Running between Tuamarina and Picton at the top of the Marlborough Sounds, the road climbs high for big panoramic views before dropping down into each bay along the way. The scenery is the drawcard here, with sweeping outlooks over the Sounds and plenty of coves and beaches where you can get right down to the water and pull over for a closer look.

Expect a roughly 50/50 mix of sealed tarmac and gravel, the surface shifting between smooth dirt stretches and the occasional corrugated corner. Easy-going for most vehicles when you take it steady, with no need to air down.

Take care on the narrow, blind, twisty corners where passing oncoming traffic gets tight, and note that trade utes and vans sometimes come through at speed. If you want to keep exploring, Tumbledown Bay Road carries on from here and gets very narrow in places. A good drive for anyone passing through, and worth combining with an overnight stay in the bays.