Haast Pass is a beautiful alpine scenic road in NZ
New Zealand, oceania
139 km
569 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through New Zealand's South Island on State Highway 6, also known as the Haast Pass-Makarora Road. This alpine scenic route is seriously stunning! You'll be driving between Wanaka, a cool resort town, and Haast, a smaller village, on a fully paved road that stretches for 139 km (86 miles).
This route cuts through the Southern Alps, reaching a height of 569m (1,866ft). It winds along the boundary between the West Coast and Otago regions. It’s got some history too, once being a traditional Maori pathway.
Now, this isn't a boring highway drive. Expect a challenging road with countless curves and bends. Keep an eye out for one-lane bridges (heavy vehicles, take note of the speed limit!) and watch out for potential slips.
But, oh man, the scenery! You're driving through Mount Aspiring National Park, so expect incredible views. Give yourself at least 2 hours without stops to soak it all in. You'll be treated to rainforests, wetlands, lakes, and glacier-fed rivers. Just be aware that heavy snow or ice can sometimes close the pass temporarily, so check conditions before you go. Seriously, this drive is epic.
Where is it?
Haast Pass is a beautiful alpine scenic road in NZ is located in New Zealand (oceania). Coordinates: -41.5938, 174.6744
Road Details
- Country
- New Zealand
- Continent
- oceania
- Length
- 139 km
- Max Elevation
- 569 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- -41.5938, 174.6744
Related Roads in oceania
moderateIs Trig Track Walhalla unpaved?
🇦🇺 Australia
Okay, thrill-seekers, buckle up for the Trig Track in Victoria, Australia! This isn't your average Sunday drive. Think stunning views mixed with a serious dose of "hold-on-tight" action. First off, forget pavement. This 5.5 km (3.41 miles) beast is all about unsealed, rutted surfaces from who-knows-where to One Speck Track. We're talking bumpy terrain that will laugh at your average car. Seriously, you NEED a 4WD and some serious driving skills – and be prepared to ford the Aberfeldy River. Reaching a peak of 887m (2,910ft), Trig Track is usually closed from June to November, and trust me, you do NOT want to try it in the wet. It's challenging enough as it is! What makes it so wild? Twelve hairpin switchbacks so sharp they feel like a theme park ride gone rogue! Because it's so steep, and a bit of a hazard, the local park authorities came up with a crazy solution: even tighter switchbacks! Get ready for some multi-point turns and reversing uphill. Surreal doesn't even begin to cover it.
moderateDriving through the narrow Moki Tunnel in NZ
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Alright, adventure junkies, listen up! Deep in New Zealand's North Island, in the Taranaki region, lies the Moki Tunnel. Picture this: a 180-meter-long, one-lane tunnel carved straight through the landscape! Back in 1935, some seriously dedicated folks from the Public Works Department hand-dug this bad boy with nothing but picks and shovels to make the Moki Saddle passable during winter. Can you believe it? Originally, it was only 5 meters high, but they dug deeper in 1989, boosting it to 7 meters. The road itself? It's part of the legendary Forgotten World Highway (State Highway 43) between Taumarunui and Stratford – a drive you won't soon forget! Just past the tunnel, the road opens into the scenic Tangarakau Gorge, where the pavement turns to gravel. Word to the wise: it can get slick when it rains. Inside Whanganui National Park, this tunnel is affectionately nicknamed "Hobbit's Hole" (even has a sign to prove it!). Just a heads-up – vehicles over 4.5 meters are a no-go, and it’s snug even for regular cars. There's a gravel parking area where you can stretch your legs and learn about the tunnel's history. Seriously, this is a must-see for anyone craving a bit of off-the-beaten-path New Zealand magic!
hardMount 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!
moderateTravelling through the scenic Noah Creek bridge
🇦🇺 Australia
Okay, picture this: You're cruising along Cape Tribulation Road in Queensland, heading from Cape Trib towards Thornton Beach, and BAM! You hit the Noah Creek bridge. This isn't your average overpass, folks. We're talking a wooden bridge, built way back in WWII by the US Army Corps of Engineers, with planks under your tires. It's a short hop at just 22.7 meters (around 74 feet), and can handle vehicles up to 25 tons. This relic is not only functional, but gives you a little taste of history as you take in the gorgeous scenery.