High in the hills above Queenstown, this gravel road runs into one of the country's best-known gold-mining landscapes. Often billed as one of New Zealand's most dangerous roads, the driving itself isn't hard, but it's extremely narrow with massive cliff drop-offs and few passing places. Take it slow and watch for oncoming traffic, including the Canyon Jet buses that run the road.

Stock 4x4s will manage it easily, though some patches get muddy and rutted in the wet. The payoff is unreal canyon scenery and a lot of preserved history. The 1862 gold rush brought thousands of miners here, and at its peak Skippers had a post office, hall, hotel, stores and a school. The school closed in 1927, became a woolshed, sat derelict for around 20 years, then DOC restored it in 1992. The old class photos are well worth a look.

Take your time to read the information boards and keep an eye out for wild goats. You can camp at the old Skippers township too. A good day trip and well worth the journey.