What are the most spectacular roads in New Zealand?

Located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, New Zealand is an island country that comprises two main landmasses: the North Island and the South Island, with around 700 smaller islands. Similar in size to Italy or Japan, it covers an area of 268,680 km2 (103,740 sq mi).

Due to its geography, with mountain ranges, fjords, volcanic plateaus, and coastal plains, it features some of the most spectacular roads in the world. When traveling to New Zealand, you can not miss driving Skippers Canyon Road. Tucked away in the southwest of the South Island, it is now one of New Zealand's better-known scenic roads and is unbelievably scary, being extremely narrow and difficult to maneuver.

For those who prefer scenic drives, the Forgotten World Highway is one of the world's top drives. It’s also worth driving the scenic Crown Range Road, an exhilarating road with hairpin bends, serpentines, and steep grades on the South Island. And if you prefer mountain roads, you can not skip the sensational road to the Remarkables in Queenstown, a ski resort at 1,622m (5,321ft) above sea level. And do not forget to check out our content about the highest roads in the country, where altitude and adventure pose a breathtaking challenge.

Mount Dobson is a ski resort at an elevation of 1,748m (5,734 ft) above sea level located in the Mackenzie region of the South Island in New Zealand. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Mount Olympus is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.643m (5,360ft) above sea level located on New Zealand's South Island. The road to the summit is best negotiated by a high-clearance 4WD that can be equipped with chains if required. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Island Saddle is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.371m (4,498ft) above sea level located in New Zealand. At this elevation, it’s said to be New Zealand's highest public road.

Ōhau Snow Fields is a ski resort at an elevation of 1.469m (4,819ft) above sea level located in the Mackenzie High Country, not far from the Mt Cook region on the South Island of New Zealand.

Otaki Gorge Road is a very scenic yet challenging drive following the Otaki River, in the Kapiti Coast District of the North Island of New Zealand. The drive has a history of slips and road damage in heavy rain events.

Wards Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.145m (3,757ft) above sea level, located in New Zealand's northern South Island. 

Mount Cheeseman is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1,550m (5,085ft) above sea level, located on New Zealand's South Island. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

The Zigzag was part of the old Arthur's Pass road in Arthurs Pass National Park, located in the center of New Zealand's South Island. This section was on State Highway 73 (SH 73), which crosses a mountainous area.

Takarau Gorge is a stunning canyon located in the southern part of Te Ika-a-Māui (North Island), New Zealand. Sections of this road are often closed due to flooding.

Whatipu Beach is a remote black sandy beach located on the wild west coast of the Auckland region of the North Island of New Zealand.

Tasman Valley Road 4X4 Track is a very scenic yet challenging drive located on New Zealand's South Island.

Haast Highway is a breathtaking and scenic drive along the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. It's considered one of the most spectacular coastal drives in the world.

Located on the West Coast of the North Island of New Zealand, the narrow Waikawau Tunnel Beach is used by people for accessing Waikawau Beach.

Pembroke Road is a very scenic drive located in the Taranaki region, on the western coast of New Zealand's North Island. The road is quite steep, with an average gradient of 5.75%.

Old Woman Range is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,739m (5,705ft) above sea level, located in New Zealand’s Otago region. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

 

Karamea Highway is a scenic drive at the northernmost end of the South Island's West Coast of New Zealand.

Waipu Gorge is a scenic gorge located in the Northland Region in the heart of New Zealand's North Island. The road through the gorge provides access to Piroa Falls.

Located in the northern part of the Taranaki region, in New Zealand, the Bertrand Road Swing Bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Duffers Saddle is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,275m (4,183ft) above sea level, located in Central Otago, New Zealand.

Lake Ohau Road is a very scenic drive located in the Ohau Range in the Mackenzie High Country, not far from the Mt Cook region on the South Island of New Zealand. The road features both paved and unpaved sections.

Kiwi Road is a scenic, narrow, and rough track located in northern Taranaki, on the North Island of New Zealand.

Remutaka Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 556m (1,824ft) above sea level, located in New Zealand's North Island. The road is well known to NZ motorcyclists.

The South Island, also known as Te Waipounamu, offers some of the New Zealand’s most beautiful coastal drives. The island hosts the purest natural landscapes you’ll ever experience. There are lots of places to stop, little hidden bays and places to take in the scenery. From wildlife to wineries, from glacial valleys to star-filled skies, nature's best flourishes against a palette of dramatic scenes.

Aramoana Road is a very scenic coastal drive located on the South Island of New Zealand. It's one of the most beautiful coastal drives in the world.

Cardrona Alpine Resort is a ski resort at an elevation of 1.660m (5,446ft) above the sea level, located in the heart of the South Island of New Zealand. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Pomarangai Road is a very scenic drive running through the Whareorino Forest, in the western King Country of New Zealand.

Obelisk/Kopuwai is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.687m (5,534ft) above the sea level, located on the Old Man Range, in the Otago region of New Zealand. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

The Kaitawa Bridge is located in the Manawatū Region, on the North Island of New Zealand. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Lake Road is an amazing unsealed road located in the North Island of New Zealand. The road leads to the Lake Waikaremoana, in the heart of Tuhoe country.

Harington Point Road is a coastal drive located at the northeastern end of Otago Peninsula, in New Zealand's South Island.

Located in the Waikato region of New Zealand’s North Island, Whaanga Coast Road is a rugged, rocky, gravel road that has become a legend.

Tapotupotu Beach is an unspoilt beach located the Aupouri Peninsula, at the northern end of the North Island of New Zealand.

Located in the north east of the South Island of New Zealand, the Sawcut Gorge is a lovely place to be on a hot day, with excellent swimming holes and towering rock faces.

Henderson Bay Road is a short metal road connecting Henderson Bay to the State Highway 1. This very quiet little road is 6km long and is located north of Kaitaia, the northern most city in New Zealand.

Located in the Otago region of the South Island of New Zealand, at an elevation of 1.648m (5,406ft) above the sea level, Cardrona Alpine Resort is one of most popular ski resorts of the country.

The Omarama Clay Cliffs are silt and gravel pinnacle formations near the southern end of the Mackenzie Basin, in the South Island of New Zealand. The road is bumpy, drive slowly and avoid holes!

Drive Us to Your Road!

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