How long is the South Face Road to Mount Baw Baw Resort?
Australia, oceania
30.3 km
1,478 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: South Face Road, your rugged route to Mount Baw Baw Alpine Resort in Victoria, Australia! We're talking about a climb that tops out at a cool 1,478 meters (4,849 feet).
This isn't just a Sunday drive, folks. You'll find yourself cruising for 30.3 kilometers (18.82 miles) after leaving Thomson Valley Road, north of Rawson.
Now, here's the kicker: forget the pavement! This beauty is all about that unsealed life. Expect a gorgeous trek through the National Park before winding your way up those narrow mountain roads.
Worried about hairpin turns? Relax! South Face Road is actually pretty tame compared to the Mount Baw Baw Tourist Road. So, if you get carsick easily, this might be your best bet, especially when the weather turns nasty. The gradient's steady and the turns are gentle.
But don't get too comfy – this road gets seriously steep in sections, boasting gradients up to 17%! It's known as one of the toughest climbs in Australia for road cyclists.
Heads up: fuel up *before* you head up! There are no gas stations on the mountain. And ditch that GPS – it might lead you astray. Keep an eye out for logging trucks year-round, and take it slow around corners.
Winter warriors, listen up: conditions can change on a dime in the Alps. If you're driving in snow season, carry chains. And Erica is your last chance to grab those chains, so plan accordingly! And throw some antifreeze in your diesel, dress warmly, and pack sunscreen.
Road Details
- Country
- Australia
- Continent
- oceania
- Length
- 30.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,478 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in oceania
moderateHow long is Desert Road NZ?
🇳🇿 New Zealand
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!
extremeThe defiant Otaki Gorge Road in New Zealand is closed after a big slip
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Get ready for a seriously scenic – but challenging – adventure on the Otaki Gorge Road, nestled in the Kapiti Coast District of New Zealand's North Island. This isn't just a Sunday drive; it's an experience! Starting from State Highway 1, this 17.9km (11.12 miles) dead-end road hugs the Otaki River, winding its way from the town of Hautere towards the majestic Tararua Ranges. The first 13km are smooth sailing on paved road. But hold on tight, because the last 5km are where things get interesting! The road turns into a narrow, winding gravel track, with heart-stopping drops down to the steely river on one side and towering cliffs, often shrouded in misty veils, on the other. Pro tip: remember that stopping on gravel takes way longer than on sealed roads! This road isn't for the faint of heart, especially after rain. Slips are common, so check conditions beforehand and take it super slow. Daylight is your friend here – night driving is a definite no-no. And some sections are seriously steep, so keep that speed under 20 km/h. As of April 2024, the road is closed to both vehicles and pedestrians due to a slip at Blue Bluff. Camping is available at Boielle's Campsite but you can only get there on foot. Because the road is closed, it's not being maintained and will stay closed until further notice. If you need to get to Ōtaki Forks, there's a 5km emergency track you can walk which starts 200m past the locked gate on Ōtaki Gorge Road. One of the absolute highlights is the Waihoanga Road Bridge, a swing bridge offering breathtaking views of the Otaki River and the surrounding gorge. Trust me, you'll want to have your camera ready; the photo ops are incredible! Fun fact: Otaki Gorge was even used to represent the Shire woods in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings movies.
hardHow To Travel The Great Central Road of Australia
🇦🇺 Australia
Ready for the ultimate Aussie adventure? The Great Central Road carves right through the heart of Australia, connecting the Northern Territory and Western Australia in an unforgettable drive. Think of it as a highlight reel from the 2,800 km Outback Way, with the Great Central Road section clocking in at a cool 1,107 km (688 miles). This legendary road stretches from Laverton in Western Australia's Goldfields-Esperance region all the way to the Lasseter Highway near Yulara in the Northern Territory. Along the way, get ready for a landscape that seriously delivers. We're talking sacred Aboriginal lands, wide-open spaces that stretch to the horizon, and dramatic mountain ranges that'll have you reaching for your camera. Now, let's be real – this isn't your average Sunday drive. While the road is regularly maintained, you will likely encounter corrugations, bulldust, potholes lurking in disguise, rocky bits, and soft, sandy riverbeds. Road conditions are always changing, and heavy rains can make sections impassable. Aim for April to October for cooler temps and lower chances of rain-induced closures. About 10,000 vehicles make this trek each year, proving that the adventure is worth it. Just remember, you're heading into remote desert scrub country. Facilities are few and far between, so communications equipment is a must. A 4WD is highly recommended, but a sturdy 2WD can also handle it. Caravans? Only if they're built for serious off-road conditions.
moderateBuntine Highway is an awe-inspiring route through remote areas of Australia
🇦🇺 Australia
Buntine Highway is a very scenic drive located in the western part of Australia's Northern Territory. It runs through remote areas of the country. The road is 570km (354 miles) long, running from Victoria Highway (on Delamere) to the Western Australian border. The road winds its way south and west past cattle stations and Indigenous communities. It runs roughly parallel to Victoria Highway and offers an alternate route into Western Australia. The road was named after Noel Buntine, a road train pioneer, and drover, in 1996. The road is mostly paved. 336km of the road is sealed, and 222km predominantly paved. A 4x4 vehicle is recommended. There are a lot of blind corners, and 20% of the road is very dangerous and narrow for road trains to get around each other.Pic&more info: https://nancybates.weebly.com/off-with-isabel/yep-that-qualifies-as-a-panther-in-the-australian-bush Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our interactive map to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.