Summit Road is a narrow scenic drive in New Zealand

Summit Road is a narrow scenic drive in New Zealand

New Zealand, oceania

Length

28.2 km

Elevation

500 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Summit Road in Canterbury, New Zealand is calling your name! This isn't just any drive; it's a totally paved 28.2km (17.52 mile) rollercoaster through the Port Hills (Te Poho-o-Tamatea), south of Christchurch, that'll give you views for days!

Built way back in the 30’s, this road snakes along the edges of ancient volcanoes on the Banks Peninsula, climbing to a dizzying 490m (1,607ft). Heads up: it’s narrow and twisty, so keep your eyes peeled for lumbering trucks and wandering campervans.

Be prepared for a thrilling ride with hairpin turns and steep climbs between 300 and 500 meters above sea level. The road was shut down for a bit after those pesky earthquakes in 2010 and 2011 (rockfall risk!), but good news, some sections are open again!

Trust me, the panoramic views of Christchurch and the surrounding landscapes are SO worth the adrenaline rush. Get ready for an unforgettable journey!

Where is it?

Summit Road is a narrow scenic drive in New Zealand is located in New Zealand (oceania). Coordinates: -40.3018, 176.4694

Share this road

Road Details

Country
New Zealand
Continent
oceania
Length
28.2 km
Max Elevation
500 m
Difficulty
moderate
Coordinates
-40.3018, 176.4694

Related Roads in oceania

Bridle Track in NSW is an iconic track for the 4X4 enthusiastsextreme

Bridle Track in NSW is an iconic track for the 4X4 enthusiasts

🇦🇺 Australia

Get ready for an awesome Aussie adventure on the Bridle Track in New South Wales' Central West! This 4WD track is packed with fun, weaving through the stunning Central Tablelands from Duramana to Hill End (that's about 52 km / 32 miles of pure excitement!). It starts as a cute little paved road, then transforms into a dirt track that's generally pretty easy, but watch out for those curves, especially when it's dry – it can get slippery! Dust can be a pain too, so keep your distance from other cars. Rain turns it into a whole new level of slickness, so be careful, even in a 4WD. Heads up: part of the track is closed near Monaghans Bluff due to a landslide from way back in 2010, so you can only go so far from either Bathurst or Hill End. Leave the caravans and camper trailers at home for this one. This track is not for the faint of heart – it's 4WD only, with steep drops, no guardrails, and falling rocks to keep you on your toes. Some spots are so narrow you might have to reverse a good 300m to let someone pass! Creek crossings and flash floods are common, so be super careful around the water, and maybe bring a spare tire. Seriously, don't speed or drive it at night, especially the last 20 km – it's just not worth the risk. If you do make it to Monaghan’s Bluff, drive cautiously with your lights on, since it’s a one lane road with no stopping! If you drive straight through without stopping, it'll take you about 1.75-2 hours, but why rush? There are eight campsites along the way, perfect for camping, fishing, and exploring the area’s cool history. This track was built by convicts back in the 1820s during the gold rush, and it's named the Bridle Track because some parts were so narrow, folks had to lead their horses by the bridle.

Where is the Bertrand Road Swing Bridge?moderate

Where is the Bertrand Road Swing Bridge?

🇳🇿 New Zealand

Okay, picture this: You're exploring the northern part of the Taranaki region on New Zealand's North Island, near Huirangi, Lepperton, and Tikorangi. Suddenly, you come across the Bertrand Road Swing Bridge, a totally unique wooden suspension bridge. Seriously, this thing is historic (it's a Category 2 structure!) and pretty special. So, how long is it? Enough to handle up to two cars and twenty people at a time. Legend has it that back in the day, crossing the river here was a real pain and getting around wasn't easy, so this bridge was built to solve that problem. Over the years, it's had its ups and downs, even shutting down to cars for a while and forcing people to take a longer detour. Luckily, the community rallied together, held fundraisers (including a "buy a plank" thing!), and got some grants to bring it back to its former glory. They even reused some of the original suspension parts! Now it's open again and sees around 150-200 vehicles a day. Definitely a cool spot to check out if you're in the area!

The road to Wards Pass is closed due to snowfalls for long periodsmoderate

The road to Wards Pass is closed due to snowfalls for long periods

🇳🇿 New Zealand

Okay, adventure-seekers, let's talk about Wards Pass! Nestled in the northern part of New Zealand's South Island, this mountain pass sits pretty high at 1,145 meters (3,757 feet). You'll find it snuggled between the upper Acheron and Awatere River valleys. Now, fair warning: the road to the top—Acheron Road, taking you from Blenheim to Hanmer Springs—is completely unpaved. Think gravel, and sometimes loose gravel, especially on the edges, so keep that in mind! Before you set off, double-check with your rental company that you're good to drive here. Most 2WD and AWD cars with decent clearance should be fine. But leave the caravans, buses, and anything over 7 meters long at home. Towing a trailer? You'll need a permit, so get that sorted first. High up in the Rachel Range, part of the Inland Kaikoura Ranges, this road is open during the summer season, usually from 7 am to 7 pm, from October 1st through Easter Monday or the second Sunday in April (whichever is later). Get ready for some amazing scenery!

What are Big Red and Little Red tracks?moderate

What are Big Red and Little Red tracks?

🇦🇺 Australia

Alright, 4WD fanatics, listen up! If you're heading to the Glasshouse Mountains in southeastern Queensland, Australia, you HAVE to check out Big Red and Little Red. These aren't your average dirt tracks; they're legendary! Think you've got what it takes? Big Red and Little Red will put your 4WD skills to the ultimate test. We're talking serious obstacles that demand a capable vehicle, a spotter who knows their stuff, and a driver with serious experience. Big Red is the real beast, but don't underestimate Little Red – it's no walk in the park either. Trust me, photos and videos don't do justice to how intense these tracks can be. Now, a heads-up: these tracks are currently being used as a service road due to recent flattening and bulldozing for powerline maintenance. Rollovers are super common out here, so come prepared. You'll need low range gearing, high ground clearance, traction aids, and all the recovery gear you can carry. Even lifted rigs with mud tires can struggle, especially when things get muddy – which they often do! Basically, come ready to use your recovery gear...a lot. But hey, that's half the fun, right? Get out there and see if you can conquer these iconic tracks!