Arthur’s Pass was the 3rd national park established in New Zealand in 1929. It got it’s name when Arthur Dudley Dobson surveyed the pass in February 1864. Gold was then discovered on the West Coast, and a road was built to link Christchurch with the West Coast gold fields. The road was built in less than a year by a thousand men, but it’s not an easy crossing. Today the Otira viaduct road has since been built to replace it but it is still often closed due to rock fall or snow.
Arthur’s Pass has a range of walks for all fitness abilities and some family-friendly ones in particular. The Arthur’s Pass Village Historic Walk takes 1 hour 30 minutes and has some wide paths for prams. The Millennium Walk is just 10 minutes crossing a stone bridge to Avalanche Creek Waterfall. Old Coach Rd is 30 minutes return with a rope handrail along the way.
Overall, Arthur’s Pass is stunning but conditions can be dangerous and unexpected. All visitors should be prepared for wet and cold conditions, even in summer.
If you plan to visit, why not book your accommodation online now!
Editorial by Holly Roberts