Desert Road and the Central Plateau
SH1 across the Rangipo Desert past Tongariro volcanoes, highest state highway pass.
- Distance
- 70 km
- Driving
- 1 hours
- Take
- 1 day
- Route
- Tūrangi to Waiouru
The Desert Road is the SH1 section across the Rangipo Desert between Tūrangi and Waiouru, with a summit of 1,074 m. It passes Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro. Winter snow closures happen.
The stops
Start
Tūrangi
Town
Tūrangi
Fuel and food
Viewpoint
Desert Road summit
Highest point
Town
Waiouru
Army museum
Finish
Waiouru
Where to stay
Night 1
Ohakune
Ohakune Top 10
- When to go
- Dec–Mar
- On the road
- Barrier arms close it in snow.
Take the trip with you
Roadtrip finds the cheapest fuel on the way, warns you about tolls and cameras, and splits the cost with everyone in the car.
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