Driving the Taumatamaire Road is not a piece of cake
New Zealand, oceania
23.6 km
402 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, Kiwis and adventure-seekers, listen up! Ever heard of Taumatamaire Road? It's a wild ride in the western North Island of New Zealand that'll get your heart pumping.
This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks. We're talking a completely unsealed, narrow track with some seriously steep sections – think a grunty 12% gradient in places! You'll climb all the way up to a repeater station, perched at a cool 402m (1,318ft) above sea level. Trust me, the views are worth it, but save this one for daylight hours. Night driving? No way, mate.
The road stretches for 23.6 km (14.66 miles), winding its way from Awakino, right where the Awakino River meets the sea, to State Highway 3 south of Mahoenui. Before you go, get the latest local intel – conditions can change quickly!
Where is it?
Driving the Taumatamaire Road is not a piece of cake is located in New Zealand (oceania). Coordinates: -41.4715, 176.5214
Road Details
- Country
- New Zealand
- Continent
- oceania
- Length
- 23.6 km
- Max Elevation
- 402 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -41.4715, 176.5214
Related Roads in oceania
moderateCrown Range Road
🇳🇿 New Zealand
# Crown Range Road: NZ's Ultimate Alpine Drive If you're looking for the most spectacular way to connect Queenstown and Wanaka, skip the boring highway via Cromwell and take the Crown Range Road instead. This 67-kilometer beauty is New Zealand's highest sealed road, climbing to a seriously impressive 1,076 meters as it cuts straight across the Crown Range in Central Otago. The adventure starts intense—you'll climb steeply out of the Kawarau Gorge through a series of nail-biting switchbacks that'll have you gripping the steering wheel. But honestly? The views make it totally worth it. You get these incredible panoramas sweeping back over the Wakatipu Basin and the dramatic Remarkables mountains. At the summit, there's a quick walk to a lookout that'll blow your mind with 360-degree views of Lake Wakatipu, Lake Wanaka, and all the peaks surrounding you. Coming down the other side, you'll pass the charming Cardrona Hotel (a proper 1863 gem) and the Cardrona ski field—great spots to stop and soak up the scenery. Fair warning though: if you're driving this in winter, things get serious. The summit can get snowbound, and you might need to carry chains. It adds an extra thrill to the crossing, but definitely check conditions before heading up.
moderateIs Mount Baw Baw Tourist Road sealed?
🇦🇺 Australia
Cruising up to Mount Baw Baw Alpine Resort in Victoria, Australia? You've gotta take the Mount Baw Baw Tourist Road (aka C426)! This fully paved beauty stretches for 51.2 km (31.81 miles) from Piedmont, taking you on a wild ride up to 1,478m (4,849ft). Forget the other access road, this one's way more fun with its twists and turns – perfect for any 2WD vehicle. You'll wind through the National Park, soaking in all the views, and even pass through the charming town of Noojee for a quick bite. Now, cyclists, listen up! This climb is no joke. Some say it's one of the toughest in the country, even comparing it to Tour de France climbs! The first half is manageable, but the last 6km from the gatehouse? That's where the real challenge begins, with gradients hitting over 20%! Heads up: you're high in the Great Dividing Range, so the weather can change in a heartbeat. Pack warm clothes and sunscreen, and fill up your gas tank before you head up. During the snow season, snow chains are mandatory, no matter the conditions. You can grab them in Neerim South.
easyHow long is the Victoria Highway?
🇦🇺 Australia
Okay, picture this: You're cruising along the Victoria Highway, smack-dab in the heart of Western Australia and the Northern Territory. This isn't just any drive; it's a 557 km (346 miles) east-to-west adventure! You'll kick things off near Katherine in the Northern Territory, a cool 320 kilometers southeast of Darwin. From there, you'll wind your way towards the Kimberley in Western Australia, eventually meeting up with the Great Northern Highway between Timber Creek and Kununurra. The road's fully paved, so no need to worry about bumpy dirt tracks. Just keep in mind that this part of the world has a serious wet season (November to April). The Victoria River near Timber Creek can flood, so the road might be closed for days or even weeks if the water gets too high! But hey, a little adventure never hurt anyone, right? Just be sure to check the conditions before you go.
hardWhere is Takaka Hill?
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Cruising through the Nelson Tasman region on New Zealand's South Island? Then you absolutely *must* experience Takaka Hill, also known as Pikikirunga Range! This beauty separates Golden Bay from Tasman Bay, making it feel like Golden Bay is a world away. The road, officially Tākaka Hill Saddle, is fully paved and known as State Highway 60 (aka Takaka Hill Highway). Clocking in at 51.5 km (32 miles) long, the road winds from Tākaka, a charming town at the edge of Golden Bay, all the way to Motueka on Tasman Bay. This road's been around since 1888! The pass is open 24/7, but be prepared for a fun ride! We're talking 257 corners, some hairpin turns, and gradients hitting a maximum of 13%. This road isn't scary, but it will keep you on your toes, so make sure you take motion sickness pills if you're prone. The road is wide and well-maintained, though, with plenty of places to pull over. Budget about an hour for the drive, but let's be real, you'll want to stop. The views are unreal! From the top (elevation 823m or 2,700ft), you can see panoramic views of Tasman Bay, Golden Bay, and the mountains of Kahurangi National Park. The marble karst rock formations are also a sight to behold!