Arthur's Pass

Shortest, steepest, and most spectacular of the routes across the Southern Alps, Arthur's Pass Road (Highway 73) is the main link between Canterbury and Westland. Construction of the route began in 1855, boosted by the efforts of Christchurch businessmen seeking to direct the flow of gold from West Coast mines through the Canterbury capital.

From the Canterbury Plains, the road climbs into the mountains and curves around Craigieburn State Forest Park. In winter, inhabitants of Christchurch and the surrounding area enjoy tobogganing at Porters Pass, ice skating at nearby Lake Lyndon, and skiing at Porters Heights and Temple Basin skifield.

Headquarters for Arthur's Pass National Park is located in Arthur's Pass township, just east of the 922meter/3,029 foot summit.

West of the divide, the highway descends steeply to the railway settlement of Otira; no vans are permitted on the Arthur's Pass Otira section of the road. At the settlement of Jacksons, a wayside tavern recalls its early years as a stagecoach inn before the rail line was pushed through the mountains; historic photographs evoke this colorful period. The road continues down the Thramakau Valley to meet Highway 6 near Kumara.

Spanning both slopes of the Southern Alps, the park encompasses a broad cross section of alpine flora. Mountain beech forest predominates on the eastern slope, and dense forest covers the western side. Waterfalls tumble from glacier cut valleys. Alpine wildflowers bloom from mid November through February; the brilliant crimson flowers of the rata turn the mountainsides ablaze with color. Above the tree line, the scenery is cold and severe. In winter, snow blankets the slopes.

Park activities are concentrated in Arthur's Pass township, about 154 km/95 miles northwest of Christchurch. At park headquarters here, you'll see exhibits depicting the history of the park and the difficult construction of the road and railway. You'll also see one of the old Cobb & Co. stagecoaches that transported passengers and freight across the rugged route before the completion of the Otira tunnel in 1923. Other displays identify local plants and birds. Evening programs are presented here in summer.

Descriptive leaflets are available for several of the park's trails. Popular routes include the Dobson Nature Walk and trails to Bridal Veil Falls, Devil's Punchbowl, and Bealey Valley. All day climbs lead up nearby peaks, where you can often spot novice rock climbers learning mountaineering skills.

Near the highway summit, a memorial honors Arthur Dobson, the surveyor engineer who discovered the pass in 1864.