Top 6 Best Things to Do in Arthur’s Pass | New Zealand

State Highway 73, or The Great Alpine Highway, is one scenic drive you must do in New Zealand. Unlike the other road trips along the coast of the South Island, this inland trip cuts across the island, bridging the East and West.

Most people remember SH73 as the Arthur’s Pass route – the fastest route to the West Coast from Christchurch. There are four highways to the West Coast, and I’ll explain why SH73 is the most scenic and worthwhile drive you must dedicate at least a weekend to.

Thinking of a road trip in New Zealand? Have a look at my suggested 14-day itinerary around the South Island. The articles on Arthur’s Pass, Dunedin to Invercargill via Catlins and Christchurch to Dunedin, were created to supplement it.

I travelled around New Zealand from 2020 to 2022. This post may be updated periodically.

East to West

The West Coast is a sad and lonely place. That’s what I think when I look at the map.

The North Island has a rather concentric mountainous region that leaves no place particularly segregated (Northland is the funny state here, separated by Auckland.). On the other hand, we have a long mountainous belt partitioning the South Island, leaving a sliver of coast for the West, which probably explains the gloomy weather.

Geographically, there are two non-mountainous entries to the West Coast on SH6. SH6 starts from Invercargill and ends at Blenheim, with half of it on the West Coast.

The other two are routes engineered to penetrate the indomitable mountains, of which Arthur’s Pass (SH73) is the road with more activities.

1. SH6, from Wanaka to the first town of the West Coast – Haast
2. SH6, from somewhere near Westport to Murchison and the north of South – Nelson
3. SH7, which has a Lewis Pass (907 m) and a Hanmer Springs – a popular hot spring spot for those from Christchurch
4. SH73, Arthur’s Pass (739 m) has several good hiking tracks

TranzAlpine Train

Driving over a pass can be intimidating, especially during winter, and SH73 does have a fair share of twists and turns.

Rather than explore behind the wheels, why not travel in style on a train?

I have never taken a train in New Zealand before. But I can imagine this alpine ride as a relaxing way to explore the Southern Alps. Maybe something like the trains in Switzerland. It costs around NZD 219 and is a 5-hour ride to cover the 223 km from Christchurch to Greymouth.

Stops on The Great Alpine Highway

I have travelled SH73 at least two times – once for Avalanche Peak and another for Castle Hills.

My list for SH73 is non-exhaustive – it contains the best attractions I have been to or would recommend to you. Find accommodations on the West Coast, Arthur’s Pass Village, or Christchurch from your usual channels like Agoda or Booking dot com. 

(1) Christchurch

Here’s a post on the budget-y attractions in Christchurch. For all you Working Holiday Makers, CHC is a great base to find your footing. For all other travellers, CHC is the cheapest place in the South Island to rent a car or campervan.

(2) Castle Hill Limestone Boulders

97.2 km or about 1.5 h from Christchurch will bring you to our first stop of SH73 – The Castle Hill Limestone Boulders.

New Zealand has several spots with fascinating rock formations. There are the oddly yet perfectly round Moeraki boulders in the east, the flat pancake rocks in the west, the fossilised forest in the south, and the desktop-worthy arches in the north. And in between all these are large rocks so perfect no boulderers could ever resist.

Also known as Kura Tawhiti in Maori – “the treasure from the distant land” – it is a special place to the Ngāi Tahu people.

Dedicate 30 mins for an easy stroll around the park.

(3) Cave Stream Scenic Reserve

The next stop is a mere 6 mins or 4.4 km drive from Castle Hill.

Cave Stream Scenic Reserve is a beautiful place to walk, even if you’re not caving.

The boys and I were supposed to hike the Castle Hill peak (not the park), but the weather turned foggy, and we went to visit this reserve and the boulders instead. As we came unprepared for the cave – you need headlamps – we did not enter. Tell me how it went if you do make it! As with all outdoorsy activities, check the weather and water level beforehand. Read this article from Arthur’s Pass website and DOC to know what to prepare.

(4) Arthur’s Pass Village & Keas

Arthur’s Pass is the highlight of SH73.

Situated about 48 km or 40 mins from the Cave Stream Scenic Reserve, the village is where you find toilets, food, accoms or start your hikes.

See if you can catch any of the residential alpine parrots around! Almost all keas have coloured and numbered bands that help to identify them. Find out more about the birds or report your sightings on the kea database!

(5) Devil’s Punchbowl Falls

The Devil’s Punchbowl Falls ranks high when it comes to the effort put in vs the view received.

You don’t have to exert a lot for the 2 km return or hour-long track to marvel at the 131m cascade.

(6) Avalanche Peak

Unlike the point above, this requires maybe ten times the effort. Depending on you, it could be ten times more awe for the panoramic view at the top. Catch the Devil’s Punchbowl Falls in its entirety from the other side.

I’ve written about my experience scaling the 1183 m peak in this post. Buffer a day for the return trip – an 1100 km vertical climb from the village!

(7) Otira Viaduct

Travel another 6.3 km or 7 mins to the Otira Viaduct lookout. Marvel at the engineering genius that went behind building the 440 m long road. The feat took more than two years to complete (1997 – 1999).

(8) Greymouth/ Hokitika

Pat yourself on the back as you cross SH73 to SH6, which should take around an hour or 70 km.

Now, which side of the West Coast would you like to venture further – up north to Greymouth or south to Hokitika? I’ve written a post about my West Coast adventures to solve that problem!

Ending

There you have it! All the good stuff on SH73 or Arthur’s Pass.

I’m sure there are more places to see on SH73. Check out Graeme’s Arthur’s Pass website for more novel activities. This guy has lived and loved the area for probably his entire life. He channelled all that passion to the site.

Have fun planning and safe travels!