Great driving roads in NZ

Great driving roads in NZ

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driverrob

Original Poster:

4,688 posts

203 months

Sunday 12th February 2012
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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.

driverrob

Original Poster:

4,688 posts

203 months

Sunday 12th February 2012
quotequote all
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!

driverrob

Original Poster:

4,688 posts

203 months

Monday 13th February 2012
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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

driverrob

Original Poster:

4,688 posts

203 months

Wednesday 15th February 2012
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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.

driverrob

Original Poster:

4,688 posts

203 months

Thursday 16th February 2012
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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 smile