How long is Duck Creek Road?
Australia, oceania
15.6 km
143 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: Duck Creek Road, a seriously stunning track snaking along the Queensland/New South Wales border in Australia! Nestled in Lamington National Park, this isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking a full-on unpaved adventure of about 15.6km, linking Kerry Road to Lamington National Park Road.
Think easy 4WD trip...with a catch. It gets NARROW in sections, and seriously steep in others! You'll start near Kerry Road at a breezy 143 meters above sea level, climbing all the way to 875 meters. That's a climb of 732 meters! Expect some amazing views to match those climbs.
Now, here's the not-so-great news. This beauty is currently closed, and will remain closed until further notice.
Road Details
- Country
- Australia
- Continent
- oceania
- Length
- 15.6 km
- Max Elevation
- 143 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in oceania
moderateWhere is the Galston Gorge Road?
🇦🇺 Australia
Get ready for an adrenaline rush on Galston Gorge Road, a twisty, turny route through the stunning Galston Gorge in New South Wales, Australia! Nestled north of Sydney within the gorgeous Berowra Valley Regional Park, this paved beauty stretches 14.5km from Asquith to Dural. Built way back in 1895, it's got a bit of a reputation – and for good reason! Think blind turns, so watch out for cyclists, especially on weekends. You'll also encounter a narrow one-way wooden bridge over Tunks Creek, where patience is key. And those hairpins? Legendary! There are five in total. The three in the middle are seriously tight, and larger vehicles may need to swing wide (carefully!). In fact, anything over 7.5 meters is banned from the gorge altogether! But the challenge is worth it. During heavy rain, the gorge transforms into a wonderland of waterfalls and streams cascading alongside the road (drive carefully, though – it can get slippery!). Expect the drive to take around 20-30 minutes, and a pro-tip: starting from the Galston side makes for a more enjoyable, less brake-intensive experience.
hardTake the Scenic Route and Discover Gebbies Pass in NZ
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Alright, road trip lovers, let's talk Gebbies Pass! You'll find this gem nestled in Canterbury, on the South Island's east coast of New Zealand, chilling way up high in the Port Hills (aka Te Poho-o-Tamatea). We're talking a solid 161 meters (528 feet) above sea level, people! The road itself, aptly named Gebbies Pass Road, is fully paved and stretches for about 8.8 kilometers (5.46 miles). You'll cruise from Motukarara, near Lake Ellesmere, all the way to Teddington, right on the edge of Lyttelton Harbour. Keep an eye out near the top for the Gebbies Pass radio transmitter - a cool piece of broadcasting history. Just a heads up, though: this isn't your typical Sunday drive. It's a bit narrow and gets seriously twisty, and those steep sections? Expect gradients of up to 10%! But trust me, the scenery is worth it. It's located just south of Christchurch so you can easily make it part of your South Island adventure. Get ready for some epic views!
hardA legendary drive to Arthur's Pass in NZ
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Arthur's Pass, nestled high in New Zealand's South Island, clocks in at 739m (2,425ft) above sea level. You'll find it straddling the border between the wild West Coast and Canterbury regions, smack-dab in the heart of Arthur's Pass National Park. This route, now known as State Highway 73 or the Great Alpine Highway, was originally a Maori trading path. Imagine this: back in 1866, it was carved out of the landscape by hand to connect Hokitika and Christchurch after gold was discovered. Driving Arthur's Pass is a must-do in New Zealand. This iconic road climbs to over 900 meters, showcasing the most dramatic scenery the Southern Alps have to offer. Think incredible engineering feats – viaducts, bridges, rock shelters, and even waterfalls channeled into chutes. Heads up: petty theft from vehicles has been reported. The road is paved the whole way, and while breathtaking, it can be a bit of a white-knuckle ride, especially in winter. Snow and ice are common, and chains might be necessary. Rainfall is high, and snow is frequent in winter. Freezing temps are often encountered. The pass has been known to close for extended periods due to weather or landslides. While improvements have been made to visibility and curves over the years, the Otira Gorge and Arthur's Pass road can still be a challenge. The road gets seriously steep in places, hitting gradients of up to 16%! The pass stretches for 44.6 km (27.71 miles) from Jacksons on the West Coast to Bealey. You'll cross 11 bridges along the way. Allot about 45 minutes for the drive, and consider making Arthur's Pass your base for exploring the surrounding national park!
hardWhere is Old Woman Range?
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Okay, picture this: you're in New Zealand's Otago region, itching for an adventure. I've got just the spot - Old Woman Range! We're talking seriously high altitude here, one of the highest roads in the whole country. You'll find this peak chilling near the Southland border, smack-dab in the Kopuwai Conservation Area. The views from the mountain hut at the top? Forget about it! Panoramic doesn't even begin to cover it. Think stunning Central Otago landscapes stretching as far as the eye can see. Now, a word of warning: this ain't your typical Sunday drive. The road is completely unpaved, and bumpy as anything. We're talking old gold mining track stuff, so a 4WD is an absolute must. We're talking about 19.9 km (12.36 miles) from Nevis to the top! Heads up, this road is usually only open in summer and only when it's dry. The weather here can be super unpredictable, even in summer, so conditions can change in a heartbeat. Plus, you're way out in the boonies, with zero cell service, so getting stuck is a real possibility. Seriously, don't even think about tackling this one solo. You barely see another soul out there. But for views like this? It's hard to find.