Travelling through the unpaved The Basin-Olinda Road in Victoria
Australia, oceania
6.7 km
175 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: Basin-Olinda Road, a totally gorgeous dirt road snaking through the Dandenong Ranges, just southeast of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
It’s about 6.7 km (4.16 miles) of pure Aussie bush, climbing from the little town of The Basin (elevation: 175m) all the way up to Olinda, perched way up high at 507m. That's a climb of 332 vertical meters!
The average grade is around 5%, but be warned: there are some seriously steep sections kicking up to 10.5% – definitely a workout for your vehicle!
Keep an eye out, though, this track is unpaved for most of its length (only the start and finish are sealed), and it can cop a beating from storms, so conditions can change. But trust me, the views are totally worth it!
Where is it?
Travelling through the unpaved The Basin-Olinda Road in Victoria is located in Australia (oceania). Coordinates: -23.2255, 133.8601
Road Details
- Country
- Australia
- Continent
- oceania
- Length
- 6.7 km
- Max Elevation
- 175 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- -23.2255, 133.8601
Related Roads in oceania
moderateWhere 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!
extremeCan you drive to the Remarkables?
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Cruising up to the Remarkables ski resort is an absolute must-do if you're in Otago, South Island, New Zealand! This isn't your average drive; you're heading way up to 1,622m (that's over 5,300 feet!). Starting just south of Queenstown and Frankton where Remarkables Road peels off from State Highway 6. It's about 13 km (8 miles) to the resort. The road even climbs to 1,844m (6,049ft) via a service road! Okay, so it used to be known for being a bit wild, but they've added a bunch of safety rails, so it's much tamer now. The first 10km are sealed smooth, and the last 3km are gravel but usually in good shape. Get ready for steep climbs and hairpin turns where you'll want to drop it into low gear. We're talking a maximum gradient of 15% in spots! You'll gain 1296 meters in elevation, with an average grade of almost 10%. The road’s generally open all year, but after a good snow, it can get pretty slick. Definitely check if you need chains, especially if you're not in a 4WD. And hey, if you're not feeling confident driving, there are shuttle buses available! Oh, and why the name? Some say it's because it's one of the few ranges that runs perfectly north to south. Others say it's because the sunset views from here are, well, *remarkable*! Trust me, the views are worth it. The whole drive takes about 25 minutes if you don't stop, but you *will* want to stop. Seriously, even from the start, it is breathtaking. There are killer viewpoints around the 4km and 6km marks where you can soak in the views of the lake and where the Shotover and Kawarau Rivers meet. It's pure New Zealand magic!
hardHow long is Duck Creek Road?
🇦🇺 Australia
Okay, picture this: Duck Creek Road, a seriously stunning track snaking along the Queensland/New South Wales border in Australia! Nestled in Lamington National Park, this isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking a full-on unpaved adventure of about 15.6km, linking Kerry Road to Lamington National Park Road. Think easy 4WD trip...with a catch. It gets NARROW in sections, and seriously steep in others! You'll start near Kerry Road at a breezy 143 meters above sea level, climbing all the way to 875 meters. That's a climb of 732 meters! Expect some amazing views to match those climbs. Now, here's the not-so-great news. This beauty is currently closed, and will remain closed until further notice.
hardHow to drive the long Diamantina Developmental Road in Queensland?
🇦🇺 Australia
Okay, buckle up, road trip lovers! The Diamantina Developmental Road in Queensland, Australia is calling your name. This epic trek clocks in at a whopping 1,344 km (835 mi) and connects Charleville in the south-central part of the state all the way to Mount Isa in the northwest. You'll be rolling through charming outback towns like Quilpie, Windorah, Bedourie, Boulia, and Dajarra. Most of the route is smooth sailing on sealed roads, so just about any vehicle can handle it. But be warned: some stretches between Windorah and Boulia are unsealed, adding a touch of off-road adventure. You'll be following State Route 14, State Route 12, and National Route 83. Expect some seriously stunning scenery as you cross iconic rivers and creeks, including the Paroo, Bulloo, Cooper Creek, and the Diamantina River itself. Just keep an eye out – river crossings can get tricky in wild weather. Speaking of weather, be prepared for anything! Pack plenty of water and fuel, watch out for wandering animals, and maybe skip the nighttime driving. Phone reception can be spotty, so planning is key for this Aussie outback escapade. Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime!