Waikato · New Zealand
The 309 Road
Coromandel to Whitianga Road junction
Twisting gravel crossing of the Coromandel Range famed for its many bends and kauri grove.
The 309 Road runs from Coromandel town up and over the spine of the Coromandel Peninsula toward Whitianga. The central stretch is well-formed but unsealed gravel, winding tightly through native bush past Waiau Falls and a protected stand of ancient kauri. The name is said to derive either from its tally of corners or from the 309 minutes horse-drawn coaches once took to traverse it, and the road is narrow with stream crossings and quirky roadside stops along the way. Mind the loose gravel, the one-lane sections where bush hides oncoming traffic, and slippery surfaces after rain.
Scenery
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Where it runs13.1 mi · point to point
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Character
Corners
busiest around mile 5Elevation
under 4%4–8%over 8%11 – 306.8 mFrom the road
Points of interest3 stops
- Waiau Kauri GroveLandmark4.7 mi in
- The WaterworksLandmark2.9 mi in
- Waiau FallsLandmark4.3 mi in
Hazards
- Loose gravel
- Narrow one-lane sections
- Slippery when wet
Sources
“Experience stunning vistas, winding bends and dense forest as you drive through the heart of the '309'”
Verified route: mapped from real road geometry and fact-checked by a human editor. How roads get checked
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