Arthur's Pass National Park

Arthur's Pass National Park is a major national park in the heart of New Zealand's South Island, spanning the Southern Alps. Established in 1929, it was New Zealand's third national park and the first in the South Island. The park covers the high alpine passes, beech forests, and braided river valleys of the central Southern Alps.

The park was first surveyed in 1864 by Arthur Dudley Dobson to identify the best route for a road to the West Coast goldfields. The road was completed in 1865, and the Otira Rail Tunnel opened in 1923, at the time the longest tunnel in the British Commonwealth. The TranzAlpine train, considered one of the world's great train journeys, crosses the pass daily.

Arthur's Pass village is a small settlement within the park containing the train station, motels, cabins, cafes, and the Department of Conservation visitor centre. The landscape is typical alpine New Zealand with beech forest on the eastern side and podocarp forest on the wetter western side. The highest peak is Mount Murchison at 2,400 metres.

The climate is alpine — colder than elsewhere in New Zealand. Winters bring snow, while summers are mild but weather can change rapidly.

By Plane

The nearest major airports are Christchurch Airport (CHC), approximately 150 km east, and Hokitika Airport (HKK), approximately 100 km west.

By Train

The TranzAlpine train runs daily from Christchurch to Arthur's Pass, departing early morning and arriving mid-morning. The train continues to Greymouth on the West Coast. A day trip from Christchurch is possible: arrive around 10:15AM, then catch the returning train around 4:15PM. An overnight stay is recommended.

By Car / Road

Arthur's Pass is on State Highway 73, about a 2-hour drive from Christchurch. The road is scenic but winding, and snow chains may be required in winter. The road is one of only three crossings of the Southern Alps. Daily bus services operate from Christchurch and Greymouth (East West Coaches).

Arthur's Pass village is small and easily walkable along SH73. Watch for traffic as vehicles pass at speed. Walking tracks start directly from the village.

Arthur's Pass Visitor Centre — 104 West Coast Road. Daily 8:30AM–4:30PM. Larger than most i-SITEs with museum-quality displays on the area's history, pioneers, mountains, and environment. Sells DOC hut tickets and maps.

Arthur's Pass Train Station — Historic station with an elaborate mural in the waiting room.

Devil's Punchbowl Waterfall — A spectacular 131-metre waterfall, a 20-minute walk from the village.

Mountains, rivers, and forests visible from short walks around the village.

Hiking is the main activity. Options range from short walks to challenging alpine routes:

• Devil's Punchbowl Track — 20 minutes return to the waterfall viewpoint
• Avalanche Peak Track — 6–8 hours return, challenging climb up 1,100 metres. Great views and likely encounters with kea.
• Dobson Nature Walk — Short loop through beech forest
• Bealey Valley Track — 1.5 hours return through alpine meadows and rock fields

Ask at the visitor centre about conditions. Take the TranzAlpine train for the scenic crossing. Watch for kea, the alpine parrot known for its curiosity.

Wobbly Kea Cafe and Bar — 300 m west of the Visitor Centre. Good restaurant and bar with a fireplace, friendly atmosphere, homemade pastries.

Arthurs — 350 m west of the Visitor Centre. Restaurant, bar, powered campervan sites, and B&B.

Arthur's Pass Store and Cafe — 300 m west of the Visitor Centre. Basic groceries, sandwiches, soup, and ice cream. Closes at 6PM.

Some B&Bs offer breakfast or meals — arrange with your host.

All the restaurants above are fully licensed. The Wobbly Kea has happy hours on Tuesday and Friday nights.

• Budget: DOC Campground — across from the Visitor Centre. Grassy spots for tents and campervans. Indoor shelter with cold water and toilets. $6 per night. The Sanctuary Backpackers — honesty-box backpackers. Beds $30 per night.
• Mid-range: Arthur's Pass Alpine Motel — from $130. YHA Arthur's Pass Mountain House — bed from $30, room from $75.
• Upscale: Otira Stagecoach Hotel — 14 km west of Arthur's Pass. Historic building from 1865 with antiques. Double with shared bath $105.

Arthur's Pass Store and Cafe — Basic groceries, camping supplies, sandwiches, soup, and ice cream. Prices are higher than Christchurch supermarkets. The visitor centre sells dehydrated camping food. Possum fur pelts are sold at the visitor centre — buying them supports pest control.

• Greymouth — 90 km west, West Coast town with the Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki
• Christchurch — 150 km east, the Garden City
• Hokitika — 100 km west, greenstone and wild food capital
• Castle Hill — 60 km east, dramatic limestone rock formations
• West Coast — scenic drive west to glaciers and rainforest