Where is Nevis Road?
New Zealand, oceania
65 km
1,275 m
moderate
Year-round
Nevis Road in Otago, New Zealand? Oh, you *need* to experience this drive. Think steep climbs, river crossings, and views for days!
You'll find it snaking near the Southland border, in the lower part of the South Island.
Clocking in at 65 km (40 miles), this unpaved beauty runs from Bannockburn Road (near Cromwell in Central Otago) all the way to State Highway 6 (close to Garston in northern Southland) — and it’s packed with adventure.
A 2WD *might* make it to Duffers Saddle during the warmer months, but honestly, a 4WD is your best bet. It’s a fun drive in good weather with a decent 4WD.
Heads up: beyond Duffers Saddle, you'll *definitely* need that 4WD. The Nevis Valley section, from Bannockburn to Garston, is strictly 4WD territory and can get pretty gnarly with lots of fords.
Nestled high in the Old Woman Range, you'll hit a peak of 1,275 m (4,183 ft) above sea level. Keep an eye out for the sign proudly declaring it the highest public road in New Zealand! But fair warning, the weather can be a real wild card up here.
The road's closed during the winter months (early June to September 30th). Even in summer, things can get dicey fast, with snow or high river levels shutting things down.
Pro tip: Don't go it alone! Bring a buddy or another vehicle; you're a long way from civilization.
This trip is REMOTE. There's zero cell service, so if you get stuck, you're on your own.
Traffic is practically non-existent, and there are about 26 river crossings to navigate. You'll spot echoes of the area's history all around. After heavy rain, expect mud and deeper water crossings.
Road Details
- Country
- New Zealand
- Continent
- oceania
- Length
- 65 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,275 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in oceania
extremeHow to get by car to The Obilisk in the Otago region?
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through Central Otago in New Zealand's South Island, right? You're headed towards this crazy cool rock formation called The Obelisk, or Kopuwai if you want to sound like a local. This ain't your average Sunday drive, though. We're talking about one of the highest roads in the country, topping out at 1,687 meters (that's a whopping 5,534 feet!). You'll find it near Alexandra, nestled in the ridiculously scenic Fruitlands area within the Kopuwai Conservation Area. Think lunar landscapes, bizarre rock formations, and views that will absolutely blow your mind. Now, heads up: You'll need a 4WD beast to tackle Symes Road, the old gold mining track leading to the summit. It's 11.9 km (or 7.39 miles) of totally unpaved, super bumpy fun starting from State Highway 8. Don't let the distance fool you, though – this climb is steep, gaining a massive 1,281 meters with an average gradient of 10.76%. Once you're at the top, you'll see a TV tower. Pro tip: park away from it, as those radio waves can mess with your car's electronics. The views from up there are insane panoramas of Central Otago! This road is only open in the summer when it’s dry. Winter is a no-go because of snow and the ground conditions. Speaking of conditions, weather can change on a dime up here, so check the forecast! Even in summer, bring warm, windproof layers. Fog can roll in fast, so pack a map and GPS to stay safe. Oh, and there's zero cell service, so don't even think about going solo. If you get stuck, you're on your own. But hey, that’s part of the adventure, right?
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.
hardThe haunted Street with No Name in Sydney
🇦🇺 Australia
Okay, Sydney thrill-seekers, buckle up for a seriously spooky detour! Just west of the city lies a place locals whisper about – The Street With No Name. Officially, it's Maxwell Road in the Annandale suburb, but don't let the ordinary name fool you. This isn't your average scenic route. Picture a narrow, overgrown alleyway snaking alongside a light rail viaduct, right near Jubilee Park. Sounds innocent enough, right? Wrong! This little spot has a dark history, and the park, in particular, seems to have a seriously creepy vibe. Forget stunning vistas; this place is all about eerie feelings and unexplained phenomena. Visitors report feeling suffocated by fear and anxiety, hearing disembodied footsteps, and catching strange whiffs in the air. Dogs and little kids especially seem to pick up on something unsettling here. Maybe it's the history of unsolved murders, but something about this spot just feels…evil. So, if you're brave enough for a paranormal adventure, The Street With No Name awaits, but don't say I didn't warn you!
moderateWhy is it called Landsborough Highway?
🇦🇺 Australia
Okay, road trip lovers, let's talk about the Landsborough Highway in western Queensland, Australia! This is one seriously epic route—one of the longest roads in the whole country. Named after the legendary explorer William Landsborough, who braved the Aussie outback back in the day, this highway stretches for a whopping 1,050 kilometers (that's 652 miles!). It's your main artery connecting all sorts of cool towns across Queensland, running from Mitchell all the way to Cloncurry. The good news? It's mostly bitumen, so most vehicles can handle it. Just be warned, this is the outback, so conditions can change depending on the season. So plan well! Heads up: you'll probably lose cell service in spots. Also, keep an eye out for wildlife. And a major thing to note: November to May is the wet season. This road can get seriously flooded—sometimes underwater for days. So, keep an eye on the weather forecast before you go, as the conditions can vary hugely along the route.