The Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Lake Ohau Road

The Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Lake Ohau Road

New Zealand, oceania

Length

39.8 km

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: you're cruising through New Zealand's Mackenzie High Country, not far from the epic Mt Cook. You're on the Lake Ohau Road, and trust me, it's a stunner.

This road is about 40 km (25 miles) of pure scenic bliss around Lake Ohau. You'll start on smooth asphalt for about 23 km heading north from the Twizel-Omarama Road, but then it gets a little more adventurous as it turns to gravel. Don't worry, it's all part of the fun as you hug the shores of this gorgeous glacial lake!

Seriously, the views are insane. You're basically nestled amongst these gigantic mountains in the Southern Alps. Lake Ohau itself sits pretty between the Ohau Range and the Ben Ohau Range. Itโ€™s a drive you won't forget.

Where is it?

The Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Lake Ohau Road is located in New Zealand (oceania). Coordinates: -41.9211, 176.3965

Share this road

Road Details

Country
New Zealand
Continent
oceania
Length
39.8 km
Difficulty
moderate
Coordinates
-41.9211, 176.3965

Related Roads in oceania

How long is the road to Mount Kosciuszko?moderate

How long is the road to Mount Kosciuszko?

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡บ Australia

Okay, picture this: you're in New South Wales, Australia, ready to conquer the country's highest peak! We're talking about Mount Kosciuszko, a majestic beauty reaching 2,228m (7,310ft). Once upon a time, you could drive almost to the top! Now, the old road is a hiking and biking trail. The adventure starts in the Snowy Mountains, inside Kosciuszko National Park. The Summit Road trail stretches for 9.2km (5.71 miles) โ€“ a totally unpaved path of gravel and rocks. This climb is a total must-do. You'll pass the iconic Snowy River and the historic Seamans Hut. Rawson Pass, nestled at the base of the mountain, offers stunning views of the main range. Cyclists, take note: you can ride up to Rawson Pass, but then it's time to park the bike and hike the rest of the way. Oh, and did I mention Rawson Pass is home to Australia's highest public toilets? Pretty cool, right? The road crosses the Snowy River at 4.5 km and then ascends gradually to Seaman's Hut (6 km), Rawson's Pass (8 km), and, finally, to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko. Get ready for breathtaking views and an unforgettable experience!

Exploring Flinders Ranges Way from Hawker to Blinmaneasy

Exploring Flinders Ranges Way from Hawker to Blinman

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡บ Australia

Get ready for an epic Aussie adventure on the Flinders Ranges Way! This 110km (68-mile) beauty takes you from Hawker to Blinman, right through the heart of the spectacular Flinders Ranges in South Australia. The good news? It's all paved, so it's a pretty smooth ride. It climbs up to 688m (2,257ft), and keep an eye on the weather forecast as conditions can change after rain. But the *real* star of the show is the scenery. Seriously, this drive is a feast for the eyes! You'll be treated to stunning views at every turn, and there are FIVE epic lookouts along the way โ€“ Arkaba Hill, Elder Range, Rawnsley, Hucks, and Stokes Hill โ€“ each offering a totally different perspective on the rugged beauty of the Ranges. Just a heads-up: this is desert country, so the weather can be extreme. Summer can be scorching hot (think almost 50 degrees!), while winter nights can get seriously frosty. Pack accordingly! Spring is wildflower season and absolutely stunning, but even though it doesnโ€™t rain a lot, flash flooding can happen. So, check the local conditions before you go, and get ready for an unforgettable road trip!

How long is the road to Rawson Pass?moderate

How long is the road to Rawson Pass?

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡บ Australia

Okay, picture this: you're in New South Wales, Australia, ready for an adventure in the Snowy Mountains! You're about to tackle Summit Road, an 8-kilometer unpaved track that climbs to Rawson Pass, a whopping 2,124 meters (6,968 feet) high. This used to be a drivable road right up to Mount Kosciuszko, but now itโ€™s open to hikers and cyclists only. The trail is a bit rough โ€“ think gravel and rocks โ€“ but trust me, the views are worth it. You'll pass the iconic Snowy River, and the historic Seamans Hut. Rawson Pass itself sits at the foot of Australia's highest mountain, offering incredible vistas of the main range. Keep an eye out for the highest public toilets in Australia at Rawson Pass! It's a gradual climb after crossing the Snowy River at the 4.5km mark. Then it's onwards and upwards to Seaman's Hut (6km), Rawson's Pass (8km) and finally, the summit of Mount Kosciuszko. Don't forget your camera!

Travelling through the unpaved The Basin-Olinda Road in Victoriamoderate

Travelling through the unpaved The Basin-Olinda Road in Victoria

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡บ Australia

Okay, picture this: Basin-Olinda Road, a totally gorgeous dirt road snaking through the Dandenong Ranges, just southeast of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Itโ€™s about 6.7 km (4.16 miles) of pure Aussie bush, climbing from the little town of The Basin (elevation: 175m) all the way up to Olinda, perched way up high at 507m. That's a climb of 332 vertical meters! The average grade is around 5%, but be warned: there are some seriously steep sections kicking up to 10.5% โ€“ definitely a workout for your vehicle! Keep an eye out, though, this track is unpaved for most of its length (only the start and finish are sealed), and it can cop a beating from storms, so conditions can change. But trust me, the views are totally worth it!