Lindis Pass
SH 8Omarama to Cromwell · Canterbury
Distance48.1mi · 77 km
Drive time1 h 36 minon the road
DifficultyModerate
MountainMoorlandValley
Highest point on the South Island state highway network.
State Highway 8 climbs over the Lindis Pass at about 971 metres between Omarama in the Mackenzie Basin and the Tarras area in Central Otago, the highest point on the South Island state highway network. The pass is famous for its sweeping bends through bare golden snow-tussock hills and schist ridges that change colour with the light. Mind the exposed summit winds, black ice in winter and fast-changing alpine weather.
Where it runs
OmaramaStart · Canterbury
CromwellEnd · New Zealand
Character
Corners50bends
Tightness5of 10
Max gradient9%≈ 1-in-11
Hairpins0tight bends
Climb614 mtotal ascent
Summit978 mhighest point · 3209 ft
SummerAutumn
Elevation
690 m rangeKnow before you go
- Black ice and snow in winter
- Strong exposed crosswinds at the summit
- Fast-changing alpine weather
Along the road
- viewpoint Lindis Pass Summit Lookout
Sources
In these collections
Nearby roads
The closest great drives to Lindis Pass.
