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
extremeHow long is Jacob’s Ladder in Tasmania?
🌍 Tasmania
Okay, adventure time! Let's talk Ben Lomond Mountain in Tassie, a proper bucket-list destination near Launceston. Picture this: a wild, unpaved road corkscrewing up 1,452 meters (that's 4,763 feet!). We're talking Ben Lomond Road, baby, starting from Upper Blessington and clocking in at 17.7 km (almost 11 miles) of pure driving exhilaration. The highlight? Jacob’s Ladder! This legendary stretch features six super-tight hairpin turns carved into dramatic dolerite cliffs. Trust me, the views from the top are worth every white-knuckle moment. It’s steep though – hit 13% gradients in places. Take your time – this is a road to savor, not speed through. Speaking of speed, stick to 30 km/h! This road demands respect. Give way to uphill traffic, and if you're heading down, drop a gear and let that engine braking do its thing. The average grade is 6.15%, and the whole climb from Upper Blessington gains you a whopping 1,089 meters. Even bus drivers need special licenses for Jacob’s Ladder. Watch out for those rogue rocks and keep an eye out for wildlife. Allow around 45 minutes for the drive, not counting stops for photos (and you'll want to stop!). And pro tip: if you're hitting this up in winter (which is ski season, FYI), pack your chains. Seriously, check the conditions and carry them between June and September – they may close the road with no warning. Ben Lomond National Park is jaw-dropping, offering views for days. The park's massive plateau and sheer cliffs are unforgettable.
moderateWhere is Lindis Pass?
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through New Zealand's South Island, heading over Lindis Pass. This epic spot sits pretty high at 966m (3,169ft), right between the Lindis and Ahuriri River valleys. You'll find it smack-dab on the border of Canterbury and Otago, connecting the Mackenzie Basin and Central Otago. The road, State Highway 8, is paved the whole way, stretching for about 80.2 km (49 miles) from Tarras to Omarama. Fun fact: it's the highest point on the South Island's state highway system! Trust me, you'll want to stop at the summit. There's a lookout with incredible views overlooking the Lindis Conservation Area, a sea of snow tussock grassland. And if you're coming from Omarama, consider a quick detour through Ahuriri Valley and back via Birchwood Road (it's gravel, so be prepared!). The pass is usually open year-round, but keep an eye on the weather. This area is known for its surprises, especially in winter with heavy snow and ice. Snow often piles up right next to the road for much of the year. The drive itself is a bit of a rollercoaster, with plenty of curves that demand your attention. You'll find some steep sections, hitting up to 10% grade in places, so you might not be hitting top speeds. But hey, slow down and enjoy the ride!
moderateAdventure along the wild Donohue Highway
🇦🇺 Australia
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the rugged northern reaches of the Simpson Desert foothills in Queensland, Australia. You're on the Donohue Highway, a seriously stunning stretch of road named after a local legend, Cliff Donohue. This isn't your average Sunday drive, though. We're talking 249 km (155 miles) of east-west adventure, connecting the Diamantina Developmental Road (Route 83) near Boulia to the Queensland/Northern Territory border where it meets State Route 12. Now, fair warning: this is Outback Australia at its finest, meaning mostly unpaved! Expect bone-jarring corrugations, axle-testing potholes, and clouds of bulldust that'll coat your vehicle (and everything else) in a fine layer of red. They only grade it occasionally. Sections are being paved, but don't count on it being smooth sailing. Rain? Forget it! The road becomes totally impassable. High-clearance vehicles and 4WDs are practically mandatory. But hey, that's part of the fun, right? Get ready for some epic scenery!
extremeMilford Road is a truly epic road in New Zealand
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Get ready for the Milford Road, an absolutely stunning drive slicing through South West New Zealand from Te Anau to Milford Sound! This paved beauty, part of State Highway 94, carves its way for 118km through Fiordland National Park, a chunk of the Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Area. Seriously, this is wilderness on steroids. Construction took ages, starting in 1929 during the Great Depression and finally wrapping up in 1953 (with a little break for WWII). Budget about 1.5 to 2 hours for the drive, but pro tip: triple that. You'll be stopping every five minutes to gawk! Think Mirror Lakes perfectly reflecting the Earl Mountains, the cascading waterfalls of the Cleddau River, and the mind-bending Avenue of the Disappearing Mountain. Lord of the Rings vibes are strong here, with mighty cliffs, snow-capped peaks, and fern trees doing their gravity-defying thing. This is the *only* road to Milford Sound, a must-see. Don't miss the Homer Tunnel, a 1,270-meter-long feat of engineering carved straight through solid granite! Clocking in at 940 meters above sea level at its highest point, this is one of the highest highways in New Zealand. Winter can be wild, with snow a real possibility. Chains are a must between June and November (and legally required!). Even in summer, snow can fall on the higher parts. Avalanches can be a threat in winter, too. This is remote territory, so fill up the gas tank in Te Anau (limited fuel is available at Gunns Camp and Milford Sound). Keep your wits about you, as the injury crash rates are a bit higher than average in New Zealand. Landslips, treefalls, and washouts can happen anytime, causing closures. Flooding can also happen, especially near rivers.