Alpine Way is an ideal road trip in Australia
Australia, oceania
123 km
1,597 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: the Alpine Way in New South Wales, Australia. Seriously, it's got to be one of the most scenic drives *ever*, with views stretching south into the Victorian Alps. They say it's one of the highest and windiest roads in Oz!
Back in the day, this was an old cattle route used by stockmen, but now it's a fully paved road (thanks to upgrades in the 90s) stretching 123km from Jindabyne to the border of New South Wales and Victoria.
This is a *mountain* road, folks. We're talking steep sections, hitting a 13% gradient in spots! You'll climb to 1,597m (5,239ft) above sea level at Dead Horse Gap, high in the Snowy Mountains.
Heads up: this road is usually open year-round, but winter can bring closures. Conditions change FAST, so be prepared. If you're rolling in a two-wheel drive between June and the October long weekends, snow chains are a must between Thredbo and Tom Groggin. Honestly, they might be needed elsewhere too! The area's harsh, so they spend a lot of time keeping the road in good shape. Watch out for rockfalls after it rains, though!
Set aside 2.5 to 4 hours to cruise the whole thing. The views are knockout. Think rugged mountains, panoramic vistas, the works!
Just a heads up, some parts between Khancoban and Thredbo are narrow and steep. This isn't a route for trucks, buses, or huge caravans. But if you're up for an adventure, you won't regret this drive!
Where is it?
Alpine Way is an ideal road trip in Australia is located in Australia (oceania). Coordinates: -28.1579, 133.2615
Road Details
- Country
- Australia
- Continent
- oceania
- Length
- 123 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,597 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -28.1579, 133.2615
Related Roads in oceania
hardTake the Scenic Road and Discover French Pass in NZ
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Want to get off the beaten path in New Zealand? Head to French Pass, a sleepy little village at the top of the South Island! The road there, winding through the Marlborough Sounds, is a stunner. The road to this timeless seaport (also called Te Aumiti) is an adventure in itself. Picture this: mostly gravel, one-lane bridges, hairpin turns, and some seriously narrow bits with steep drop-offs. It's a real "Kiwi" road! Keep an eye out for sheep and cattle roaming free – and plenty of cattle stops (and gates!). You'll want to secure anything loose in your car before you hit the first one! Starting from Ōkiwi Bay, the road stretches for about 38 km, climbing to 413m above sea level near Saddle Hill. This twisty road was built way back in 1957. It'll probably take you an hour or two to drive without stopping, and you might not even see another car the whole way. This isn't a popular tourist route, but that's part of its charm! Prepare to be amazed by the scenery – rolling farmland, a unique mineral belt, lush native bush, and those incredible sea views of the French Pass and d’Urville Island. Oh, and did I mention French Pass has some of the fastest tidal flows in New Zealand?
hardDriving the Narrow Kiwi Road in Taranaki's Most Isolated Countryside
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Hey adventure seekers! Want a taste of real New Zealand? Then ditch the main drag and head to Kiwi Road in northern Taranaki! This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking narrow, unpaved, and a little rough around the edges. Think winding tracks where two cars might have to play chicken. Plus, the edges are getting a bit crumbly, so leave the RV at home. But don't let that scare you off! It's a steep climb to 363m (1,190ft), but keep your speed down, and you'll be fine. Seriously, this feels more like a goat track in sections! This 17.9 km (11.12 miles) gem runs from Moki Road to Okau Road, hugging State Highway 3 but offering a totally different vibe. Forget traffic jams – this is pure, isolated bliss through some of Taranaki's most stunning scenery. If you love nature, you'll be in heaven. Trust me, you'll want to build in time for photo stops – the views are insane! The grand finale? The Kiwi Road Tunnel, a seriously cool, narrow tunnel built way back in 1915. At 154m (507ft) long, it's a tight squeeze and a total throwback. Get ready for an unforgettable road trip!
moderateWhen was the Tablelands Highway built?
🇦🇺 Australia
Okay, adventurers, listen up! Ready for a true Aussie outback experience? The Tablelands Highway (aka State Route 11) in the Northern Territory is calling your name! Built back in the 60s to move cattle, this baby is remote. We're talking *no* towns, *no* services for the entire length. Picture this: 375 km (233 miles) of single-lane sealed road stretching from Barkly Homestead. Yes, it's bitumen all the way, but hold your horses! Some spots are rough, with a narrow strip of bitumen. Thankfully, traffic is light. It's undulating terrain, caravan-friendly, and generally open year-round. Now, for the nitty-gritty: If you see a vehicle coming—especially a road train—slow *way* down and get completely off the road. Trust me on this one. Also, watch out for washouts on the shoulders after rain. Oh, and cattle! This is unfenced country, so expect to share the road with our bovine friends. Keep your eyes peeled!
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!