If you’ve ever driven through New Zealand, you’ll know there’s a difference between a road trip and a New Zealand road trip. One is relaxing. The other? Well, it’s a blend of jaw-dropping scenery, tight white-knuckle corners, and the occasional “I should’ve written a will” moment.
Since moving to the North Island, my van life adventures have taken me across some of the most beautiful, and nerve-wracking, roads I’ve ever driven. Out here, the highways aren’t just straight ribbons of asphalt. They’re living, twisting creatures that demand respect.
We’re talking:
- Narrow lanes where two vans passing each other feels like threading a needle
- Winding bends that seem to multiply the closer you get to your destination
- The total absence of barriers, because apparently guardrails are optional here
Sometimes, all that separates you from a cliff edge is your steering wheel and the knowledge that you really don’t want to find out how deep the drop is.
I’ve had days where I drove like my future depended on it – because in a way, it absolutely did.
Blind Corners: The New Zealand Gamble
Let’s talk about blind corners. In most countries, a blind corner is an occasional inconvenience. In New Zealand, they’re an entire way of life.
Every bend is a gamble:
- Will it open into a clear, empty road?
- Will there be a truck taking up more than its fair share of the lane?
- Or will it be a local driver, zipping around at Mach 3, waving cheerfully while you’re still recovering from minor heart palpitations?
The truth is, after a while, you adapt. You learn to lean into the curves, sometimes literally, and develop a sixth sense for when to slow down or hug your side just a bit more. But no matter how skilled you get, there’s still that little adrenaline spike every time the road disappears around a bend.
North vs South: A Tale of Two Islands
I haven’t braved the South Island Alps in my van yet, but I’ve heard enough stories from friends to paint a vivid picture:
- Narrow cliffside lanes with no guardrails and a several-hundred-metre drop
- Sheer rock faces on one side, dizzying empty space on the other
- Black ice sneaking onto corners in the early morning, even when the sun is out
- Scenic views so stunning you forget your fear, until the next hairpin turn snaps you back to reality
The North Island may not have black ice or heavy snow, but it comes with its own hazards. The biggest? Thick early-morning fog.
One minute, the landscape is clear and the light is golden. The next, you’re swallowed in a cloud so dense you can’t see the centre line. Your headlights just illuminate more mist, and you’re forced to slow to a crawl, hoping the next driver is doing the same.
Why We Keep Coming Back for More
Now here’s the thing: for all the nerves, for all the moments of gripping the steering wheel a little too tightly… I wouldn’t trade it.
Because in between the white-knuckle corners, you get:
- Coastlines that shimmer in the afternoon sun
- Green hills rolling like soft waves as far as the eye can see
- Bush so dense and alive it feels like a scene from a fantasy film
- Remote little towns where you can pull over for a coffee and a yarn with a local
Every kilometre is part of a bigger story. The challenge of the road just makes the reward feel richer.
Your Turn
So, here’s my question:
Do you actually enjoy these roads, leaning into the thrill like a rally driver? Or are you secretly counting down the kilometres until the next stretch of straight, forgiving highway?
I’ll be honest, most days I’m a mix of both. Equal parts adventurer and cautious realist.
But whether you’re here for the adrenaline or the views, one thing’s for sure: NZ roads don’t play.
Buckle up. Take it slow when you need to. And never, ever underestimate a blind corner.
👇 Drop your “corner speed” in the comments. Let’s see who’s keeping it real.
Abdinz 
Leave a comment