Driving the scenic Tasman Valley Road in NZ
Tasman Valley Road is a very scenic curvy but fairly paved drive located on New Zealand's South Island, that takes you out to Tasman Glacier.
Is Tasman Valley Road in NZ paved?
Tucked away in the Mt Cook National Park, the road was fully paved in 2014. It leads to Wakefield Falls, one of the tallest and most attractive waterfalls in the Mt Cook National Park, the Tasman Glacier Viewpoint and the Lake Tasman. A side trip to the Blue Lakes offers good swimming in summer and a chance to see New Zealand smallest bird, the ever-chirpy rifleman.
How long is Tasman Valley Road in NZ?
The road, once a humble gravel path, is 7.1 km (4.41 miles) long starting at State Highway 80 (Mount Cook Road) to the south of Aoraki / Mount Cook. At the end of the road there’s a parking lot with some table for a picnic and toilets. Beyond the car park, is a rough track which you not want to use with a car, the Tasman Valley Road 4X4 Track.
Is Tasman Valley Road open?
Expect rapidly changing weather. Both night time and daytime temperatures can plummet without warning, make sure you are well prepared with the correct gear. The road is usually open all year unless heavy snow causes it to close for safety reasons. Snow is often a regular occurrence in winter. Sandflies can be present in low numbers, insect repellent is recommended.
How long does it take to drive the scenic Tasman Valley Road in NZ?
To drive the road without stopping will take most people between 15 and 25 minutes. The road attracts about 60,000 visitors a year and offers stunning views of the 27 km Tasman glacier, the longest in New Zealand.
Pic: Ben Campbell