This 2,047 kilometer long highway links both the North and South Islands of New Zealand, from the country's northern most point of the North Island at Cape Reinga on the Aupouri Peninsula, all the way through to the country's southern most point on the South Island at Stirling Point.
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| Cape Reinga, North Island |
On the North Island the road
traverses the one kilometer long, Auckland Harbour Bridge, passing through the Bombay Hills,
the shoreline of Lake Karapiro, the North Island Volcanic Plateau, the Tongerau
National Park, the shore of Lake Taupo, the Rangipo Desert, the Manawatu
Plains, the two kilometer long Ngauranga Gorge and on to the Cook Strait and
Marlborough Sounds, where ferries can be taken over to the South island.
The highway also passes through the North Island cities
of Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Whangarei.
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| New Zealand's major towns & cities |
Ferries from North Island to South Island sail across the Cook Strait and the Marlborough Sound. There are rail, road and passenger ferries, all of which take around three hours to make the crossing and all of which provide several sailings every day.
On the South Island the highway leaves the town of Picton and passes along the Taimarira
Valley, onto the Wairu Plain, the Taieri Plain, along the shore of Lake
Waihola, the Tokomairiro Plain, the seaport town of Bluff and on to Stirling
Point, the southern most point of mainland New Zealand.
The highway also passes through the South Island cities of
Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill. |
| The world famous signpost at Stirling Point |
OTHER SCENIC HIGHWAYS OF NEW ZEALAND'S NORTH ISLAND
State Highway 29 – Is a sixty two kilometer long scenic mountain and coastal road situated along North Island’s Kamai Mountain Range, situated between Mount Maunganui and the port city of Tauranga on the island’s north coast.
The highway passes through Te Maunga, Bay of Plenty and New Zealand’s largest and most populace city, Wellington.
State Highway 43 – Which is better known as the Forgotten World Highway, is a 148 kilometer scenic road located along the North Island’s western interior situated between Taumarungui in King County and Stratford in Taranaki.
The road passes through the rugged countryside of a vast alluvial plain passing old, abandoned villages, the high sided Tangerakau Gorge and through the unusual, Moki Tunnel, which also goes by the name of Hobbit’s Hole.
State Highway 45 – which is better known as Surf Highway, is a 104 kilometer long coastal road situated along the island's south, west coast between the seaside towns of Hawera, Manaia and Opunake.
The road gets it’s name from the many surfing resorts it passes through.
OTHER SCENIC HIGHWAYS OF NEW ZEALAND'S SOUTH ISLAND
National Highway 72 – Which is better known as the Inland Scenic Route, is a 93 kilometer long highway located along South Island’s Canterbury Plains, between the towns of Ashburton and Darfield.
The road skirts the island's Southern Alps passing Mount Hutt, Mount Somers and the 47 square kilometer, Lake Coleridge.
The road also passes through Alford Forest, Raikaia Gorge and along some of the course of the Raikaia and Selwyn rivers.
The road also passes through the bustling port town of Timaru and the island’s largest city, Christchurch, both of which are situated on the island’s west coast.
State Highway 6 – Also known as the Southern Scenic Route, is a 1,162 kilometer long highway which is New Zealand’s longest single roadway linking the town of Blenheim in the north of the South Island with the city of Invercargill in the south.
The route takes in the Marlborough region, the City of Nelson, Tasman Bay, the district of Otago, the Gibbston wine growing region, the Remarkables and Hector mountains, the Queenstown Lake District, the Karawau Gorge, complete with suspension bridge, the Karawau River, which is spanned by the world famous bungy jumping, Karawau River Bridge, and the region of Southland before finally reaching the city of Invercargill.
State Highway 73 – Which is better known as the Great Alpine Highway, is a 231 kilometer long highway located between Christchurch on the island’s west coast and Greymouth on the island’s west coast.
The road passes through the alpine terrain of the Southern Alps, passing Lake Brunner, the Waimakarira River, Lake Coleridge, the Korowai – Torlesse Tussocklands Park, and along the 939 meter high Porter’s Pass, the 920 meter high Arthur’s Pass and along the 440 meter high Otira Viaduct.
The highway also passes through the small towns and villages of Kumara, Oxford, Springfield, Waddington, Coalgate, Darfield, Kirwee, Burhham and Templeton and the port town of Timaru and the coastal resort of Caroline Bay.
State Highway 94 – Is a 254 kilometer long highway located along New Zealand’s picturesque Fjordland region, located in the south west of the island.
The highway links Milford Sound with the town of Gore, passing through the towns of Lumsden and Te Anau and through the 1.2 kilometer long, Homer Tunnel.
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| The Otira Viaduct |
In New Zealand all vehicles drive on the left hand side of the road and the national speed limits are set at -
50 km/h in built up areas.
100 km/h on single or dual carriageways and major highways.
90 km/h on the above roads for trucks or cars with trailers.
Check out the geography of New Zealand by visiting - Facts about New Zealand
FIND HOTELS AROUND NEW ZEALAND
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