Driving the challenging coastal road to Stony Bay in NZ
New Zealand, oceania
6.7 km
N/A
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure-seekers, listen up! If you're heading to Stony Bay on the North Island of New Zealand, get ready for an off-road thrill! This hidden gem lies at the eastern tip of the Coromandel Peninsula, beckoning you with its promise of unspoiled beauty and the awesome Stony Bay Campsite.
The road in, Stony Bay Road, is a 6.7 km (4.16 miles) stretch of pure, unadulterated gravelly goodness starting from Port Charles. Now, don't be fooled by the distance – this isn't your average Sunday drive.
While it's nice and quiet in winter, come summertime (especially mid-December to mid-January), this road gets BUSY. Expect campervans, trucks, and boat-towing rigs galore! My advice? Start early to beat the rush. Seriously, if you're a newbie driver, maybe skip this one during the Christmas holidays.
Why the warning? Well, the road is narrow, unsealed, winding, and remote. Think tight corners and limited passing spots. Be prepared to reverse a bit to let others through, especially those hauling boats or trailers. Rainy weather? Expect a slippery surface. Slow and steady wins the race on this one! But hey, the scenery is incredible, so take your time and enjoy the ride!
Where is it?
Driving the challenging coastal road to Stony Bay in NZ is located in New Zealand (oceania). Coordinates: -41.8561, 174.4108
Road Details
- Country
- New Zealand
- Continent
- oceania
- Length
- 6.7 km
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -41.8561, 174.4108
Related Roads in oceania
hardPlenty Highway is a remote outback road in Australia’s Northern Territory
🇦🇺 Australia
Okay, picture this: the Plenty Highway, aka State Route 12, smack-dab in the Northern Territory's outback. This isn't just a road, it's an adventure! Clocking in at 494 km (306 miles), it kicks off from the Stuart Highway, about 68 clicks north of Alice Springs, and winds its way to Tobermorey Homestead near the Queensland border, joining up with the legendary Outback Way. This road started as a humble cattle track, but now it's calling your name. The first 100km are a smooth sealed dream, but after Ongeva Creek, you're in for a real outback experience with a well-maintained dirt road. Word to the wise: do your homework before you hit the Plenty. Non-stop, it's a 16-20 hour commitment, but trust me, you'll want 2-3 days to soak it all in. Aim for May to October for the best weather (skip the scorching summer!). And heads up – when it rains, this road can become impassable. Prepare to be alone out there. This highway cuts through some seriously remote country, so be ready for potential floods (especially to the east), extreme bull dust, and some massive potholes – definitely a dry-weather-only kind of trip. A 4x4 is a must, and caravans should probably sit this one out. Pack solid comms and navigation gear, and you're set to discover the real outback.
easyDriving the scenic B68 in Tasmania
🌍 Tasmania
Okay, so you HAVE to check out the B68 in Tasmania! Seriously, the views alone are worth the trip. This mostly coastal road (it's actually Sandy Bay Road and Channel Highway combined) takes you on a gorgeous 98 km (61 miles) adventure from Hobart down to the sweet little town of Huonville. Picture this: you're cruising along, the water shimmering beside you, and you're basically driving through history, since this route started as a track way back in the 1800s! Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife and just soak in that incredible Tasmanian scenery.
easyWhere is Moonbi Lookout?
🇦🇺 Australia
Okay, picture this: You're heading to Moonbi Lookout, a sweet spot perched high on a granite outcrop. We're talking 2,473 feet above sea level, people! The views? Unreal. You've got the whole landscape spread out before you, with gorgeous vistas of the Cockburn Shire Council area. On a clear day, they say you can even glimpse the distant peaks of something amazing – keep an eye out! Plus, there's tons of room to park at the top if you want to hang out for a while. The road up, called something unique, is pretty easy to navigate. It's paved the whole way from the highway and is a short distance. Sure, it gets a little narrow and steep in sections, but nothing your average car can't handle. It just winds its way up an easy grade. Caravans are welcome, too! Get ready for some serious scenery!
hardWhere is Old Woman Range?
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Okay, picture this: you're in New Zealand's Otago region, itching for an adventure. I've got just the spot - Old Woman Range! We're talking seriously high altitude here, one of the highest roads in the whole country. You'll find this peak chilling near the Southland border, smack-dab in the Kopuwai Conservation Area. The views from the mountain hut at the top? Forget about it! Panoramic doesn't even begin to cover it. Think stunning Central Otago landscapes stretching as far as the eye can see. Now, a word of warning: this ain't your typical Sunday drive. The road is completely unpaved, and bumpy as anything. We're talking old gold mining track stuff, so a 4WD is an absolute must. We're talking about 19.9 km (12.36 miles) from Nevis to the top! Heads up, this road is usually only open in summer and only when it's dry. The weather here can be super unpredictable, even in summer, so conditions can change in a heartbeat. Plus, you're way out in the boonies, with zero cell service, so getting stuck is a real possibility. Seriously, don't even think about tackling this one solo. You barely see another soul out there. But for views like this? It's hard to find.