Mountain view up the Waimakariri River, the gateway to Arthur's Pass National Park
Arthur’s Pass National Park is in the heart of the Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana. Its high mountains with large scree slopes, steep gorges and wide braided rivers straddle the main divide – the ‘back bone’ of the South Island – between Canterbury and the West Coast.
It is a park of contrasts, with dry beech/tawhai forest in the east, luxuriant rainforest on western slopes, and a historic highway and railway running through the middle. Arthur’s Pass was established in 1929 and was New Zealand’s third national park and the first one in the South Island.
View the Arthur's Pass brochure (PDF, 3,776K).
Arthur's Pass National Park is situated between Canterbury and the West Coast in the South Island of New Zealand.
Find out about the day walks, overnight tracks and routes and mountaineering activities in Arthur's Pass National Park.
Find out about backcountry huts and campsite in the park. There are plenty of other accommodation options in Arthur's Pass village.
Weather conditions can change rapidly with little warning. All visitors should be well equipped and properly prepared.
High in the Southern Alps, the tiny 40-strong community in Arthur’s Pass Village are committed bunch of locals. Watch this video to find out how this community has a mission to protect kiwi.
This plan guides the Department of Conservation in the management of Arthur's Pass National Park until 2017.
This field trip explores Temple Basin, where students can learn about life forms within an Alpine Region and the history and current plans of Temple Basin and Arthur’s Pass National Park.
Find businesses that are DOC-approved to provide activities and services in Arthur's Pass National Park.
Weather for Arthur's Pass National Park
NZ weather
DOC maps: Discover the outdoors - DOC's key places, campsites, tracks and huts, and visitor centres on a map
Check, Clean, Dry between waterways and stop the spread of didymo.
Follow the Outdoor Safety Code:1. Plan your trip2. Tell someone3. Be aware of the weather4. Know your limits5. Take sufficient supplies
Safety