Desert Road is a rather remote drive of NZ
New Zealand, oceania
63 km
1,078 m
moderate
Year-round
Cruising through New Zealand's North Island? You HAVE to experience the Desert Road! This iconic stretch of State Highway 1 carves right through Rangipo's Desert.
It's a smooth, paved ride, all 63 km (39 miles) of it, slicing across this unique alpine desert landscape.
Think of it as a connecting line between the charming towns of Turangi (near the North Island Volcanic Plateau) and Waiouru, further south.
The name? It's all about the raw, untamed location. Rangipo Desert (Te Onetapu) is a wild, almost otherworldly environment. The weather can be pretty intense, making the drive an adventure in itself!
Built back in the 40s to boost tourism, this road is seriously remote. The landscape is barren and mostly uninhabited, so be prepared! The weather can flip in an instant, and the wind is relentless. It whips across the desert, blasting everything with icy gusts, especially in winter.
The road peaks at a cool 1,078m (3,536ft) – supposedly the highest point on New Zealand's highway network! Expect closures in winter due to snow and ice. Those mountain winds? They’re brutal, like a frozen knife!
Without stops, the drive takes about an hour to an hour and ten minutes, but trust me, you'll want to stop! This is an unforgettable road trip. Think mind-blowing scenery, epic landscapes, and incredible views of the Tongariro National Park's volcanoes. Oh, and did I mention? The Black Gate of Mordor from Lord of the Rings was filmed here!
Where is it?
Desert Road is a rather remote drive of NZ is located in New Zealand (oceania). Coordinates: -41.3609, 174.6929
Road Details
- Country
- New Zealand
- Continent
- oceania
- Length
- 63 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,078 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- -41.3609, 174.6929
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