Arthur’s Pass & Otira Gorge

Arthur's Pass & Otira Gorge
Day Safari Tour

New Zealand’s Southern Alps (Kā Tiritiri o te Moana) are the backbone of the South Island, extending almost down its entire length. Arthur’s Pass National Park – with its diverse landscape of high mountains, wide slopes, steep gorges and wide rivers – straddles the Main Divide right at the heart of this geographical phenomenon.

Your journey will take you from Christchurch on the world-famous TranzAlpine™ train, across the flat, wide expanses of the Canterbury Plains to where the landscape dramatically changes to sub-alpine. As you head towards the spectacular Southern Alps, you’ll pass through the high country surrounded by rugged, beautiful mountain ranges and enter Arthur’s Pass National Park.

What's included

  • TranzAlpine™ train Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass
  • Sight-seeing the beautiful alpine scenery
  • Easy guided walks to experience the varied landscapes
  • Picnic morning tea, and picnic afternoon tea / wine and cheese stop
  • Restaurant lunch
  • Group Size – Private tours for 1-10, larger private tours by arrangement

Tour Details

You’ll see the mighty Waimakariri River’s unique braided riverbed system, world-renowned as an outstanding natural landscape feature, which has its headwaters in the heart of the Main Divide. Then, you’ll follow the old stage-coach route, built in the 1860’s, down to the spectacular Otira Gorge (in twenty-first century comfort, of course). This was the route taken by the Maori in their quest for greenstone.

Explore & Discover

You’ll be guided on short walks to experience forests, rivers and mountain vistas, where you may see one of the cheeky indigenous Alpine parrots, the Kea. On your return journey, we’ll take you to Cave Stream Reserve – where the filming of C S Lewis’s “The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe took place – and the Castle Hill Rocks, Kura Tawhiti, larger than life and an unforgettable almost spiritual place to explore and experience.

Your Arthur's Pass experience awaits

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