Great driving roads in NZ
Discussion
Done a couple of those, they are great scenic drives.
If you want one that's more of a driving challenge, (and it's not that far away from me) try the short sharp tricky SH2 over the Rimutakas between Upper Hutt and Featherston. It's only about 15Kms or so, but it's a true challenge to do quickly, especially for overtaking trucks etc. Some nasty blind corners, hairpins, reverse cambers, regular rockfalls, logging trucks, traffic, it has the lot.
It's actually quite scenic too, but that's secondary to its challenge.
If you want one that's more of a driving challenge, (and it's not that far away from me) try the short sharp tricky SH2 over the Rimutakas between Upper Hutt and Featherston. It's only about 15Kms or so, but it's a true challenge to do quickly, especially for overtaking trucks etc. Some nasty blind corners, hairpins, reverse cambers, regular rockfalls, logging trucks, traffic, it has the lot.
It's actually quite scenic too, but that's secondary to its challenge.
RCK974X said:
Done a couple of those, they are great scenic drives.
If you want one that's more of a driving challenge, (and it's not that far away from me) try the short sharp tricky SH2 over the Rimutakas between Upper Hutt and Featherston. It's only about 15Kms or so, but it's a true challenge to do quickly, especially for overtaking trucks etc. Some nasty blind corners, hairpins, reverse cambers, regular rockfalls, logging trucks, traffic, it has the lot.
It's actually quite scenic too, but that's secondary to its challenge.
Did that one as a passenger in Mark's Elise Xmas 2010 and did it myself this time. As you say, great drive. OH said the German hitch-hiker in the back said he really enjoyed it!If you want one that's more of a driving challenge, (and it's not that far away from me) try the short sharp tricky SH2 over the Rimutakas between Upper Hutt and Featherston. It's only about 15Kms or so, but it's a true challenge to do quickly, especially for overtaking trucks etc. Some nasty blind corners, hairpins, reverse cambers, regular rockfalls, logging trucks, traffic, it has the lot.
It's actually quite scenic too, but that's secondary to its challenge.
Arthurs Pass - does it still have that bit where the rocks are almost overhanging into the road? Haven't been over there in a while, but that too is very scenic in some spots.
Let's face it though, there's MASSES of places which are bloody fantastic scenery, and many with a driving challenge tacked on as well....both South and North Islands
I still talk to some of my old UK workmates, I told them that the Lord of the Rings scenery was all real apart from the end Mt Doom part, and they were (and are) suitably impressed....
Let's face it though, there's MASSES of places which are bloody fantastic scenery, and many with a driving challenge tacked on as well....both South and North Islands
I still talk to some of my old UK workmates, I told them that the Lord of the Rings scenery was all real apart from the end Mt Doom part, and they were (and are) suitably impressed....
RCK974X said:
Arthurs Pass - does it still have that bit where the rocks are almost overhanging into the road?
.
If you mean the overhanging rock face with the man-made steel overhang to shed water and rock falls into the river, then it was there a year ago. It hadn't helped with the rock fall a few metres before it, though. It was absolutely pissing down for most of the drive through but I wouldn't have missed it for anything. If you make the drive, try to stop of at this place.
Flock Hill Lodge garden by driverrob, on Flickr
driverrob said:
If you mean the overhanging rock face with the man-made steel overhang to shed water and rock falls into the river.....
OH, yeah, now I remember that it WAS man made.... It was a nice day when we crossed that bit, I bet it's a challenge in the rain...it's quite narrow too as I rememberIt isnt that bad going across to Otira now - there used to be a narrow one way section which was replaced by the viaduct.
Its a fantastic drive from Kumara Junction to Springfield - well worth including on any trip down south.
I found this on youtube - shot starting coming up from the Otira side
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyZbgtgfRbI
Its a fantastic drive from Kumara Junction to Springfield - well worth including on any trip down south.
I found this on youtube - shot starting coming up from the Otira side
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyZbgtgfRbI
...not fun in the Atom.
No-one warned me about the stretch of deep gravel towards the end of this road when I said we were off to Ocean Beach. Nor about how steep the final stretch was!
Road to Ocean beach by driverrob, on Flickr
Nice twisty drive, though.
Road to Ocean beach by driverrob, on Flickr
Nice twisty drive, though.
That Mangamuka gorge looks good. That's what I love about NZ, we're so lucky that there are good driving roads all over the place, it's just finding them. A couple that you wouldn't normally take that are a lot of fun-the road from Culverden through Waiau to Kaikoura, and from Murchison through the Buller gorge to Westport, very scenic and nice and windy. Oh Westport to Karamea is quite nice too. There isn't usually much traffic which is good.
Anyone seen any "Safer Speed Zones- 90", came across a few on way from Coromandel to Bombay Hills..... One of the zones included a dual carriage way with steel wire centre reservation !!! Now if that isn't a money making exercise I don't know what is ( lots of billboards with cops pointing speed cameras).
Some nice roads in the Coromandel though......
Some nice roads in the Coromandel though......
driverrob said:
Just after Christmas, roughly the last 100m before the steep drop to the beach. Came as a surprise as I was doing about 60 odd km/h and didn't get much chance to brake before I was in the gravel and stones - some quite big!
This is how I like it, sealed to the beach
I was a little surprised about the west coast comment particularly as I headed that way only yesterday to Omamari. Fortunately, I went in the ML but all I can say is never trust a sat nav, particularly when you're settings are for 'fastest route'.
The end result was worth it although I'd never attempt it in anything but a 4x4
Looks a nice smooth bit of gravel to me!
I was talking about South Island West Coast though, sometimes forget the North Island has one too.
Zoom in pretty much anywhere along it and you'll see what I mean
http://maps.google.co.nz/?ll=-43.309191,170.425415...
I was talking about South Island West Coast though, sometimes forget the North Island has one too.
Zoom in pretty much anywhere along it and you'll see what I mean
http://maps.google.co.nz/?ll=-43.309191,170.425415...
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