The scenic Crown Range Road in NZ is often covered in snow
New Zealand, oceania
50 km
1,079 m
extreme
Year-round
Get ready for an unforgettable ride on the Crown Range Road in New Zealand's South Island! This baby is a wild one, packed with hairpin turns, switchbacks, and seriously steep climbs.
Formerly known as State Highway 89, this 50km (31-mile) stretch connects Arrow Junction to the charming town of Wanaka, nestled on the lake's edge. It got a full makeover in 2001 with a smooth seal.
Now, don't underestimate this road; it's a real rollercoaster! It can be a bit of a white-knuckle drive, especially for those who aren't fond of heights. Some of those bends are proper hairpins, and the drop-offs can feel like they lead to nowhere.
If you're a newbie driver, maybe skip this one. It's not ideal for towing or anything longer than 12 meters.
Reaching a dizzying 1,079m (3,540ft) at the Crown Range summit, it's one of the highest roads in the country.
Heads up: winter (May-October) can be tricky. Snow's pretty common up top, so drive carefully and keep snow chains handy. Ice and snow can make things extra challenging.
But here's the reward: the views are insane! Mountains as far as the eye can see, and vistas that'll take your breath away around every corner. Seriously, plan to stop often and soak it all in. Queenstown looks amazing from up here. The descent into the alpine valley is pure magic, especially in the late afternoon.
Allow about 1.5 hours to drive it straight through, but trust me, you'll want to stop. The road can get busy, so be patient and enjoy the ride!
Where is it?
The scenic Crown Range Road in NZ is often covered in snow is located in New Zealand (oceania). Coordinates: -40.7727, 175.4493
Road Details
- Country
- New Zealand
- Continent
- oceania
- Length
- 50 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,079 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- -40.7727, 175.4493
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