|
Driving New Zealand
 Christchurch
to Arthur's Pass
State Highway 6,
One and a half - two hours
From
central Christchurch, the good and near straight two lane highway begins from Yaldhurst
passing the rural townships of Kirwee, (pub and store), and Darfield which
is a growing rural town with several cafe's, a small art
gallery arts
and crafts, hotels - motels and backpackers. It is also the point of leaving the main
highway for the town of Methven, Rakia Gorge
(picnic,
walking, jet boat recreation area) and Mt. Hutt Ski
area.
For those in a hurry, take the Old
West Coast Road, which bypasses these towns. (Turn right a
km past Yaldhurst and take 10 minutes off the travel
time)
The
highway continues through Sheffield, and
Springfield which was formerly the principal
refreshment stop for passenger trains and
the last food and fuel stop before Arthur's
Pass.
As one continues west,
the road becomes more winding as it goes up and over
the 942 meter high Porters Pass and you are then up in the
mountains. This is a
popular spot for tobogganing in winter. Side
roads (at
your own risk) past here go to Lake Coleridge and the Rakia Basin. Others go to
Porter heights, Mt. Cheeseman, and Broken
River ski fields. (Note that Porters pass is often closed by
snow in winter.)
 The
interesting limestone outcrop at Castle Hill,
is an area with an interesting history and is
both a mecca for rock climbers, and those who
like the "stone henge" atmosphere. Allow an hour or
more to explore.
Castle hill
village is a collection of retreat - holiday homes all built
to an alpine theme with a backpackers lodge.
Next for the
adventurous is Cave Stream, an underground stream and a good
place to try out caving for those with wetsuits, you can
wade and climb the length of this underground stream. Allow
2 - 4 hours and be well provisioned with a good torch and
dry clothes to change into after. Temperatures can be sub
zero and the cave is subject to flooding during rains.
Craigeburn
nature reserve is a popular place for
picnics and walking, often a day trip destination for
Canterbury people. There are many walking
trails, short and long and the roads, almost
impassable except by 4wd, are excellent for
mountain bikes. Do not take the Education Center turn off, the road is not so good,
continue for another kilometer to the picnic
area - Broken Hill turn off.
 Entering into the
Waimakariri
river valley, past the turn off to Mt. White
Station and walking tracks in the Poulter and
Eske River Valleys. The road continues up
river, past the Bealy hotel and across the
upper Waimakariri river bridge and the
entrance to many walking trials, and up the
Bealy River Valley to
Arthur's Pass Township.
Beyond
Arthur's Pass, the road climbs, past
the Temple Basin Ski area car park and the
summit of the pass and down to the
Westland. (Note that Arthurs pass is occasionally closed
by snow in winter and rockslides during wet weather.)
Click here to calculate actual distances
An alternative to driving is to take the
Trans Alpine
Express
|
