Driving the Dangerously Narrow Scenic Road Through Takarau Gorge

Driving the Dangerously Narrow Scenic Road Through Takarau Gorge

New Zealand, oceania

Length

7.7 km

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the southern part of New Zealand's North Island, about to stumble upon a hidden gem called Takarau Gorge. This place is seriously breathtaking!

Heads up, though: this road, Takarau Gorge Road, carved out by the Ohariu River north of Wellington, can be a bit temperamental. It's paved, yes, but super narrow in spots, shrinking down to a single lane as it twists and turns through the steep canyon. Think hairpin turns and blind corners galore!

Clocking in at just under 8 kilometers (that's about 5 miles), the road winds its way from Ohariu to Makara Road. The views are totally worth it, but if you're not a fan of tight squeezes, this might not be your cup of tea.

Word to the wise: flooding can be a real issue here, especially after a good downpour. They'll shut it down if it gets too gnarly. Weekends and summer bring a few more cars, but generally, it's a pretty quiet ride. Get ready for an adventure!

Where is it?

Driving the Dangerously Narrow Scenic Road Through Takarau Gorge is located in New Zealand (oceania). Coordinates: -41.5103, 176.1830

Share this road

Road Details

Country
New Zealand
Continent
oceania
Length
7.7 km
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
-41.5103, 176.1830

Related Roads in oceania

Why is Whatipu Beach Famous?moderate

Why is Whatipu Beach Famous?

🇳🇿 New Zealand

Okay, so you wanna escape to a super secluded black sand beach? Check out Whatipu Beach on the west coast of Auckland! Nestled in the Waitakere Ranges Regional Parkland, this spot is famous for its wild beauty. Think dramatic black sand, crashing waves (surf's up, but be careful of those rips!), and epic views. You'll find dunes, caves, and this cool mix of plants and rocks. Keep in mind, no lifeguards here, so be smart about swimming. From the carpark, it's an easy walk to the beach. Bonus: the area's also a scientific reserve, so you're basically hanging out in nature's lab. The adventure starts on the drive in from Huia, a 9.3 km journey. Heads up, though – a good chunk of it is unpaved! It's a bit narrow in spots, only about 1.5 lanes wide, so take it slow and watch out for other cars. This winding road takes you over hills, across a ford, and then onto a gravel road for the final stretch. As you get closer and see fewer cars, you'll definitely feel like you're heading off the beaten path. Get ready for an awesome, slightly wild ride!

Nugget Point Lighthousemoderate

Nugget Point Lighthouse

🇳🇿 New Zealand

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! You absolutely HAVE to experience The Nuggets Road out to the Nugget Point Lighthouse in Otago, New Zealand. This isn't just a drive; it's a coastal dream. The road stretches for about 9 kilometers and is fully paved. Prepare for a squeeze, though! It's narrow, so passing can be tricky – patience is key. But trust me, the incredible views along the coastline are worth it! Once you reach the lighthouse, get ready to be blown away by the panoramic scenery in every direction. It's a photographer's paradise!

How long is the Barrier Highway?hard

How long is the Barrier Highway?

🇦🇺 Australia

Okay, road trip fans, buckle up for the Barrier Highway! This epic stretch connects New South Wales and South Australia across 1,014 km (630 mi) of pure Aussie outback. The name comes from the dramatic Barrier Ranges, and believe me, the scenery doesn't disappoint. This A32 route is fully paved, so no need for a 4x4. However, it's also home to Road Trains – seriously massive trucks – so keep an eye out. Now, about the weather: think scorching summers and surprisingly chilly winters, so pack accordingly! Heads-up: phone reception is patchy, so download those playlists beforehand. You'll also be cruising through some seriously remote areas, so plan your fuel stops and bring extra supplies. Trust me, running out of gas in the middle of nowhere isn't the kind of adventure you want. One more thing: dusk and dawn are prime time for kangaroos and emus to be on the move, so it's best to avoid driving at night. Trust me, you don't want to hit one!

French Line is one of Australia’s great touring tracksmoderate

French Line is one of Australia’s great touring tracks

🇦🇺 Australia

Tucked away in the remote Simpson Desert, in central Australia, the French Line is one of the country’s great touring tracks. It’s the most direct track across the desert. There are a number of large dunes to cross, and many of the climbs become degraded during any given season. It’s one of Australia’s best 4WD tracks. It’s said to be the shortest and most direct route across the Simpson Desert. The Simpson is the driest region of Australia and a dunal desert, crossing through breathtaking landscapes, colorful flora, and varied fauna. Expect to cross over 1200 red sand dunes and to feel as far removed from civilization as you’re ever likely to be. Most of the dunes are not too difficult to tackle, but there are just so many of them that you’ll need to be cautious to avoid vehicle damage. The road, also known as the Shot Line, is named after the French Petroleum Company, which put the line in 1964. It runs partly through South Australia and Queensland. The road is 262 km (162 miles) long, running east-west from Poeppel Corner to Dalhousie Springs. It’s totally unpaved. It’s a very demanding track as it normally has very soft sand. Keep in mind the Simpson Desert is closed between December and mid-March due to the summer temperatures. While in the desert, self-sufficiency is essential. Take emergency supplies and extra parts; make sure you know your route. The best time to be in the Simpson Desert is April to October when the daytime temperature will be comfortable. Carry at least seven liters of water per person per day, and emergency food and water for 7 days. The drive is not easy. It’s only single lane wide, and crossing the dunes can be challenging, especially when they are rutted out and bumpy in places. The road is slow going all the way (15–20 km/h). You need an equipped heavy 4WD with plenty of extra fuel, water, and a powerful UHF CB Radio and ideally a satellite phone or emergency GPS rescue beacon. Remember to drop your tire pressures. There are numerous salt lake crossings. When these are dry, they have a very firm base; however, when wet, they can become very sticky. In some cases, they are impassable, in which case you will have to make numerous detours to the north. Trailers of any kind are not recommended on the French Line. Plan about 4 days to complete the drive. Minimize the weight your vehicle will carry wherever possible; this will lower the risk of damage, improve fuel consumption, etc. Pic: Brett Fisher Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our interactive map 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 here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.