The Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Karamea Highway

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

Karamea Highway

Is the Road to Karamea Sealed?

Part of the NZ67 road, the road is fully paved. It’s 53 km (33 miles) long and offers rich scenery with charming little towns along the way.

Where Does the Road to Karamea Start and End?

The road, also known as the Heritage Highway, runs south-north from Mokihinui (on the Tasman Sea coastline, north of Westport) to Karamea, the northernmost settlement of any real size on the West Coast.

How Challenging is the Road to Karamea?

The road is not easy, as it features about 70 bends. The drive offers plenty of twists and turns to keep drivers alert as they journey through beautiful sub-tropical rainforests. A long stretch along the coast eventually opens up stunning views for miles out to the Tasman Sea.

Is the Road to Karamea Worth the Drive?

The drive is alive with beautiful scenery, quirky little coal-mining towns, and locations worthy of an entire feature in National Geographic. Visit during the height of summer, and you’ll be rewarded with views of the rata trees in full bloom. The first rule to know about this scenic journey is that the drive is almost as enjoyable as the destination.

 

 

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