Cut to serve gold miners heading inland, this long run climbs across high, open tussock country with the ranges spread out all around.

Mostly gravel, with a few km of new seal near Clarks Junction at the southern end. In dry summer conditions it's manageable enough that an AWD will often get you through, though it's still a proper backcountry trip rather than a casual drive.

There are good spots to pull over along the way, including a handy picnic spot if you've got the family along. You can take side trips too, like detouring up toward Summit Ridge and coming back down the Kinvara track on the east side of the Rock and Pillar Range to Middlemarch.

Worth noting the seasonal closure runs 1 June to 1 October each year.