
Where is Lake Road?
New Zealand, oceania
N/A
N/A
moderate
Year-round
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!
Road Details
- Country
- New Zealand
- Continent
- oceania
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in oceania
moderateAirlie Beach
🇦🇺 Australia
Okay, picture this: a massive 1,300 km stretch between Townsville and Brisbane, just begging for a road trip! Trust me, you'll want at least two days to soak it all in – maybe even longer if you can swing it. First stop, Airlie Beach! This place is tourist-ready for a reason: it's your gateway to the Whitsunday Islands. Think unbelievable scenery. Seriously, budget a couple of days here. Next up, Rockhampton, roughly halfway between Townsville and Brisbane. Perfect for a driving break and a dose of history. This city boomed during the gold rush, making it one of the oldest around. Plus, it's the "beef capital" of Australia, which explains the impressive Victorian architecture funded by, you guessed it, cattle! Don't miss the Rockhampton Botanic Gardens for a leg-stretch. Okay, Bundaberg requires a little detour, but hear me out. Anytime of year is fun: Rum distillery, anyone? And Mon Repos Conservation Park is stunning. But if you hit it during turtle season (November to March), you’re in for a treat! Sea turtles lay eggs, and later, tiny hatchlings make their mad dash to the ocean. So yeah, Townsville to Brisbane? Slow it down and make some memories. You won't regret it.
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.
hardHow long is the Googs Track?
🇦🇺 Australia
Craving a Simpson Desert-lite adventure? Then Googs Track in South Australia is calling your name! This sandy, one-lane track stretches 186 km (115 miles) through a stunning, arid landscape from Ceduna up to the Transcontinental Railway Line near Tarcoola. Be prepared to tackle over 300 dunes, some towering up to 25 metres, as you wind through the Yumbarra Conservation Park and Yellabinna Regional Reserve. This baby can get rough, with serious corrugations and soft, sandy dune approaches. Definitely need a high-clearance 4x4 and some sand driving skills to conquer this beast! Leave the caravan at home, towing anything is generally not recommended here. Googs Track gets its name from John (Goog) Denton, the legendary egg seller who carved this route out in 1973 to help out the local farmers. Allow at least a day to soak in the whole experience. The scenery is incredible, and you might even spot some rare wildlife. This is a super remote area, so packing plenty of food, water, and fuel is crucial, and definitely bring a satellite phone. The cooler months are the perfect time to visit, so avoid the scorching summer heat. And remember to tune into UHF channel 18 to chat with other adventurers on the track!
moderateOodnadatta Track is one of the best outback drives in Australia
🇦🇺 Australia
Okay, picture this: the Oodnadatta Track (OT), a legendary dirt road slicing through the heart of South Australia. This isn't just a drive; it's an outback adventure that stretches 622km (386 miles), linking Marree (at the tail end of the Birdsville Track) to the Stuart Highway at Marla. Think of it as a raw, authentic alternative if you're headed to or from the Northern Territory. Most vehicles *can* handle it when it's dry, even some caravans. But a 4x4? That's your chariot of choice for comfort and a must if there's been rain. It's generally well-maintained, but Mother Nature likes to throw in surprises: washouts, soft sandy spots, potholes, and those teeth-rattling corrugations – especially between William Creek and Oodnadatta. You'll also be fording creeks and rivers, usually dry, thankfully. Hit this road between April and October for the sweet spot. November to March? Prepare for serious heat. Allocate 11-13 hours of driving time if you're doing it non-stop, cruising at a comfy 60-80 km/h. But the real draw? The scenery! This track follows ancient Aboriginal trade routes and serves up incredible semi-desert landscapes. You'll skirt the southern edge of Lake Eyre National Park, pass through quirky outback towns like William Creek and Oodnadatta, and be treated to breathtaking views. Keep an eye out for the relics of old railway sidings and Overland Telegraph stations – Coward Springs Campground, with its natural artesian spa, and Curdimurka are standouts. Plus, you'll see those amazing springs, bubbling up from the Great Artesian Basin, all along the way.