Arthur’s Pass

On Friday I got to drive over Arthur’s Pass.  I think it might be my first time over there since I was a child.  It is a stunningly beautiful and rugged drive, and one every New Zealander should do at least once.

Driving between Greymouth and Hokitika one gets to cross this great bridge prior to the turn off (which is next to start of the Coast to Coast).  I love getting to drive along train tracks – the only problem was at the end of the bridge I started to follow the tracks instead of the road 🙂

How many places on Earth can you drive surrounded by scenery like this?  I’ve driven around Australia, the US, parts of the UK and we just don’t realise how lucky we are.

Had to grab this photo as I was driving along and saw this chute diverting the water from the road.

A few hundred metres later there was a lookout where one could get a photo also.  Great views as one is near the peak here.

At the lookout was this poor little fellow.  It was bloody cold.  After the peak I got to Arthur’s Pass hamlet where there birds everywhere.  Had a quick meal in the cafe to warm up.  This is right up close to the skifields.

After crossing the pass, the sun came out, and the views on the other side just as good.

It really should be a mandatory drive.  I won’t wait so long to do it again.