Arthurs Pass To Greymouth
West Coast Self Drive Travel Guide.
Travel Facts
Distance: 84 km (53 miles)
Approximately: 1 hour 40 minutes
Road Conditions:
State Highway 73 Arthurs Pass Village to Kumara Junction
State Highway 6 Kumara Junction to Greymouth
This guide sponsored by: Chapel Hill B&B, Greymouth
Once you are through the pass, the misty mountains gradually give way to classic west coast river and forest scenery. Rushing water, impressive bridges and tiny towns are soulfully picturesque.
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Just after Arthur's Pass village, and only about 1km from the top of the pass itself, you pass Mount Rolleston. Kea, New Zealand's Alpine Parrot frequent this area, clowning for handouts and then ripping the rubber seal from your windscreen when you're not looking.
After crossing the summit of Arthurs the road descends into the steep bush clad Otira Gorge on the West Coast side of the alps. Otira was once a busy railway settlement at the western end of the 8.6km rail tunnel through the Alps. This is an area of rugged natural beauty especially so when the Rata are blooming.
Following the latest upgrades to the road to the West Coast through the Otira Gorge, which was a problem with slips and steep gradients in icy conditions, you now travel across sweeping viaducts in ease. Although in the winter months the Pass road between Canterbury and the West Coast can still be closed by ice and snow.
The West coast is on the prevailing weather side of the island, and has huge rainfall as a result - over 6 metres annually in Milford Sound, But only around 3 metres in the Arthur's Pass area. With the Alps dividing the Island from top to bottom, the East coast is resultantly drier, while the lush West Coast is still mostly blanketed in temperate rain-forest.
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Following the winding road and long straights down from the Otira Gorge you will come to the historic Jackson's Hotel as the road winds it's way down to Kumara and the Junction with State Highway 6.
The Kumara Junction is a another unique carriage way of New Zealand with the rail line between Greymouth and Hokitika running through it. Remember Trains always have the right of way.
On to Chapel Hill B&B
From Kumara Junction follow the signs north toward Greymouth and the Taramakau road rail bridge. Do slow down when approaching the bridge and be sure it is clear before driving onto it.
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The drive north is approximately 20 minutes to Paroa and the turn into Rutherglen Road, that will take you to Chapel Hill B&B. For precise directions from Paroa to Chapel Hill please see the information on www.chapelhill.co.nz
From Paroa it is just 8 minutes drive to Chapel Hill where Joy, John and Crash are looking forward to welcoming you to their little piece of paradise.
Look for the Chapel Hill sign (photo right), on Rutherglen Road, approximately five minutes after you pass Shantytown, which is perfectly located for the start of tomorrows adventures on the West Coast.
Welcome to Greymouth - enjoy your stay
This Guide last Updated: October 2010
Driving Distance and Times
The distances and times within the Travel Guides are based on travel at an average of 80 to 90kmph in good weather and light to medium traffic, allowing for a break of 10 minutes from driving in each full hour.
Allow extra time for:
Sight seeing, Heavier traffic conditions, Inclement weather and any other needs you have.
There are many factors beyond the authors and our control that can and will impact upon the true distance travelled and time taken to complete any journey.
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