Don’t rely on your GPS on the South Face Road
Australia, oceania
30.3 km
1,478 m
moderate
Year-round
South Face Road, nestled in Victoria, Australia, is your rugged path up to Mount Baw Baw Alpine Resort, perched at a cool 1,478m (4,849ft).
This isn't your average Sunday drive! Starting north of Rawson off Thomson Valley Road, you'll be tackling 30.3km (18.82 miles) of unpaved beauty. Think stunning views as you wind through the National Park on narrower roads towards Mt Baw Baw.
The upside? This road isn't super twisty. If switchbacks make you queasy, you might prefer this route to the Mount Baw Baw Tourist Road. South Face Road’s more even gradient and easier turns are a godsend when the weather turns nasty!
Be warned: "easy" doesn't mean flat! Some sections are seriously steep, hitting a max gradient of 17%. Cyclists, this is one of Australia's toughest climbs!
Fuel up BEFORE you head up the mountain as there are no stations at the top, and don't trust your GPS implicitly, as coverage can be spotty. Watch out for logging trucks year-round, especially at intersections and around bends.
Alpine weather is no joke – it changes fast! Pack for all conditions, especially during winter when snow is common. Warm, waterproof gear, sunscreen, and tire chains (mandatory during snow season, last stop for chains is Erica!) are essential. And diesel drivers, don't forget your anti-freeze!
Where is it?
Don’t rely on your GPS on the South Face Road is located in Australia (oceania). Coordinates: -29.3885, 136.6228
Road Details
- Country
- Australia
- Continent
- oceania
- Length
- 30.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,478 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- -29.3885, 136.6228
Related Roads in oceania
moderateHow to drive the defiant Ivanhoe Crossing in Australia?
🇦🇺 Australia
Hey adventure junkies! Ever heard of a wild ride across the Ord River in Western Australia's Kimberley region? Just 8 km north of Kununurra lies Ivanhoe Crossing – a super-remote, concrete causeway that's basically an Aussie rite of passage. Built way back in the '50s, this curved crossing stretches for 540 meters, offering a unique (and sometimes dicey!) driving experience. But fair warning: during the wet season (November to March), this baby's underwater and totally off-limits. Even when it's open, the current can be fierce, so high-clearance vehicles are a must! This place is seriously gorgeous! You might even recognize it from the movie "Australia." But keep your eyes peeled for saltwater crocs – definitely no swimming allowed! This crossing has a 15-tonne load limit. Heed the safety signs, respect the river, and you'll have an unforgettable adventure. Some folks have gotten a bit *too* confident and paid the price. Stay safe out there, folks, and soak in those epic Kimberley views!
easyIs the Tjukaruru Road unpaved?
🇦🇺 Australia
Alright, adventure seekers, buckle up for the Tjukaruru Road! This isn't just a drive, it's an outback experience. Connecting Warburton in Western Australia to the Great Central Road, it's your east-west ticket across the heart of the country, a whopping distance. Starting near Cosmo Newberry, an Indigenous community nestled by Lake Throssell, you'll quickly find yourself on unpaved territory - think gravel and sand galore! Now, here's the thing: this road is a chameleon. In dry weather, it can be a surprisingly easy cruise. But after rain? Hold on tight! Flash flooding can turn it into a muddy, slippery challenge, even impassable at times thanks to river crossings. While technically not strictly 4x4 only (graded for 2WD vehicles), you'll feel way more confident in a four-wheel drive. Seriously, the conditions can change in a heartbeat! And heads up: you're out there. This is remote Australia, so be prepared. We're talking minimal traffic, limited help, and patchy cell service. Pack that communication gear, and let someone know your itinerary. Get ready for stunning scenery!
hardDriving the Unsealed and Challenging Road to Mount Cheeseman
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! We're heading to Mount Cheeseman on New Zealand's South Island, clocking in at a cool 1,550m (that's over 5,000ft!). This spot, nestled in the Southern Alps, is about an hour and a half (111 km) outside Christchurch, Canterbury, and it's home to the Mt Cheeseman Ski Area. Now, the road up? Buckle up because it's an unpaved beauty, about 12 km (7.45 miles) of pure Kiwi wilderness. You'll find the turnoff on the Great Alpine Highway (SH 73), just past Castle Hill village – keep your eyes peeled for the entrance on the left before the Broken River Bridge. The Mount Cheeseman Access Road isn't for the faint of heart. We're talking 4x4 territory only, folks! Leave the campervan at home. Expect steep climbs, narrow sections, and some thrilling drop-offs. Chains are a must-pack. The road starts winding through a beech forest before opening up to some seriously stunning alpine views. There's an unload point near the Base T-Bar, with the carpark just a bit further down the road. Word to the wise: this is alpine country, so the weather can flip on a dime. Conditions can change from good to challenging in no time. Always respect those road closures and locked gates – there's a reason they're there! But, if you're prepared for a bit of ruggedness (Mt Cheeseman staff call it "scenic," haha!), the views are SO worth it. Get ready for an epic drive!
extremeCan you drive Skippers Canyon?
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Skippers Canyon Road, nestled in the southwest of New Zealand's South Island, is one of those roads that's as famous for its scenery as it is for its sheer audacity. Carved by hand over 140 years ago by miners, this 17.4 km (10.81 miles) unpaved track clings to the side of a cliff, high above the Shotover River, running from Coronet Peak Road to Skippers Campground. Picture this: a narrow cut, barely wide enough for one vehicle in places, winding its way along a cliff face with serious drop-offs. Mostly one-way, for 6km there's absolutely nowhere to turn around! There are no guardrails, so you're relying on your driving skills and a healthy dose of courage. It’s beautiful, there’s no doubt about that, with stunning backcountry views and rocky outcrops sculpted by the back-breaking labor of Chinese miners. But be warned: this isn’t a Sunday drive. The road throws everything at you: winding turns, gravel, potential rockfalls, steep drops, and even animals popping out. The recommended speed is a snail's pace of 15 km/h for a reason! Most rental car companies won't cover you if you drive here, which tells you everything you need to know. Think 4x4 vehicle only, and leave the caravans and trailers at home. In winter, snow can shut things down completely. The road's history is as rugged as the landscape. Built during the gold rush between 1883 and 1890, it was an engineering marvel of its time, carved out of solid rock using black gunpowder and hand drills. It took 22 years! Even today, it looks much the same as it did back then. Despite its challenging nature, Skippers Canyon Road has become a major tourist attraction. People come from all over to experience the thrill of the drive, to bungy jump, or to go white-water rafting. It's even been featured in movies like *Lord of the Rings* and *Mission: Impossible*. This is not just a road; it's an experience etched into the very rock of New Zealand's history.