The road to Wards Pass is closed due to snowfalls for long periods
New Zealand, oceania
N/A
1,145 m
moderate
Year-round
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!
Where is it?
The road to Wards Pass is closed due to snowfalls for long periods is located in New Zealand (oceania). Coordinates: -40.0487, 173.4821
Road Details
- Country
- New Zealand
- Continent
- oceania
- Max Elevation
- 1,145 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- -40.0487, 173.4821
Related Roads in oceania
moderateWhere is Lake Road?
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Okay, adventure awaits on this epic road in New Zealand's North Island! It's your gateway to the gorgeous Te Urewera National Park and beyond. You'll find this beauty snaking through the northern Hawke's Bay Region, right in the heart of the Te Urewera National Park as part of the Te Urewera Rainforest Route (New Zealand State Highway 38). Good news: most cars can handle it! You'll be cruising along sections of unpaved road, twisting and turning through lush rainforest and cute little rural towns. It's a decent stretch, mind you. Once you pass that one-way bridge over the oh-so-inviting , traffic is pretty light, but stay alert. Because it's a bit out of the way, it's never too crowded. Just remember the entire route twists and turns. It's not scary, but it is not for the faint of heart!
extremeMount Spec Road is a sensational drive in Paluma Range NP
🇦🇺 Australia
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through North Queensland, Australia, on Mount Spec Road. This isn't just any drive; it's an experience! Think hairpin turns and breathtaking vistas as you wind your way up and down the range. This gem of a road, nestled in the Mount Spec ranges, took five years of hard work to build back in the '30s. Can you imagine the effort with limited machinery? Clocking in at just under 22 kilometers, connecting Barrett Road to Ewan Paluma Road, it’s short but sweet. Now, a word of caution: Mount Spec Road keeps you on your toes. We're talking steep inclines – some sections hitting a 15% gradient! Plus, it's narrow, and those edges? Railings are optional! It's a windy road, and if you're in a bus or campervan, take it slow and steady. Being inside Paluma Range National Park, keep an eye out for seasonal closures. Flooding in the wet season is common, and sometimes fires shut things down in the dry season. Oh, and you absolutely *have* to stop at the Crystal Creek bridge, built in 1933. It’s an arch bridge, still in use, and one of a kind in Queensland. Seriously, this road and that bridge are so special, they're officially recognized as Queensland Heritage sites!
hardWhy is Allison Road famous?
🌍 Tasmania
Okay, picture this: Allison Road, snaking through the quiet countryside near Devonport in Tasmania’s North West. Seems innocent enough, right? Wrong! This little stretch has a seriously spooky rep, whispered about by locals for decades. It all started back in 1921 when poor Chrissie Venn, just 13 years old, vanished on her way to run errands. Days later, they found her… in a tree stump. Gruesome, right? The case was never solved, and now, legend has it, her spirit is still hanging around. So, what can you expect if you dare to drive Allison Road? People talk about seeing a ghostly girl by the roadside, weird lights tailing their cars, and engines mysteriously cutting out near this one spot called "The Dip." Some even swear they've picked up a hitchhiker who vanishes into thin air! And it's not just visual stuff. Think your GPS is reliable? Not on Allison Road. People have reported them going haywire, along with headlights flickering and cars getting unexplained scratches. It's like the road itself is messing with you! There's even a local tradition, a sort of dare, to walk around the tree stump where Chrissie was found at midnight. Talk about a test of courage! One guy even told a story about buying a used car and driving it home at night, only to get completely lost and have his check engine light come on out of nowhere near "The Dip." The light went off and he found his way as soon as he cleared the area. Creepy, right? Whether it’s true hauntings or just collective imagination running wild, Allison Road has definitely earned its place in Tasmanian folklore as one of the scariest drives around. Are you brave enough to uncover its secrets?
extremeMilford Road is a truly epic road in New Zealand
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Get ready for the Milford Road, an absolutely stunning drive slicing through South West New Zealand from Te Anau to Milford Sound! This paved beauty, part of State Highway 94, carves its way for 118km through Fiordland National Park, a chunk of the Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Area. Seriously, this is wilderness on steroids. Construction took ages, starting in 1929 during the Great Depression and finally wrapping up in 1953 (with a little break for WWII). Budget about 1.5 to 2 hours for the drive, but pro tip: triple that. You'll be stopping every five minutes to gawk! Think Mirror Lakes perfectly reflecting the Earl Mountains, the cascading waterfalls of the Cleddau River, and the mind-bending Avenue of the Disappearing Mountain. Lord of the Rings vibes are strong here, with mighty cliffs, snow-capped peaks, and fern trees doing their gravity-defying thing. This is the *only* road to Milford Sound, a must-see. Don't miss the Homer Tunnel, a 1,270-meter-long feat of engineering carved straight through solid granite! Clocking in at 940 meters above sea level at its highest point, this is one of the highest highways in New Zealand. Winter can be wild, with snow a real possibility. Chains are a must between June and November (and legally required!). Even in summer, snow can fall on the higher parts. Avalanches can be a threat in winter, too. This is remote territory, so fill up the gas tank in Te Anau (limited fuel is available at Gunns Camp and Milford Sound). Keep your wits about you, as the injury crash rates are a bit higher than average in New Zealand. Landslips, treefalls, and washouts can happen anytime, causing closures. Flooding can also happen, especially near rivers.