A legendary drive to Arthur's Pass in NZ

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!