Queen Charlotte Drive

NZ · New Zealand

The road, north up. 18 km end to end.

Climb along the road — 7 m to 156 m · 358 m of climbing

Highest: 156 m
Lowest: 7 m
Climb: 358 m
Descent: 362 m
Start to end: 20 → 18 m
Steepest: 13.4%

18 kmEnd to end

0h 13m Riding time

Very twisty Twistiness

Paved Surface

The twistiest stretch of Queen Charlotte Drive through the Marlborough Sounds between Picton and Havelock, narrow and bendy with a bay alongside almost all the way.

SeasonNovember to April

This is bends for their own sake: tight, narrow and following the shoreline of the Sounds, with water appearing and disappearing through the trees.

It is slow-going, and the road is narrow enough that you should expect to meet vehicles coming the other way on the bends.

There are few places to stop and few services, so plan fuel and food in Picton or Havelock.

Ferries on the way

Wellington - Picton (Interislander) — Picton Interislander terminal - Aratere to interislander · Paid crossing
Wellington - Picton (Bluebridge) — Wellington Harbour Ferry to Picton Interislander terminal - Aratere
Wellington - Picton (Interislander) — Picton Interislander terminal - Aratere to interislander · Paid crossing
Wellington - Picton (Bluebridge) — Wellington Harbour Ferry to Picton Interislander terminal - Aratere

More on this road: The best motorcycle roads in New Zealand's South Island

Rides that use it

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Plan a ride on it More roads

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