Driving the Wild 4x4 Road to Old Woman Range

Driving the Wild 4x4 Road to Old Woman Range

New Zealand, oceania

Length

19.9 km

Elevation

1,739 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're craving some serious off-road thrills in New Zealand, then the Old Woman Range in Otago needs to be on your radar. This ain't your average Sunday drive, folks. We're talking a lung-busting climb to 1,739m (5,705ft), making it one of the highest roads in the whole country!

Tucked away near the northern Southland border, inside the Kopuwai Conservation Area, this peak rewards you with insane panoramic views from the summit, especially from the mountain hut perched right on top. Think classic Central Otago landscapes stretching as far as the eye can see.

But here's the deal: getting there is half the adventure... and a real test for your vehicle! This is a super bumpy, entirely unpaved track that follows an old gold mining route. Seriously, a 4WD is non-negotiable.

The journey kicks off from Nevis and spans almost 20 km (12.36 miles) of pure off-road goodness. Keep in mind access is restricted to summer and only when it's dry. This area can get slammed with severe weather, and even a summer day can turn nasty fast. Mobile coverage is non-existent, so be prepared. Also, never go alone – you’re unlikely to see other vehicles out there!

Where is it?

Driving the Wild 4x4 Road to Old Woman Range is located in New Zealand (oceania). Coordinates: -41.3848, 174.8416

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Road Details

Country
New Zealand
Continent
oceania
Length
19.9 km
Max Elevation
1,739 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
-41.3848, 174.8416

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