I am used to seeing trig points at the tops of mountains and hills, and proving difficult to get to. This one could not have been simpler (once you had driven out there) as it was right by the road in the Taramakau River Valley.

Taramakau Valley - Taramakau River visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Taramakau Valley' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from West Coast.

The Taramakau Valley cuts east into the Southern Alps from Kumara Junction on the West Coast of New Zealand. The Taramakau River flows down it from headwaters in the mountains to the Tasman Sea. It is a wide, glacial valley surrounded by mountains providing dramatic scenery for those on road trips across the South Island from Christchurch. The area around the Taramakau Valley is also popular with cyclists and anglers. The mountains provide hiking and tramping.

Road: Highway 73 runs up Taramakau River Valley until the Otira River, where it heads south over Arthurs Pass.