Picturesque valleys and ravines, roaring waterfalls and snow capped alpine peaks define stunning Arthur's Pass. From hiking and fishing in the summer, to skiing and ice skating in the winter months, Arthur’s Pass National Park offers year-round outdoor recreation. Arthur's Pass is easily accessible by car, or on the world-famous TranzAlpine Express train journey.
Arthur's Pass National Park is situated in the heart of the Southern Alps between Canterbury on the east and the wild West Coast. High mountains with large scree slopes feature along with wide braided rivers and steep gorges.
The Arthur's Pass area has long been used by those travelling coast to coast. Maori traveled in search of Pounamu ("greenstone" or "jade") and trade, when gold was discovered on the West Coast many European settlers went across the Alps.
Today the scenic TranzAlpine train travels between Christchurch and Greymouth. There is a striking difference between the habitats on either side of the Main Divide – the mid-line of the Alps. To the east the forests are almost entirely mountain beech. To the west the situation is more complex with a variety of New Zealand rain forest species.
Alpine plants grow in profusion above the bush line, where they can be seen quite easily on a short walk off the road. The park's most famous inhabitant is the Kea. Kea are alpine parrots famous for their inquisitive nature and the damage they can wreck if encouraged too close to human habitats. |
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| Perfect sailing area: the Bay of Islands |
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