How To Travel The Road To Cardrona Alpine Resort
New Zealand, oceania
12.3 km
1,660 m
hard
Year-round
Alright, thrill-seekers, buckle up for the Cardrona Skifield Road, your gateway to alpine bliss in New Zealand's South Island! Nestled in the Otago region, this unpaved beauty winds its way up to the Cardrona Alpine Resort, clocking in at a cool 1,660m (5,446ft) above sea level.
While it's generally wide enough, be prepared for some serious corrugations and potentially slippery conditions – it keeps things interesting! You'll find some safety barriers mid-way, and guardrails near the top. This rugged road was carved out back in 1980 and is still bringing the goods.
Most vehicles can tackle it, even your trusty 2WD. However, if you've got 4WD or AWD, now's the time to use it. And listen up, winter warriors: chains are an absolute must-have!
From the paved Cardrona Valley Road, get ready for a leg-burning 12.3km (7.64 miles) climb, gaining a whopping 1,148 meters in elevation. That's an average gradient of 9.33%, with some ramps hitting a max of 14%! Once you reach the resort, a chairlift service road climbs even higher to 1,876m (6,154ft). Get ready for some views!
Where is it?
How To Travel The Road To Cardrona Alpine Resort is located in New Zealand (oceania). Coordinates: -44.8571, 168.9450
Road Details
- Country
- New Zealand
- Continent
- oceania
- Length
- 12.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,660 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -44.8571, 168.9450
Related Roads in oceania
extremeWhy is it called the Mitchell Freeway?
🇦🇺 Australia
Okay, road trip lovers, listen up! The Mitchell Highway in Australia is calling your name! This epic stretch of road connects Queensland and New South Wales, clocking in at a whopping 1,105 km (687 mi). It's named after some explorer guy, Sir Thomas Mitchell, so you know it's got history. Think stunning, classic Aussie scenery for days. But pro tip: this isn't a drive you want to tackle after dark. Animals are known to wander onto the road, and cell service can be spotty, so plan your stops and fuel carefully. And yeah, it's worth noting that the Mitchell Highway has sadly seen its share of accidents. It’s a vital route for getting around, but stay alert and respect the road, and you'll have an unforgettable adventure!
easyAramoana Road: One of the Most Beautiful (and Sometimes Nerve-Wracking) Coastal Drives in the World
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along Aramoana Road in New Zealand's South Island, right where Otago Harbour meets the Pacific. Seriously, this coastal drive is something else. It's like driving at sea level, with the ocean practically glued to your side! You'll find this gem northeast of Dunedin, winding its way from Port Chalmers up to Aramoana - a name that means "pathway of the sea" in Māori. The road itself is paved and clocks in at about 10.7 km (6.64 miles). Quick heads up: Aramoana carries a sad history, having been the site of a mass shooting back in 1990. There's a memorial near the Aramoana Mole if you want to pay your respects. Now, back to the fun stuff! People rave about the views – endless, breathtaking coastal scenery as you hug the bays. But fair warning: some drivers find it a bit intense being so close to the water without guardrails. If you're not a fan of driving right on the edge, it might get your heart pumping! But if you're up for the adventure, you're in for one unforgettable ride.
hardWhere is Mount Cheeseman?
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Okay, picture this: you're on New Zealand's South Island, about an hour and a half from Christchurch, heading into the Southern Alps. You're aiming for Mount Cheeseman, home to a sweet little ski area. Now, getting there is part of the adventure. The Mount Cheeseman Access Road is about 12 km of pure, unadulterated 4x4 fun. Forget the pavement, this is a gravel road all the way! We're talking steep climbs, potentially narrow sections, and some serious drop-offs. The road starts at SH 73, a couple of clicks past Castle Hill village. You'll dive into a beech forest before emerging into stunning alpine scenery. Trust me, the views are worth it. Word to the wise: this is 4WD territory. And definitely bring chains, especially if it's winter. The weather up here can change in a heartbeat. You'll climb from around 1,550m to the ski area, with a side trip on the chairlift service road taking you up to 1,862m. Keep an eye out for road closures, and respect them: there's always a good reason! But if the road is clear, get ready for an epic drive.
moderateDriving to Island Saddle, the Highest Public Road in New Zealand
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Alright, fellow adventurers, let's talk Island Saddle! Perched way up in the New Zealand high country at a cool 1,371m (4,498ft), this spot might just be the highest public road in the whole country! You'll find it straddling the Canterbury and Marlborough regions in the North Island, tracing a route etched back in the 50s when they needed to get power lines up to Nelson and Buller. Forget smooth tarmac – this is strictly unpaved territory. We're talking about Rainbow Road (aka Rainbow Valley–Hanmer Road), a 112km (70 mile) beast of a track stretching from Hanmer Springs to Saint Arnaud. A 4WD is essential to get over the Saddle (though 2WDs can access Lake Tennyson). Keep in mind, this route cuts across private land within the Crimea Range. It's generally only open to the public from late December to early April, so time your trip right. The views are out of this world!