a cool 389 meters above sea level.
The road to the top, appropriately named Te Mata Peak Road, winds its way up the Te Mata Hills. It's paved, which is a plus, but hold on tight – it's narrow, steep, and even one-way in sections, so keep your eyes peeled. Heads up that the very top bit, past Peak House, is closed to cars at night.
Starting from Havelock North, this 5.7 km climb is intense! You’ll gain 343 meters in elevation, meaning you're dealing with an average gradient of 6% and spots hitting a wild 18%. Expect some hairpin turns that'll test your driving skills.
Located within Te Mata Park, this drive should take you 15-25 minutes without stops, but trust me, you WILL want to stop. The views are insane! As the highest peak around, Te Mata Peak offers breathtaking 360° panoramas. You'll be able to spot Napier, Mahia Peninsula, the Ruahine, Kaweka, and Maungaharuru ranges, and even Mount Ruapehu on a clear day. Get your camera ready!
Where is it?
A drive up the legendary Te Mata Peak on the North Island of New Zealand is located in New Zealand (oceania). Coordinates: -40.6075, 173.6971
Road Details
- Country
- New Zealand
- Continent
- oceania
- Length
- 5.7 km
- Max Elevation
- 389 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -40.6075, 173.6971
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