A legendary drive to Arthur's Pass in NZ
New Zealand, oceania
44.6 km
739 m
hard
Year-round
Arthur's Pass, nestled high in New Zealand's South Island, clocks in at 739m (2,425ft) above sea level. You'll find it straddling the border between the wild West Coast and Canterbury regions, smack-dab in the heart of Arthur's Pass National Park.
This route, now known as State Highway 73 or the Great Alpine Highway, was originally a Maori trading path. Imagine this: back in 1866, it was carved out of the landscape by hand to connect Hokitika and Christchurch after gold was discovered.
Driving Arthur's Pass is a must-do in New Zealand. This iconic road climbs to over 900 meters, showcasing the most dramatic scenery the Southern Alps have to offer. Think incredible engineering feats – viaducts, bridges, rock shelters, and even waterfalls channeled into chutes. Heads up: petty theft from vehicles has been reported.
The road is paved the whole way, and while breathtaking, it can be a bit of a white-knuckle ride, especially in winter. Snow and ice are common, and chains might be necessary. Rainfall is high, and snow is frequent in winter. Freezing temps are often encountered. The pass has been known to close for extended periods due to weather or landslides.
While improvements have been made to visibility and curves over the years, the Otira Gorge and Arthur's Pass road can still be a challenge. The road gets seriously steep in places, hitting gradients of up to 16%!
The pass stretches for 44.6 km (27.71 miles) from Jacksons on the West Coast to Bealey. You'll cross 11 bridges along the way. Allot about 45 minutes for the drive, and consider making Arthur's Pass your base for exploring the surrounding national park!
Where is it?
A legendary drive to Arthur's Pass in NZ is located in New Zealand (oceania). Coordinates: -41.5253, 176.1040
Road Details
- Country
- New Zealand
- Continent
- oceania
- Length
- 44.6 km
- Max Elevation
- 739 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -41.5253, 176.1040
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Arthur's Pass, nestled in the heart of New Zealand's South Island, is a must-do for any road trip enthusiast! This mountain pass sits at a lofty 739m (2,425ft) above sea level, right on the border between the West Coast and Canterbury regions, within the stunning Arthur's Pass National Park. Fun fact: it's named after Sir Arthur Dudley Dobson, who led the first group of Europeans through here back in 1864. Originally a Maori trading route, the road we know today was carved out in 1866 after gold was discovered, connecting Hokitika and Christchurch. Talk about a challenging construction project – built by hand with picks, shovels, and sheer determination! Today, driving State Highway 73 through Arthur's Pass is an unforgettable experience. As the highest and most spectacular pass across the Southern Alps, it climbs to over 900 meters, boasting incredible engineering feats like viaducts, bridges, and redirected waterfalls. Keep your eyes peeled – and your car locked – at parking spots along the way. This fully paved road is generally well-maintained, but winter can throw a curveball with snow and ice, sometimes requiring chains. Plus, with an average annual rainfall of 4000-7000mm and frequent winter snowfalls, it's wise to have a backup plan in case the pass closes. Be prepared for some steep climbs, too, with gradients reaching up to 16 percent in sections. Spanning 44.6 km (27.71 miles) between Jacksons and Bealey, this scenic drive will take about 45 minutes. Arthur's Pass itself is a fantastic base for exploring the National Park, but the journey is just as rewarding!
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