How long is Desert Road NZ?

Okay, picture this: you're cruising through New Zealand's North Island on State Highway 1, and suddenly you're smack-dab in the middle of the Rangipo Desert on the legendary Desert Road.

This fully paved stretch of highway is a straight shot for 63 km (39 miles), slicing right through this alpine desert. You'll be traveling from the cute town of Turangi, nestled on the North Island Volcanic Plateau, all the way to Waiouru in the Ruapehu District.

It's called the Desert Road for a reason. It's seriously remote! This area is a barren, desert-like environment where the weather can turn on a dime. They built this road in the 1940s to draw tourists in and it's a very unique environment.

The scenery is something else! But be warned: the land is so unproductive it's basically uninhabited. So yeah, remote! The wind is a constant companion here, blasting the plants and making things seriously chilly, especially in winter.

You'll climb to 1,078m (3,536ft), the highest point on the whole New Zealand state highway network! Heads up, this road closes for short periods during winter due to snow and ice. The winds are crazy strong and cold.

You could technically drive it in about an hour without stopping. But seriously, why would you? This is an unforgettable road trip through an epic landscape, with incredible views of the Tongariro National Park volcanoes. Plus, they filmed the Black Gate of Mordor from Lord of the Rings here! Worth it? Absolutely!