Arthur's Pass National Park
Arthur’s Pass National Park is located in the center of New Zealand's South Island. The park is situated in the mountain pass, along the historic route connecting Canterbury and its capital Christchurch in the east with the remote, wild West Coast of the South Island. The area was declared a national park back in 1929, making it the third national park in New Zealand overall and the first on the South Island.
♦ Tours to Arthur's Pass on Viator:
In the past, this was a perilous route, but it has since been upgraded and is now a wonderful drive to cross from the eastern side of the island to the west, passing through spectacular scenery and offering a variety of hiking trails within the park.
This is in fact one of the few roads reaching the beautiful West Coast, home to the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, Mount Aspiring National Park, and a range of stunning landscapes along the rugged coastline. Alternative routes include Highway 6, which runs along the coast and connects from Nelson in the north and Wanaka in the south, or Highway 7, which runs north of Arthur’s Pass but is far less scenic and impressive.
Therefore, if you are planning to travel to the West Coast from Christchurch and not heading north toward the Nelson region, driving through this route and visiting the national park is highly recommended.
The drive from Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass Village in the center of the park takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes. Continuing on to the West Coast—to Greymouth or Hokitika, where it is recommended to stay overnight at the end of the day—takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
In Arthur’s Pass Village, located at an elevation of about 900 meters above sea level, you will find a visitor center run by the DOC (Department of Conservation), which manages New Zealand's national parks. It is recommended to stop by for up-to-date information and trail maps.
The national park is characterized by breathtaking snow-capped peaks and towering waterfalls. The road winds between them, and the park features numerous short walking tracks for day hikes.
Among the most recommended tracks is the Devils Punchbowl Waterfall trail. This is a 30-minute walk in each direction to the base of the magnificent 131-meter waterfall.
Another recommended short trail is the Dobson Nature Walk, an easy 30-minute loop track showcasing typical alpine vegetation. It is especially lovely during the flowering season between November and February.
Devils Punchbowl Waterfall and the mountain pass:
The park also offers several longer hiking routes lasting several hours or even multiple days.
The top recommendation for trekking enthusiasts is Avalanche Peak—the most popular day hike in the park. This is a challenging 6-to-8-hour hike involving an 1,100-meter climb from the village to the summit. It is demanding, but the panoramic views from the top are magnificent on a clear day—allowing you to see the surrounding snow-capped peaks, particularly Mount Rolleston, and the Crow Glacier.
Alternatively, you can hike only part of the way up to the Bushline, where the tree line ends, which still offers beautiful scenic views over the area. This shorter hike takes about an hour and a half in each direction.
Short video about Arthur's Pass:
If you plan to embark on this trek, it is best to spend the night in one of the accommodations in the village. Make sure the weather conditions are favorable and obtain a trail map from the visitor center.
During your visit to the park, you will likely encounter the park’s most famous resident, the Kea—a colorful, curious, and omnivorous mountain parrot. It is particularly fond of car parts and notorious for the mischief and damage it can cause to vehicles...
Kea
An alternative way to experience the park, well-suited for railway enthusiasts, is crossing Arthur's Pass from Christchurch to Greymouth aboard the scenic TranzAlpine train. This scenic rail journey follows the historic railway line, offering breathtaking views of the park and the entire route. The journey takes about 4.5 hours and is a premium experience—costing around 200 New Zealand Dollars one way.
Sheep in the park:
