Things to do in Arthur's Pass
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Arthur's Pass National Park
Arthur's Pass National Park is located between the ancient roads east to west of Canterbury to the West Bank. It is the third national park in New Zealand. The main landscape features are steep and steep slopes, as well as a network of rivers and steep canyons. There are many accommodation options in the area around the national park, from lodges to backpacker lodges. There are also thirty cottages and simple camping sites in the park. The visitor center of Arthur's Pass is the starting point of the hiking trail. There are many climbing routes here, and the scenery along the way is very beautiful.Arthur's Pass · 13.1 km from downtown
Castle Hill, New Zealand
Castle Hill, New Zealand is located along the road from Christchurch to Arthur's Pass and the West Coast, and is an alpine meadow surrounded by the Torlesse Range and the Craigieburn Range. Thousands of limestone boulders are scattered across the meadow. Sculpted over years by wind, frost, and rain, they have rounded contours and are riddled with holes, looking from a distance like the ruins of an ancient stone city. It was once a route for Māori traveling between the east and west coasts and holds special significance for local Māori tribes, while various rare alpine plants grow among the rock faces and the meadow. This boulder field is famous in the climbing community, where the pockets and holds on the rock faces create many unique bouldering routes, making it one of the iconic sites for rock climbing in New Zealand.Castle Hill · 32.7 km from Arthur's Pass
Arthur's Pass Walking Track
Arthur's Pass · 1.4 km from downtown
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park
Of all of New Zealand's 27 mountains over 3050m, 22 are in Mount Cook National Park. One of the more spectacular is Mount Cook, which is 3,755 meters high. 1. Experience New Zealand's large glacier up close - a third of the Tasman Glacier Mount Cook National Park is covered with snow or ice all year round. Here, you can experience New Zealand's largest glacier, the Tasman Glacier, up close. Take the bus to the beautiful Tasman Valley, and your guide will lead you on a leisurely half-hour hike to the end lake of the Tasman Glacier. Board a boat here to explore this iceberg lake full of small icebergs and ever-changing. Feel the glacier with your hands as the boat makes its way up close to these little icebergs! If you are a photography enthusiast, this trip will be an unforgettable memory of your trip to New Zealand! 2. Aerial view of magnificent natural beauty by helicopter There is another way to enjoy the magnificent view of Mount Cook - take a helicopter view of this amazing natural beauty from the sky. Here are some professionally operated aerial tour companies that will take you off from GlentannerPark at the base of Mount Cook to see Mount Cook from above and explore the heart of Mount Cook National Park. Professional pilots will enthusiastically share their knowledge of the region with you.New Zealand · Gammack
Cardboard Cathedral
Cardboard Cathedral is a transitional church built in Christchurch after the 2011 earthquake. Completed in 2013, it was built to replace the old Gothic cathedral in the city center that was severely damaged in the earthquake. It was designed by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, who is famous for his paper tube architecture and has long used paper tube structures for post-disaster reconstruction around the world. The building itself is worth a close look. It has an overall A-frame shape and stands over 20m tall. The two sloping sides are lined with nearly 100 rigid paper tubes, which have been treated to be waterproof and fire-retardant. The gaps between them allow daylight to gently filter into the interior, and the entrance features a large triangular window made of stained glass. The interior can accommodate about 700 people. Wooden pews and soft lighting make the space quiet and peaceful, and it is also frequently used for concerts and community events.New Zealand · Christchurch
Lake Tekapo
Lake Tekapo is located in the Mackenzie Basin in the central part of the South Island of New Zealand. It is a lake formed by glacial meltwater, with a surface altitude of approx. 700 m and an area of approx. 80 sq km. The lake water displays a distinct turquoise color, making it stand out in the alpine scenery of the South Island. This unique color comes from fine rock flour ground by glaciers: as glaciers move slowly, they grind rock layers into extremely fine particles, which flow into the lake with the meltwater and remain suspended for a long time. Under sunlight, the water color shifts between milky blue and emerald green, changing with the weather and light. The lake is surrounded by the peaks of the Southern Alps and open meadows. Standing on the lakeshore are the stone-built The Church of the Good Shepherd and a bronze statue of a sheepdog, which together with the lake and mountain scenery behind them form a common photo opportunity. Ascending Mount John on one side of the lake area also offers a panoramic view of the intertwined lake and basin. Lake Tekapo is also part of the Waitaki hydroelectric power system—the lake water is diverted for power generation, and the lake level is artificially regulated, rising and falling regularly within a certain range throughout the year. The lake area is far from city lights and has excellent night sky conditions; on clear nights, you can see the clear Milky Way and Southern Hemisphere constellations, and stargazing is a long-standing local experience. From late spring to early summer each year, the lakeshore is covered in patches of lupins, with pink and purple flower belts spreading along the shore; in other seasons, it takes on a simple color palette composed of snow-capped mountains, clear water, and short grass, with the scenery changing with the seasons. Walking, cycling, or boating along the lake are common ways to experience this alpine lake.New Zealand · Tekapo
Mount John
Mount John is the commanding height of the town of Lake Tekapo. From the top of the mountain, you can overlook the panoramic view of Lake Tekapo and the town. There is a famous star-gazing point MtJohnUniversityObservatory on the top of the mountain, and you can experience the world-famous starry sky of Tekapo at night.New Zealand · Tekapo
Wānaka
Wānaka is backed by the Southern Alps and is a lakeside town that blends refined living, family vacations, and outdoor adventure. Cafes, restaurants, and unique shops in the town center line the lakeshore. Just a few steps away, you can sit by the water and watch the snow-capped mountains reflected in the clear lake. The lone willow tree standing in the lake is an iconic image of the town. The soft light during the morning mist and at sunset are popular times for photography. The town has a deep connection with aviation. You can book sightseeing flights, helicopter tours, or skydiving at the airport to overlook Lake Wānaka and the glacial peaks of Mount Aspiring from the air. The town hosts a biennial airshow featuring classic military aircraft, a traditional local event. During the winter ski season, ski resorts such as Cardrona and Treble Cone are within a 1-hour drive. In spring and summer, the Roy's Peak track attracts many hikers with its panoramic views of Lake Wānaka. It is also a convenient base if you want to venture into Mount Aspiring National Park for hiking or mountaineering.New Zealand · Wanaka
Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway
Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway is a loop trail that extends along the peninsula's coastline. Completing the full route takes about three hours, though you can also choose to walk just a section depending on your time and energy levels. This route is distinguished by its "mountains and sea in one frame" scenery, with reefs and waves on one side and mountains on the other. In winter, the peaks are snow-capped, and you can often capture the snow-capped mountains and the sea in a single view. Numerous information boards are set up along the route, detailing the peninsula's geological formation, Māori history, and early whaling past. The trail is divided into multiple sections, allowing visitors to choose different routes based on their time and energy levels.The trail circles the entire peninsula, offering opportunities to enjoy magnificent sea views and abundant wildlife. Along the way, visitors can spot seals, seabirds, and the occasional dolphin, experiencing a close encounter with nature.New Zealand · Kaikoura
Lake Pukaki
Lake Pukaki is nestled among the mountains of the Canterbury region and is a large lake in the northern Mackenzie Basin that flows from north to south. When ancient glaciers retreated, moraine deposits blocked the river valley, forming a dammed lake, making it a typical moraine-dammed lake. Fine rock flour ground by glaciers over the years remains suspended in the water, scattering light into a rich milky blue and turquoise color, resembling a whole lake of poured, rich milk, which is how it earned the nickname "Blue Milk Lake." The lake surface is at an altitude of over 500 m, and the lake water mainly comes from the meltwater of the Tasman Glacier and Hooker Glacier. Looking north, you can see the continuous snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps. On clear days, standing at the viewing point on the southern shore, you can capture both the snow-capped peaks and the lake in your camera lens.New Zealand · Ben Ohau
Experiences you can't miss in Arthur's Pass
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Free things to do in Arthur's Pass
Arthur's Pass National Park
Arthur's Pass · 13.1 km from downtownCastle Hill, New Zealand
Castle Hill · 32.7 km from Arthur's PassArthur's Pass Walking Track
Arthur's Pass · 1.4 km from downtownAoraki/Mount Cook National Park
New Zealand · GammackCardboard Cathedral
New Zealand · ChristchurchLake Tekapo
New Zealand · TekapoMount John
New Zealand · TekapoWānaka
New Zealand · WanakaKaikoura Peninsula Walkway
New Zealand · KaikouraLake Pukaki
New Zealand · Ben Ohau
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What travelers say about Arthur's Pass
旅の径September 3, 2020
4.0
Located on the main road between Christchurch on the east coast of New Zealand's South Island and Greymouth on the west coast, it attracts many tourists.
The snow-capped mountains, cascading waterfalls, clear lakes, magnificent glaciers, and especially the diverse hiking trails and meticulous travel services have won the favor of many climbers.
For most tourists who travel around the South Island, if they start from Christchurch, they can take Arthur's Pass as the first stop and appetizer; if they take Christchurch as the end point, they must be visually fatigued when they see Arthur's Pass.
Arthur's Pass National Park
acyeverydayMarch 13, 2026
5.0
Majestic Middle Earth! Only 1.5 hours from Christchurch you need to visit Castle Hill! Natural limestone rock formations located in the Kura Tawhiti Conservation Area. Being surrounded by greenery and various rocks is an amazing sight. Hike and explore this land and waterways which holds significant importance to Ngāi Tahu 🏞On route you should also stop at the famous Sheffield Pies. A New Zealand pie is a classic for us kiwis!
Castle Hill, New Zealand
赶景August 5, 2026
4.0
The Lin'an Art Museum is located inside the Wu-Yue Cultural Park, which also houses the Lin'an Museum and the Wu-Yue Cultural Museum. The art museum is not large, but it is quite exquisitely decorated, and the surrounding environment is fantastic. You can visit it while you are at the museum.
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park
E04***80December 15, 2025
5.0
To see the cardboard church, it's important to understand its origins and story. When I visited, I happened to encounter a Maori students' choir, and the headmaster gave me a brochure about the church's reconstruction after an earthquake.
Cardboard Cathedral
铨上风满楼February 21, 2026
4.0
Located a popular tourist destination a 3.25-hour drive southwest of Christchurch on New Zealand's South Island… the scenery here is breathtaking. The Church of the Good Shepherd is a must-see. If driving from Christchurch to Queenstown, this is a great stopover! It's also perfect for a weekend getaway, with a small hot spring nearby… a good place to unwind after a long drive… and a popular spot for photographers to capture stunning images!
Lake Tekapo
jing0lingJanuary 22, 2024
5.0
nice place with nice Astro Cafe, Astro cafe opening hour is depends on the weather. if is too windy they will close.
Mount John
Jocelyn8July 9, 2023
5.0
I went to a vineyard in Wanaka and the view was beautiful and photos turned out to be great! 🏞
Wānaka
RingfileJuly 12, 2026
5.0
The peninsula trails are beautiful. They're only a ten-minute drive from where you've finished whale watching. One trail runs up the mountain, offering panoramic views of the bay; the other is along the beach, leading to Seal Point where you can get up close to groups of baby seals. If you have time, you should definitely explore both; they offer completely different scenery.
Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway
王海娃子July 1, 2020
5.0
Lake Pukaki is as calm, blue and beautiful as many other lakes on New Zealand's South Island, with snow-capped mountains as the background. The fresh salmon from the lakeside farm is really irresistible.
Lake Pukaki
