Arthurs Pass

Arthurs Pass, named after the man who first documented this most direct route from the Canterbury Plains through to the West Coast, is known both for the stupendous scenery, and the unstable nature of the road itself.

The road snakes across the mountainside leading through Otira Gorge; but unfortunately the entire mountainside is one giant slip. This means that any heavy rain, or mild earthquake, destabilises the slope, and major rockfalls result in the regular closure of the road. The Trans-Alpine Railway route (which parallels the road) however, is much more sensible; it goes through a 8km long tunnel carved through the mountain, and also avoids the interesting run of hairpin bends snaking across the slipface. All in all a genuinely relaxing way to experience the true majesty of geological erosion, coupled with an opportunity to appreciate how lucky you are to have made it through at all. Nervous drivers should choose Lewis Pass further north.

For people who are interested in an easily accessible site of New Zealand’s alpine plant community, there are many walks in the area, and Arthurs Pass has a very small settlement with a DoC centre, restaurant and a couple of motels, for those who would like to explore Arthurs Pass National Park in more detail.

Arthurs Pass is a good place to see the Kea; the Park contains a healthy population of the NZ alpine parrots.