Driving the scenic Hamersley Drive on the south coast of Western Australia

Driving the scenic Hamersley Drive on the south coast of Western Australia

Australia, oceania

Length

65.2 km

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

easy

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the south coast of Western Australia, wind in your hair, heading north from Hopetoun. You're in the Shire of Ravensthorpe, exploring the legendary Fitzgerald River National Park.

This is the Hamersley Drive Heritage Trail Scenic Drive, a total stunner stretching for about 65 km. The first part? Smooth, paved road hugging a ridiculously beautiful coastline with killer lookout points. As you head further in the northern part it turns to unpaved gravel.

Keep in mind, even though it's mostly a two-wheel drive kind of road, conditions can change quickly. Rain can shut it down, so check ahead. But if the weather's on your side, get ready for some serious coastal drama!

Where is it?

Driving the scenic Hamersley Drive on the south coast of Western Australia is located in Australia (oceania). Coordinates: -24.1205, 133.8919

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Australia
Continent
oceania
Length
65.2 km
Difficulty
easy
Coordinates
-24.1205, 133.8919

Related Roads in oceania

Omarama Clay Cliffshard

Omarama Clay Cliffs

🇳🇿 New Zealand

Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the South Island of New Zealand, Mackenzie Basin to be exact, and you're itching for something otherworldly. Look no further than the Omarama Clay Cliffs! The road to get there? Let's just say it adds to the adventure. It's a gravel road, so buckle up for a bumpy ride! We're talking a maintained gravel road where most 2WDs with decent clearance can make it if you take it slow and steady. Watch out for potholes and dust! Trust me, these crazy silt and gravel pinnacles are worth the dusty trek. It's a private road, so you'll need to toss a few bucks ($5 per vehicle) into the donation box at the gate to help with upkeep. Heads up: the road gets gnarlier beyond the cliffs, turning into a 4x4-only track real quick. But, for the main attraction? Totally doable and totally unforgettable!

Mount Bankshard

Mount Banks

🇦🇺 Australia

Okay, so you're headed to the Blue Mountains in New South Wales, Australia? Ditch the highway and find Mount Banks Road! It's a seriously cool little mountain pass sitting pretty at 863 meters up. Now, fair warning: this isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking gravel, steep inclines, and a road that gets *real* narrow in places. It's only 1.2 km of unpaved fun, but after rain, it turns into a muddy, slippery adventure. Seriously, you might need a 4x4 to make it through, and even then, a big storm could shut it down completely. But when it's dry, most cars can manage the trek. The track winds through the Blue Mountains National Park, ending at a picnic spot about a kilometer from Mount Banks summit (look for the trig station!). The views are incredible. Trust me, the slightly hairy drive is worth it for the scenery alone!

Paekakariki Hill Road in NZ is one of the most beautiful coastal driveseasy

Paekakariki Hill Road in NZ is one of the most beautiful coastal drives

🇳🇿 New Zealand

Okay, picture this: you're cruising along Paekakariki Hill Road, one of the most stunning coastal drives on New Zealand's North Island. This beauty, dating back to 1849, snakes its way along the south-western coast, totally paved and begging to be explored. This isn't just any road; it's a 17km (10.56 miles) ribbon of asphalt connecting Paekākāriki to Pāuatahanui with non-stop views. Budget around 25-35 minutes to soak it all in. But heads up! This road demands your attention. It's known to get a bit slippery when the rains come down, and sometimes Mother Nature throws a tantrum and closes it down for a while. The road climbs up to 242m (793ft), and you'll definitely feel it in some of those steeper sections where the gradient hits 16%. But trust me, those coastal views are so worth it!

Alpine Way is an ideal road trip in Australiahard

Alpine Way is an ideal road trip in Australia

🇦🇺 Australia

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!