Omarama Clay Cliffs

Omarama Clay Cliffs

New Zealand, oceania

Length

N/A

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the South Island of New Zealand, Mackenzie Basin to be exact, and you're itching for something otherworldly. Look no further than the Omarama Clay Cliffs!

The road to get there? Let's just say it adds to the adventure. It's a gravel road, so buckle up for a bumpy ride! We're talking a maintained gravel road where most 2WDs with decent clearance can make it if you take it slow and steady. Watch out for potholes and dust! Trust me, these crazy silt and gravel pinnacles are worth the dusty trek. It's a private road, so you'll need to toss a few bucks ($5 per vehicle) into the donation box at the gate to help with upkeep. Heads up: the road gets gnarlier beyond the cliffs, turning into a 4x4-only track real quick. But, for the main attraction? Totally doable and totally unforgettable!

Where is it?

Omarama Clay Cliffs is located in New Zealand (oceania). Coordinates: -41.4439, 175.1534

Share this road

Road Details

Country
New Zealand
Continent
oceania
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
-41.4439, 175.1534

Related Roads in oceania

Stuart Highwaymoderate

Stuart Highway

🇦🇺 Australia

# The Stuart Highway: Australia's Epic Red Centre Road Trip Want to experience one of the world's most legendary road journeys? The Stuart Highway stretches a massive 2,834 kilometers from Adelaide's coast all the way up to Darwin in the tropical north, slicing straight through the heart of Australia's stunning red centre. The route honours explorer John McDouall Stuart, who first made the epic south-to-north crossing back in 1862—and honestly, this highway is every bit as thrilling today. What makes this drive truly special is the constantly shifting scenery. You'll cruise through South Australia's famous Barossa Valley vineyards, then roll into the quirky underground town of Coober Pedy where locals have literally dug homes into the earth to escape the scorching heat. Further north, you can detour to see the magnificent Uluru, then push on to the outback frontier vibe of Alice Springs. The ancient sandstone formations of the Devils Marbles are absolutely mesmerizing. As you head into the northern section, the landscape transforms into lush tropical savanna before you finally hit Darwin's humid, steamy tropics. Fair warning though: between towns, this highway stretches dead straight for hundreds of kilometers through empty red desert. It's breathtaking but also relentless—the monotony and heat can really test your endurance, so come prepared and don't underestimate just how remote some stretches are.

Milford Roadmoderate

Milford Road

🇳🇿 New Zealand

# The Milford Road: New Zealand's Most Spectacular Drive The Milford Road (State Highway 94) is a jaw-dropping 119-kilometer journey through New Zealand's South Island that connects the town of Te Anau with the legendary Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park. This isn't just any scenic drive—it's a passage through some of the country's most untouched wilderness, weaving past ancient beech forests, crystal-clear lakes that look like mirrors, and ultimately leading to one of the most dramatic natural wonders you'll ever see. The real showstopper? The Homer Tunnel. This incredible 1.2-kilometer engineering feat was hand-carved through solid granite between 1935 and 1954—yes, that's nearly two decades of manual labor with minimal machinery. The tunnel drops at a steep 1-in-10 gradient and gets controlled by traffic lights, so you'll alternate directions with oncoming traffic. When you emerge on the western side, you're greeted by the absolutely stunning Cleddau Valley, with sheer rock walls and thundering waterfalls on either side. Honestly, this section alone might be the most breathtaking stretch of road in the entire Southern Hemisphere. Along the way, you'll pass some genuinely cool stops. Mirror Lakes live up to their name with perfectly still reflections of the surrounding peaks. Then there's the Avenue of the Disappearing Mountain—an optical illusion that'll mess with your head as the mountain ahead appears to shrink as you get closer. The Chasm is another must-see, where the Cleddau River has carved out some seriously impressive rock formations. Fair warning: winter avalanche risk and heavy rainfall can shut this road down unexpectedly. Fiordland gets absolutely drenched with an average of 6,813 millimeters of rain annually, which means you might witness hundreds of temporary waterfalls cascading down the cliffs after a storm rolls through.

The narrow Haast River Bridge of NZmoderate

The narrow Haast River Bridge of NZ

🇳🇿 New Zealand

Okay, picture this: you're cruising down the South Island's West Coast in New Zealand, and BAM! You hit the Haast River Bridge. Forget boring bridges; this one's a showstopper! We're talking a seriously long, one-lane bridge stretching 750 meters across the wild Haast River. Yeah, one lane, so you might have to wait your turn, but trust me, the views are worth it. You're smack-dab on State Highway 6, so it's not exactly off the beaten path, but it feels like it. Get ready for epic scenery, keep your eyes peeled, and drive safe!

Road trip guide: Conquering the Jim Jim Fallshard

Road trip guide: Conquering the Jim Jim Falls

🇦🇺 Australia

Okay, buckle up, adventure awaits! You're heading to Jim Jim Falls, a mind-blowing 200-meter waterfall tucked away in the Northern Territory's Kakadu National Park, Australia. First things first: this ain't no Sunday drive. Jim Jim Road, which leads you there, starts off pretty chill, getting you to the camping area no problem. But then, things get real. The last 10 kilometers transforms into a 4WD-only playground (or challenge, depending on your perspective!). Think single-lane track, soft sand that wants to swallow your tires, and corrugations that'll give your fillings a run for their money. Seriously, check your rental agreement – some companies aren’t fans of this kind of fun. The whole track is 57.2 km (35.54 miles) long, peeling off of the main Kakadu Highway (State Route 21). Allow around two hours for the drive – you won’t be setting any speed records. And remember, this adventure is only on during the dry season (May to October). The wet season brings flash floods that shut the whole thing down. Now, a word of caution: saltwater crocs call this place home. Swimming is strictly off-limits, unless you fancy becoming a croc's lunch. And those creek crossings? Yeah, they can get deep and fast-flowing. Before you even think about splashing through, check with the Bowali Visitor Centre for water depth info. Sometimes a snorkel is required, and NEVER get out of your car. But, trust me, the views are worth it. Lush landscapes, dramatic scenery, and then BAM – this incredible waterfall. There's plenty of parking once you make it to the end of the road. Just make sure you’re not driving in the dark, and remember to grab a park pass to enter Kakadu National Park. Get ready for an unforgettable Aussie outback experience!