Is Tasman Valley Road in NZ paved?
New Zealand, oceania
7.1 km
N/A
easy
Year-round
Okay, picture this: You're cruising through the South Island of New Zealand, heading towards the majestic Tasman Glacier. You turn off State Highway 80 onto Tasman Valley Road, and bam! You're on a smooth, paved ribbon of road that winds its way for about 7 km (a little over 4 miles) into pure scenic bliss.
This used to be a gravel track, but they paved it back in 2014, so it's a comfy ride. It'll probably take you between 15 and 25 minutes to drive, if you don't stop, but who wouldn't? You'll be wanting to stop and soak it all in. The road leads to killer viewpoints like Wakefield Falls, which is a real showstopper, and Lake Tasman.
Keep an eye out for the Blue Lakes – perfect for a summer dip – and maybe even spot a rifleman, New Zealand's tiniest bird. At the end of the road, there's a parking lot with picnic tables and restrooms. Beyond the car park is a rough 4X4 track.
Heads up: the weather here can flip on you FAST. Even if it's sunny, be prepared for sudden temperature drops, especially at night. Snow's pretty common in winter, and the road sometimes closes because of it. And, the sandflies might pay you a visit, so pack some bug spray, just in case. You'll be treated to mind-blowing views of the 27 km Tasman Glacier, NZ's longest. Trust me, this drive is worth every second.
Road Details
- Country
- New Zealand
- Continent
- oceania
- Length
- 7.1 km
- Difficulty
- easy
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