Greymouth to Christchurch
West Coast to Canterbury Self Drive Travel Guide.
Travel Facts
Distance: 250 km (158 miles)
Approximately: 3 hours 40 minutes
Road Conditions:
State Highway 6 Greymouth to Kumara Junction
State Highway 73 Kumara Junction to Christchurch.
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Greymouth - Kumara - Otira - Arthur's Pass - Springfield - Christchurch
The drive south on State Highway 6 from Greymouth is approximately 20 minutes to Paroa, the Taramakau river and on to Kumara Junction.
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Do slow down when approaching the Taramakau River bridge, this is a one lane carrage way that also allows for the passage of trains, be sure it is clear before driving on.
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. From the Junction follow the signs east for Arthur's Pass and Christchurch.
Greymouth - Kumara - Otira - Arthur's Pass - Springfield - Christchurch
The drive inland to Arthur's Pass begins through farmland and stands of native bush on lengthy straights interspersed with winding sections as we follow the Taramakau River up to Jacksons and the Otira Gorge.
Before crossing the summit of Arthur's Pass the road rises 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.
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Just before 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.
This area was a source of gold and Greenstone. Some of the best Greenstone came as a bonus from the gold mining activities - it is an unusually dark green, almost black.
Following the latest upgrades to the road through the Otira Gorge, which was always a problem with falling rocks, slips and steep gradients in icy conditions, means these problems are gone and you now travel across sweeping viaducts.
Welcome to Arthur's Pass Village.
The settlement of Arthur's Pass is a base for climbing, hiking, hunting and skiing adventures in the adjacent national park. There is a good choice of short walks. A stop at the information centre is a must as you go by. They always have a good set of information as well as periodic talks by DOC, guided walks etc.
The name of the Pass and township is from 'Arthur Dudley Dobson' who re-discovered the old Maori Alpine route in 1864. The village is unique in New Zealand as one of the true mountain villages and sits 5 kilometres to the east (Canterbury side) of the Pass summit, which marks the boundary with the West Coast.
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Greymouth - Kumara - Otira - Arthur's Pass - Springfield - Christchurch
As the journey continues on the first few kilometres east of Arthur's Pass Village the deep beech forest seems to arch overhead where on the hottest of summer days in the infamous Canterbury Nor' Wester the change of temperature can be a welcome relief. While in winter the road may be still frosted with snow.
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Near the Bealey you will experience unsurpassed views of the majestic mountain ranges at the head waters of the Waimakariri. These are places of permanent snow.
The route over Arthur's Pass contains one feature that was once common to all New Zealand roads, the single lane bridge. The turn off the bridge at Bealey, on the southern bank (Canterbury end) is sharp so please be careful.
Apart from this throw back to an almost forgotten era, today the Arthur's route is a sophisticated mountain pass, memorable for its scenery as well as its breathtaking civil engineering.
The road now winds through the skiing area of Porter Heights and Craigieburn as it follows the Waimakariri (literally Cold Water) and Bealey Rivers down to the Canterbury foothills and Porters Pass.
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Southern Alps, New Zealand |
Lakes Pearson (photo right) and Grasmere are photo opportunities along the way. Lake Pearson is situated just before Castle Rock. The scree fans from mountains on either side have almost pinched it in two, resulting in a classical hourglass shaped lake.
Approximately 90 kilometres from Christchurch, Porters Pass rises to 945 metres at it's summit so while you may have thought you left the Alpine Ranges at Arthur's you had in fact only crossed the first hurdle, Porters Pass is still to be crossed.
It is incredible to think that thousands of diggers walked, trudged and dragged themselves over this pass in search of their fortunes during the gold rush years on the West Coast.
This is a lengthy, twisting, steep downhill run from the top of the pass, please be careful, especially in wet or icy conditions.
The Southern Alps backdrop the Canterbury plains where Christchurch sits at the Eastern Edge on a drained swamp at the base of Akaroa peninsular.
Greymouth - Kumara - Otira - Arthur's Pass - Springfield - Christchurch
At Springfield you have another opportunity for that scenic photo of the majestic Southern Alps at the back of the Canterbury Plains before beginning the final leg of the journey to Christchurch.
Rural serenity and friendly towns lead you across the Canterbury Plains on long gentlly falling straights from Springfield through Sheffield, Darfield and Kirwee to Christchurch.
Christchurch
Christchurch is the South Island's largest city and an enviting mixture of refined lifestyle and cultural excitement. The Avon River meanders through the city which is home to many historic buildings housing a lively arts community, the restored Trams make it easy to get around.
Visit heritage sites, museums and art galleries, and enjoy the highly developed restaurant scene.
At the city center is Cathedral Square and the famous 'Cathedral,' stone church is probably a more accurate description - as it must be the smallest Cathedral in the world. However, that is more than enough of Christchurch - if anyone comes to New Zealand to see the towns and cities then they are missing the best of Aotearoa and the point.
Welcome to Christchurch - enjoy your stay.
This Guide Last Updated: February 2011
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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