Explore/New Zealand/NZ OTA/Lindis Pass SH8 — Cromwell to Omarama
NZCromwell, New ZealandModeratePaved

Lindis Pass SH8 — Cromwell toOmarama.

Distance
110 km
Duration
1 day
Climb
850 m
CloneClone in AppShareShare
R
Curated by Rider · Updated Aug 2026
Overview

Lindis Pass SH8 — Cromwell to Omarama.

State Highway 8 climbs from the Central Otago wine country over the Lindis Pass — New Zealand's highest sealed through-road at 971m. The signature image is the golden tussock saddle: sweeping, barrier-free curves through soft rounded hills with the Southern Alps on the horizon. A short, exhilarating link between the Cromwell basin and the Mackenzie Country.

Quick facts

SurfacePaved
Distance110 km
Days1
Total climb850 m
DifficultyModerate
Loading map...
Day-by-day

The route.

ROUTE
4 stops
Start
CromwellStart · Fuel up in Cromwell — the old gold town on Lake Dunstan marked by its giant fruit sculpture. Last full-service stop before the pass.
Scenic
TarrasScenic Point · Tiny merino-country hamlet where the road leaves the Clutha and begins the long open climb. Grab a coffee before the summit.
Pass
Lindis Pass Summit (971m)Mountain Pass · New Zealand's highest sealed through-road. Golden snow-tussock hills roll away with no guardrails — the classic South Island pass. Cold and exposed in bad weather.
End
OmaramaEnd · End at Omarama, gliding capital of NZ and gateway to the Mackenzie. The Clay Cliffs pinnacles are a short detour.

More routes in NZ OTA

Waitaki Valley SH83 — Oamaru to OmaramaNZ OTA · 120 kmNevis Road — Bannockburn to Garston over Duffers SaddleNZ OTA · 90 kmThe Pigroot & the Maniototo — Palmerston to St Bathans (SH85)NZ OTA · 130 kmDanseys Pass — Duntroon to Naseby Gold TrailNZ OTA · 60 kmSkippers Canyon Road — Queenstown's Goldfields GorgeNZ OTA · 50 kmGlenorchy Road — Queenstown to Glenorchy & ParadiseNZ OTA · 75 km

Save this ride. Open the app.

Clone it to your planner, customize dates and stops, then ride. All free.

Open in MotoVault
Navigate this route with GPS
Open