Take the Scenic Alpine Way and Discover Dead Horse Gap
Australia, oceania
123 km
1,597 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for Dead Horse Gap! Nestled in the gorgeous New South Wales, Australia, this mountain pass tops out at a cool 1,597m (5,239ft). You'll find it snuggled within Kosciuszko National Park, part of the stunning Victorian Alps high country.
This beauty is part of the Kosciuszko Alpine Way, and it's a smooth ride all the way, thanks to being fully paved. This east-west route stretches for 123km (76.4 miles), linking Jindabyne to the New South Wales/Victorian border.
Generally, you can cruise this road year-round. Heads up though: winter can bring closures due to wild weather. Speaking of winter, if you're rolling in a two-wheel-drive between the June and October long weekends, snow chains are a must between Thredbo and Tom Groggin.
Be prepared for some steep climbs, with gradients hitting a max of 13% in spots! There are also some tight squeezes and seriously steep sections between Khancoban and Thredbo. Big rigs and caravans might want to sit this one out.
But all those challenges are worth it for the views!
Where is it?
Take the Scenic Alpine Way and Discover Dead Horse Gap is located in Australia (oceania). Coordinates: -24.8247, 132.0117
Road Details
- Country
- Australia
- Continent
- oceania
- Length
- 123 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,597 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- -24.8247, 132.0117
Related Roads in oceania
moderateDriving the terrifying coastal road to Port Jackson in NZ
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Port Jackson is a cute beach town on New Zealand's North Island, famous for its awesome campsite. Getting there is half the fun, with a remote, narrow, winding gravel road that's easily one of the most scenic drives ever! You'll find Port Jackson tucked away at the very northern tip of the Coromandel Peninsula, right on the beach. The road, simply called Port Jackson Road, is completely unpaved right at the water's edge. It stretches for about 26 km from Colville Road to Port Jackson, a gorgeous, bumpy ride without those annoying washboard corrugations. Heads up, though: you'll be hugging some serious drop-offs with massive cliffs and zero guardrails, so if you get vertigo easily, maybe keep your eyes on the road! There are also super narrow spots, so drive slow and hope you don't meet anyone coming the other way. The road took a beating in some recent storms, and while it's been patched up, expect some one-way sections and compromised areas. A reliable 4WD is your best bet for this drive. Take it easy, and if you're towing anything, be prepared to reverse a bit if you meet another vehicle. Seriously, you might encounter some bigger rigs than yours. The drive is all about those stunning coastal views! If heights aren't your thing, just focus on the road ahead. You'll have lush, hilly landscapes on one side and the wild ocean on the other. Think incredible beaches and endless outdoor adventures. Allow around an hour for the drive without stops. It's pretty chill in winter, but during summer (especially mid-December to mid-January), it gets crazy busy with campervans, trucks, and boat-towing vehicles. Be extra careful, and if you're a new driver, maybe skip it during the Christmas holidays. An early start is always a good idea to beat the crowds.
hardTanami Road is one of Australia's great outback adventure tracks
🇦🇺 Australia
The Tanami Road: where Central Australia meets North West Western Australia in a blaze of desert glory! This is the most direct shot from just north of Alice Springs to Halls Creek in the Kimberley, cutting right through the heart of the Tanami Desert. Clocking in at 1,013 km (629 miles), this track – also known as the Tanami Track or Highway, or McGuire Track – stretches from the Great Northern Highway near Halls Creek to the Stuart Highway close to Alice Springs. Picture this: you're traversing the vast Tanami Desert on a road that's generally in decent nick (maintained until the NT border). Just be warned, it's a seriously isolated route and often closes during the wet season. Rain can wreak havoc, especially near the Kimberley end. While about 20% of the road is sealed, the rest is a mix of dirt, gravel, and sand, with some nasty bull dust holes, mega corrugations, and creek beds filled with sharp gravel. While a two-wheel-drive *can* manage, a four-wheel drive is highly recommended. But let's talk scenery! This route delivers amazing desert landscapes. Set aside about two days to soak it all in, with plenty of time for photo stops. You'll be sharing the road with road trains, 4WD adventurers, holidaymakers, and retirees all chasing a taste of the outback and a slice of Aussie history from the gold rush days. Keep an eye on the weather, as rain can shut down sections of the road quickly. And remember, desert storms can turn the track into a muddy mess in minutes, or worse, wash it away completely! Dust storms can be blinding, too. Corrugations can be brutal, making for a slow and bumpy ride. Pack plenty of fuel, food, and water, as roadhouses can be unreliable. This is seriously remote country with limited services: the longest stretch without fuel is a hefty 600km! Water sources along the way aren't drinkable, so pack enough H2O for the entire trip. Driving the Tanami requires patience, experience, and some serious 4WD skills. Be prepared for no food or fuel for 360 miles with temperatures up to 45°C. Caravans and trailers? Probably not the best idea.
easyWhere is Hamersley Drive?
🇦🇺 Australia
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the south coast of Western Australia in Fitzgerald River National Park - one of the biggest parks in WA! You're on Hamersley Drive, a scenic trail stretching about 65 km (or 40 miles for you imperial folks) from Hopetoun up to the South Coast Highway. The southern bit is smooth sailing on paved roads, winding along some truly gorgeous coastline. BUT, hold on tight when you get to the northern section—it turns to dirt! Road conditions can change, and closures happen, so be prepared. You'll be treated to dramatic coastal views the whole way!
hardThe road to Mount Useful, pure adventure
🇦🇺 Australia
Okay, picture this: Mount Useful, rising to a cool 1,436 meters in Victoria's Gippsland region. You'll find it tucked away in the Mount Useful Natural Features and Scenic Reserve. Heads up, the road to the top is unpaved. But trust me, it’s worth it for the views. Once you're up there by the fire and communications towers, you can see all the way to Bairnsdale and Lake King, like 100 km away! The road's a bit of a goat track in places. It's narrow, and there are a few spots where it kicks up pretty steeply. The climb from Springs Road is only about 750 meters, with a 40-meter elevation gain. So it's not too bad, and generally open all year, though it might be temporarily closed during winter if the weather turns nasty.