Henderson Bay Road

Henderson Bay Road

New Zealand, oceania

Length

6 km

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, so you're up north in New Zealand, near Kaitaia? You absolutely HAVE to check out Henderson Bay Road. It's this super chill, 6km stretch of metal road that connects Henderson Bay to State Highway 1. Honestly, it's worth the detour.

Seriously, the photo ops are insane. Keep your camera handy! The road itself is pretty quiet, which is nice, but the views... Oh man, to your right, you'll catch tantalizing glimpses of the harbor. And to your left? Sweeping ocean vistas and white sand beaches for DAYS. On a clear day, you can even see North Cape, the northernmost point of New Zealand. Trust me; you'll want to take your time on this one and soak it all in.

Where is it?

Henderson Bay Road is located in New Zealand (oceania). Coordinates: -41.3471, 174.6842

Share this road

Road Details

Country
New Zealand
Continent
oceania
Length
6 km
Difficulty
moderate
Coordinates
-41.3471, 174.6842

Related Roads in oceania

Driving through the Pohara Natural Bridge in the South Islandeasy

Driving through the Pohara Natural Bridge in the South Island

🇳🇿 New Zealand

Okay, picture this: You're cruising along the South Island of New Zealand, wind in your hair, Tasman Sea sparkling on your left. Suddenly, Abel Tasman Drive takes a turn for the awesome. You're heading straight for a massive rock formation – the Pohara Natural Bridge (also called the Tarakohe Archway, after that huge Tarakohe Rock nearby). Get ready for a serious "wow" moment, because you're about to drive *through* a cave! Yep, this road actually goes right through a natural tunnel carved out of limestone. For ages, this natural passage has been the easiest way to get between these little coastal coves. Back in the day, they even quarried the limestone here for cement, though the quarry is now abandoned. When they built Abel Tasman Drive, they decided to just go for it and route the road straight through the cave! It's totally paved, so you don't need a four-wheel-drive or anything. Just take it slow, soak in the scenery, and enjoy one of the most unique drives you'll ever experience. Seriously, how many roads do you know that tunnel through a natural cave? This area, including the nearby Tarakohe Wharf (or Port Tarakohe), is ridiculously scenic, so keep your eyes peeled and your camera ready!

Driving the remote Gary Highway in the Gibson Deserthard

Driving the remote Gary Highway in the Gibson Desert

🇦🇺 Australia

Okay, picture this: the Gary Highway, smack-dab in remote Western Australia. This isn't your Sunday drive kinda road, folks. We're talking seriously unsealed, 4x4 territory only! Think corrugated dirt track stretching 323km (201 miles) through the ridiculously arid Gibson and Great Sandy Deserts. Len Beadell carved this bad boy out back in '63, and it runs roughly south-to-north, connecting the Gunbarrel Highway near Everard Junction to the Gary Junction Road at, you guessed it, Gary Junction. Most of it is straight as an arrow, except for a fun little wiggle around some sand dunes. The scenery is harsh but epic in its own way. Seriously, though, vehicle prep and careful planning are crucial here. You're out in the middle of nowhere!

Nevis Road in NZ: Not Suitable for 2WD Vehicleshard

Nevis Road in NZ: Not Suitable for 2WD Vehicles

🇳🇿 New Zealand

Okay, picture this: you're cruising in Otago, New Zealand, near the Southland border, ready for an epic adventure. You're about to tackle the Nevis Road! This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking 65 km (40 miles) of unpaved glory, stretching from Bannockburn Road (close to Cromwell) all the way to State Highway 6 near Garston. Expect river crossings! Now, listen up: 2WD vehicles can usually make it to Duffers Saddle for about half the year, but honestly, this road is begging for a 4WD. In good weather, it's a rewarding drive. Beyond Duffers Saddle, though, 4WD is a must. The Nevis Valley section? That's strictly 4WD territory, and get ready for a rough ride with plenty of fords. As you climb, you'll find yourself high in the Old Woman Range, reaching a peak of 1,275 m (4,183 ft) at Duffers Saddle. Keep an eye out for the sign – it marks the highest public road in New Zealand! But be warned, the weather here is no joke. The road is closed from early June to September 30th for winter. Even in summer, things can change fast, so keep an eye on conditions. Snow or high river levels can make it impassable. Definitely bring a buddy or another vehicle – you're going to be pretty remote. Speaking of remote, be prepared. Seriously. Don't go solo. There's zero cell service, so if you get stuck, you're on your own. You won't see many other vehicles out here. You'll be too busy navigating the 26-ish river crossings anyway. And keep an eye out for historical reminders scattered throughout the area. Just a heads-up: heavy rain can make the track muddy and those river crossings a bit deeper.

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!