A National Treasure Awaits Explorers to Arthurs Pass By Brendon Gilchrist In the heart of the Southern Alps, which is a short 1 hour 19 minute drive from Greymouth or a 2 hour drive from Christchurch, you will arrive at a small village called Arthurs Pass which is on the south western side of Arthurs Pass National Park. I have been hiking, climbing and exploring this National Park for many years. It has always drawn me as a place to go and explore. The diversity of attractions is so much more then what most people will ever think, but you need to walk or climb to reach these stunning destinations. Within the township you will often see Kea, standing on top of the railway station, hanging out at the cafe, or outside the Wobbly Kea. Yes, you read it right, that is the name of a cafe/restaurant in the village! Devils Punch Bowl is a large waterfall that towers 131 meters from top to bottom that can be accessed from the western end of the village, a one hour return walk from the car park. You'll find great views over to the other mountains, a lively forest of native birds, and a viewing platform looking towards the mighty Devils Punch Bowl. The famous Punch Bowl Branch can be viewed from here. A focal length on your camera of about 100mm will capture this world famous branch. Arthurs Pass offers something for everyone from easy day walks to difficult mountaineering and rock climbing routes. There are hiking huts, large tarns (Mountain Lakes) to camp beside and even hot springs. Where do you begin? Due to the diversity, it’s one of those places where you’ll see or do incredible things, but beware of the weather, as it can and will change quickly. To start off, Bealey Spur is an easy day walk that walks through lush bush then enters onto golden tussock tops overlooking the Waimakarir river and all its braids. The view is such a classic New Zealand south island river. The 6 <strong>NZPhotographer</strong> hut was built in 1935 and used as a base for high country sheep farming until 1978 when it was retired and added to Arthur’s Pass National Park. It is a must do and a must see. On the other side of the scale is a hike to 3 Alpine Tarns which are located within Kelly Range and Carol Hut. It's a solid 3 hours to Carol Hut and an extra 1 hour walk will get you within reach of the parks best kept secret. You can camp almost anywhere near the Tarns. On the left side of the mountain, there is a large slip, if you are careful you can walk down and stand where water is gushing out the side of the mountain. You can feel the earth tremble below you. I remember the taste of the water was so fresh, suprisingly freezing cold even though it was summer. Arthurs Pass is also home to Canterbury Mountaineering. A base for so many peaks, from easy peaks like Avalanche Peak at 1883 meters high to the more advanced Mount Temple at 1913 meters mostly needing rope skills. There's also Mount Rolleston at 2275 meters, or the more longer access peaks of Mt Murchison at 2302 meters. From entry level climbing on rock and ice in winter to the more advanced climbing routes, there are just so many different peaks to think of, so many valleys to walk up, so much diversity in wildlife here. You'll find 5 different ski fields, forests, glacier's and beautiful streams and rivers, wide open fields of tussock grass, and tarns right below mountain peaks, or nestled in golden tussock grass. Standing on top of these mountains looking at more mountains will give you moments of pure joy as you ponder life and the world we live in. “We do not climb the mountain, the mountain climbs us.” I love this place. Due to its size (1,185 km2) it manages to have everything. There is no other park in New Zealand quite as unique as this one. I hope you will read this, see the photos, and then start to plan a trip to this unique place.
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