Acheron Road is an unforgettable drive in New Zealand
New Zealand, oceania
200 km
1,145 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventure-seekers, listen up! If you're in New Zealand's Marlborough high country and craving an unforgettable road trip, you HAVE to check out Acheron Road.
Picture this: You're cruising along a 200km (124-mile) stretch from Blenheim to Hanmer Springs, originally a sheep drover's track but now upgraded (thankfully!) It winds through Molesworth Station, which is HUGE – the largest farm in New Zealand, covering nearly half a million acres!
Locals also call it Molesworth Road or Molesworth Station Road. You'll transition from vineyards to grassy expanses and then climb into scree-covered hills. A 2WD or AWD with decent clearance should be fine, but leave your caravans, buses, or anything over 7 meters at home. Trailers? You'll need a special permit for those.
Word to the wise: this narrow, unpaved beauty is a backcountry road and can close without warning due to weather or fire risk. It climbs high – much of it is above 900m, topping out at Wards Pass at 1,145m (3,757ft), so snow is a real possibility. Typically, it's open 7 am to 7 pm daily, from October 1st to either Easter Monday or the second Sunday in April (whichever is later). Just a heads up - it's been opening October 1st since 2022. Get ready for some incredible views!
Where is it?
Acheron Road is an unforgettable drive in New Zealand is located in New Zealand (oceania). Coordinates: -41.9022, 174.3318
Road Details
- Country
- New Zealand
- Continent
- oceania
- Length
- 200 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,145 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- -41.9022, 174.3318
Related Roads in oceania
moderateHow to get by car to Waipu Gorge in New Zealand's North Island?
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Northland Region of New Zealand, smack-dab in the middle of the North Island. You're heading towards Piroa Falls, and the only way there is Waipu Gorge Road. This isn't your average Sunday drive! The road, nestled inside the Waipu Gorge Scenic Reserve, is a real adventure. It’s a twisty, unpaved ribbon of gravel that hugs the terrain. Seriously, take it slow. Those curves come up quick, and you don’t want to end up in the scenery – unless you *want* to get up close and personal with the stunning native bush and forest! Rally New Zealand has even raced here, so you know it's intense. This hidden gem of a road is about 20.4 km (12.67 miles) long and stretches north-south from State Highway 1 to State Highway 12, near Maungaturoto. Keep an eye out for the Ahuroa River because some sections have some pretty serious drop-offs. Also, parking is scarce, and the road can be closed without warning due to landslides or fallen trees. It's all part of the adventure, right?
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.
moderateMurray Scrub Road becomes boggy when it rains
🇦🇺 Australia
Murray Scrub Road is a scenic drive located in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Australia. Located within Toonumbar National Park, the road is totally unpaved. Starting at Afterlee Road, out of Kyogle, the road is 10.7km (6.64 miles) long, leading to the Iron Pot Creek picnic and After rain, even a single rainfall, conditions of the road can be challenging. Adverse weather conditions can prompt closure of the road. Set among shady rainforest trees, the road can become boggy when it rains. It is suitable for four-wheel drive in dry weather conditions only: road can be slippery after normal rain. Caves Road Tourist Drive What You Need To Know About The Beautiful But Dangerous Sea Cliff Bridge Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our 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 to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
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.