Why is it called Fairfield-Leopold Downs Road?
Australia, oceania
125 km
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Cruising through Western Australia's Kimberley region? You've GOT to check out the Fairfield-Leopold Downs Road! This track is named after the Fairfield and Leopold Downs cattle stations it winds through on its way to the Gibb River Road.
Clocking in at 125 km (77 miles) between the Derby Gibb River Road and the Great Northern Highway, this unsealed road is an adventure in itself. While some brave souls might tow caravans during the dry season, a 4WD is definitely your best bet. Watch out for dips and washouts along the way! It's mostly flat, with inclines topping out around 3%.
Now, let's be real: this isn't a highway. Expect dust, potholes, and creek crossings. The stretch from Windjana to Tunnel Creek is particularly dusty (and popular with tour groups), plus expect heavy corrugations, and it's totally impassable during the wet season.
For the best experience, aim to hit this road between May and September. You'll be passing through Tunnel Creek National Park, and you won't want to miss it!
Road Details
- Country
- Australia
- Continent
- oceania
- Length
- 125 km
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in oceania
moderateStuart Highway
🇦🇺 Australia
# The Stuart Highway: Australia's Epic Red Centre Road Trip Want to experience one of the world's most legendary road journeys? The Stuart Highway stretches a massive 2,834 kilometers from Adelaide's coast all the way up to Darwin in the tropical north, slicing straight through the heart of Australia's stunning red centre. The route honours explorer John McDouall Stuart, who first made the epic south-to-north crossing back in 1862—and honestly, this highway is every bit as thrilling today. What makes this drive truly special is the constantly shifting scenery. You'll cruise through South Australia's famous Barossa Valley vineyards, then roll into the quirky underground town of Coober Pedy where locals have literally dug homes into the earth to escape the scorching heat. Further north, you can detour to see the magnificent Uluru, then push on to the outback frontier vibe of Alice Springs. The ancient sandstone formations of the Devils Marbles are absolutely mesmerizing. As you head into the northern section, the landscape transforms into lush tropical savanna before you finally hit Darwin's humid, steamy tropics. Fair warning though: between towns, this highway stretches dead straight for hundreds of kilometers through empty red desert. It's breathtaking but also relentless—the monotony and heat can really test your endurance, so come prepared and don't underestimate just how remote some stretches are.
moderateThe journey is the destination along the Dargo High Plains Road
🇦🇺 Australia
Get ready for an Aussie adventure on the legendary Dargo High Plains Road in Victoria! Nestled in the southeast of Australia, this road is your gateway to the Alpine National Park. Spanning 70km, this route connects the Great Alpine Road to the charming town of Dargo, about 348 km east of Melbourne. Be warned, though - winter brings heavy snow, so it's usually closed from early June to late October. And if you're towing a caravan, this isn't the road for you, thanks to some seriously steep and twisty sections! The road surface is a mixed bag - about 25km of smooth sealed road from the south, followed by roughly 45km of gravel and cobbles, and then a final kilometer of bitumen leading to the Great Alpine Road. While 2WDs can handle it, expect some rough, dusty patches and slippery conditions after rain. Reaching a lofty 1,628m above sea level, Dargo High Plains Road offers some incredible views and bursts of spring wildflowers. Set aside about three hours for the drive, and definitely aim for daylight hours. Night driving isn't recommended. This is a maintained road, but keep your wits about you! Cattle roam freely, even on the paved sections, so drive slow. Logging trucks can cause damage, and there are some steep, slippery climbs. Basically, just drive to the conditions, and you’ll be fine.
hardDriving the remote Gary Highway in the Gibson Desert
🇦🇺 Australia
Okay, picture this: the Gary Highway, smack-dab in remote Western Australia. This isn't your Sunday drive kinda road, folks. We're talking seriously unsealed, 4x4 territory only! Think corrugated dirt track stretching 323km (201 miles) through the ridiculously arid Gibson and Great Sandy Deserts. Len Beadell carved this bad boy out back in '63, and it runs roughly south-to-north, connecting the Gunbarrel Highway near Everard Junction to the Gary Junction Road at, you guessed it, Gary Junction. Most of it is straight as an arrow, except for a fun little wiggle around some sand dunes. The scenery is harsh but epic in its own way. Seriously, though, vehicle prep and careful planning are crucial here. You're out in the middle of nowhere!
hardA Most Tricky Scenic Drive to Remutaka Pass in NZ
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Okay, fellow road trippers, let me tell you about Remutaka Pass! Up here on New Zealand's North Island, just north of Wellington, you'll find this beauty sitting pretty at 556 meters (that's 1,824 feet for my imperial friends). Officially christened Remutaka Pass (gotta love that correct Māori spelling!), this route, also called Remutaka Hill, is a fave among Kiwi motorcyclists. Hop on State Highway 2 (Rimutaka Hill Road) for a fully paved, west-to-east adventure stretching 31 kilometers (almost 20 miles) between Upper Hutt and Featherston. Get ready for some seriously winding and steep sections; we're talking gradients hitting a whopping 21%! At the top, there's a parking lot with a lookout – a short, steep scramble away. The 360-degree views are insane (if the weather plays nice, that is!). It's a perfect pit stop overlooking the Hutt Valley on one side and Featherston on the other. Now, a heads-up: this isn't always a smooth ride. Perched high in the Remutaka Range, this road can throw all sorts of weather your way. Think frequent closures, slips, strong winds, and torrential rain. Winter can bring mist, snow, and more landslips. Keep an eye out for those wind gusts, especially on the exposed higher sections, and be aware that traffic can be heavy sometimes!