This panorama shows the small village of Arthur's Pass. There are a couple of restaurants here and hotels that cater mostly to the hiking fraternity. Near the town are a few waterfalls. Local Kea birds are more than tame, and will steal food from inattentive tourists from the plates in front of them. This is not to be encouraged as the food is not good for them but the birds are *very* bold.

Arthurs Pass travel guide and map showing the tourist attractions, hotels and places of interest around Arthurs Pass in New Zealand. Virtual tours with 360° panoramas from Arthurs Pass, maps and local information.

Arthur's Pass is a small village named after the mountain pass through the Southern Alps of New Zealand via the valleys of the Otira and Beasley rivers. The village is at an altitude of 920m in Canterbury, about 140 km from Christchurch which lies to the east and 95 km from Greymouth to the west. This is one of only 3 routes through the mountains by road (the others are Haast Pass and Lewis Pass). It is not far from Castle Hill Boulders. The region is well known for climbing, skiing and other outdoor activities. It is well connected to both the east and west coasts by road and rail, with frequent shuttle bus services. It is also a short walk to Devil's Punchbowl Falls.

Arthurs Pass - Attractions and Activities

Climbing: Arthurs Pass is ideal for day climbs, the peaks and climbing areas are within easy access without long walks at the pass itself, about 5km north of the village. Visitors are cautioned not to overstretch their abilities by embarking unprepared on easily accessible routes which rapidly become difficult with fast, steep ascent paths. Scree, loose rocks, soggy ground saturation from surface water which also erodes path markings, cliffs, dense bushes and rapidly changing weather are constant hazards.

Locally available guides and advice on many routes marked out for half or full day excursions, navigation and equipment are available, along with accommodations, shops and amenities. Half day routed include the Temple Basin Ski-field and Otira Valley Walk; full day routes include Avalanche Peak track, Mount Beasley, Aicken and Cassidy routes, Beasley Spur Hut and the Traverses. For tramping (hiking) there are the Kelly Range, the Saddles, the Waimakariri Valley, Lake Kaurapataka, Harper & Lewis Pass, Mingha & Deception Rivers, Tarn Col & Walker Pass, the Minchin Pass & Townsend Creek, Otehake Gorge, Waimakariri Col and Harman Pass.

Tramping and Hiking: Exploring the rainforest areas - once suitable kitted out - offers an alternative to vertical climbing but no less challenging. Walking up through gorges alongside wide, fast-flowing icy rivers takes the visitor into an altogether different environment with lush green vegetation and diversity of plant and wildlife. Many rare species of fauna thrive here and draw the attentions of botanists keen to explore the unspoilt ecosystem. Birds of the rainforest include rock wrens, falcons, pipits and the kiwi. As the Pass was only opened in 1929, away from the highway much of the area is untouched and unspoilt.

Other Outdoor Activities: Mountain biking is possible all year round. For photographers, painters and outdoor enthusiasts, many waterfalls and dramatic cliffs scenes are within short distance and handsome rewards for the effort of exploring. For the less energetic, there's great fishing in summer and ice skating in winter. Of course, the skiing is world famous and of world-standard for catering to all levels of ability right through to very difficult.

Road: Highway 73 from Christchurch. From Greymouth take the 6 south and then the 73 east.
Rail: TranzAlpine daily services from Christchurch.