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driverrob
Original Poster
2,952 posts
72 months
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This article [ur]http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/motoring/great-nz-roads/6399770/New-Zealand-a-drivers-paradise[/url] has (just?) appeared on Stuff.
What do the local PHers think? I might give one or two recommended ones a go next time I'm over.
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RCK974X
937 posts
18 months
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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.
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driverrob
Original Poster
2,952 posts
72 months
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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!
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GravelBen
10,025 posts
99 months
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An odd selection in some ways - just a few obvious (larger scale) exceptions...
Milford Road
Lindis Pass
Arthurs Pass
Buller Gorge
Haast Pass
West Coast (pretty much all of it!)
Chaslands Highway
Crown Range
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RCK974X
937 posts
18 months
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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....
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driverrob
Original Poster
2,952 posts
72 months
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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
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RCK974X
937 posts
18 months
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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 remember
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Oscar the Grouch
163 posts
53 months
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It 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
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Exige46
250 posts
105 months
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Don't have a fun car anymore, but the Forgotten World Highway is superb, with a nice piece of gravel thrown in too.
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GravelBen
10,025 posts
99 months
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Exige46 said: ..with a nice piece of gravel... My favourite so far is this one, probably posted it before but hey: 
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Atom Johnny
679 posts
45 months
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GravelBen said: Exige46 said: ..with a nice piece of gravel... My favourite so far is this one, probably posted it before but hey: Gravel  ...not fun in the Atom. Otherwise nice road despite a few too many straight bits.  How's this?.... 
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driverrob
Original Poster
2,952 posts
72 months
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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.
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GravelBen
10,025 posts
99 months
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Atom Johnny said: How's this?....  Looks fun!
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Esprit
6,262 posts
152 months
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Rob, is that all sealed now? It was ALL gravel last time I drove it, mind you that was about 10 years ago!
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driverrob
Original Poster
2,952 posts
72 months
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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! The hire car took it well, though 
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Fulvisti
220 posts
39 months
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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.
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alex.tvr
276 posts
127 months
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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......
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Steve*B
637 posts
77 months
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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 
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GravelBen
10,025 posts
99 months
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SkylineObsession
233 posts
90 months
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I found it really hard to scroll past the first image. DBS is the best looking Aston ever, i'd love one of them and a Vanquish S (big version from the mid 2000's).
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