Mountain view from Bealey Spur, Arthur's Pass National Park.

Mountain view from Bealey Spur, Arthur's Pass National Park

Canterbury region

Canterbury region.

Arthur’s Pass National Park is in the heart of the Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana. Its high mountains with large scree slopes, steep gorges and wide braided rivers, straddles the main divide – the ‘back bone’ of the South Island – between Canterbury and the West Coast.

It’s a park of contrasts, with dry beech/tawhai forest in the east, luxuriant rainforest on western slopes, and a historic highway and railway running through the middle. Arthur’s Pass was established in 1929 and was New Zealand’s third national park and the first one in the South Island.

Location

Arthur's Pass National Park is situated between Canterbury and the West Coast in the South Island of New Zealand.

Highlights:

Image from the Meet the Locals - Noisy neighbours video. Image copyright: TVNZ.

Noisy neighbours video

High in the Southern Alps, the tiny 40-strong community in Arthur’s Pass Village are committed bunch of locals. Watch this video to find out how this community has a mission to protect kiwi.

Maori traveller & Mt Rolleston/Kaimatau, art by Geoffrey Cox.

Arthur's Pass National Park Management Plan

This plan guides the Department of Conservation in the management of Arthur's Pass National Park until 2017.

Snow, Arthur's Pass National Park. Photo: P Simpson.

Temple Basin field trip

This field trip explores Temple Basin, where students can learn about life forms within an Alpine Region and the history and current plans of Temple Basin and Arthur’s Pass National Park.

 
 
Safety

Safety information

Always contact the nearest visitor centre for the latest information about facilities and conditions.

Contact

Arthur's Pass National Park Visitor Centre
Phone:      +64 3 318 9211
Address:   SH 73
Arthur's Pass
Email:   arthurspassvc@doc.govt.nz
Full office details