Route 02 starts at the fuel station in Springs Junction with a full tank of fuel. You'll then travel along the western half of the Lewis Pass on SH7 following the path of the Inangahua River to the town of Reefton.
Reefton is the West Coast's only inland town and is located among the spectacular Paparoa and Victoria ranges on the Lewis Pass road near Victoria Conservation Park (New Zealand's largest). It is well worth a stop here to see the curious mix of old and new, it still a preserve of historic charm as many of the heritage buildings have been restored and offer an insight to the past. There is also an old steam locomotive for you to see, just a 50 m detour down a side road. The only original single engine fairlie locomotive R28 in the world, a rare steam locomotive that started it's working life in Wales, UK.
The first part of this route has 3 train connections, the second is a chance to stop and admire the old Davidson Bush locomotive on the side of the road just after Ngahere. The Davidson Bush locomotive was built around 1924 and worked until 1942 pulling timber at the Donaldson saw mill. Built in nearby Hokitika by G&D Davidson, the 25th of 26 locomotives built between 1907 and 1925, check out the interesting chain-drive mechanism to front and rear wheels.
The third train connection is a coffee stop at the Station House Cafe at Moana. Here you can look out over the train station and enjoy the beautiful views across Lake Brunner. Expect your pulse to slow almost as soon as you arrive at Lake Brunner, they say that 'trout die of old age' at Lake Brunner! Named after English explorer Thomas Brunner who's remembered for his exploration of the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island around 1846.
The dark, heavily wooded Alexander range with Mount Alexander poking it's peak out at 1958 m lets you know that you're close to the start of Arthur's Pass.
The township and the pass take their names after Arthur Dudley Dobson (1841–1934, Sir Arthur from 1931). The Chief Surveyor of Canterbury Province, Thomas Cass, had tasked Arthur Dobson to find out if there was an available pass out of the Waimakariri watershed into valleys running to the West Coast. In 1864 Arthur's brother Edward Henry Dobson joined him and accompanied him over the watershed into the valley of the Otira River. A West Coast Māori chief, Tarapuhi, told Arthur of a pass that Māori hunting-parties occasionally used. When Arthur returned to Christchurch, he sketched the country he had traversed and included it in a report to Cass. Arthur Dobson did not name the pass, which he found very steep on the western side.
When the West Coast Gold Rush began in 1864, a committee of businessmen offered a £200 prize for anyone who would find a better or more suitable pass from Canterbury over the Southern Alps to West Canterbury (the West Coast). At the same time George Dobson, (another brother), was sent to examine every available pass between the watershed of the Taramakau, Waimakariri, and the Hurunui. After examining passes at the head of every valley he reported that "Arthur's" pass was by far the most suitable for the direct crossing.
After crossing the Otira River you'll enter the Otira Gorge whose side narrow as you progress. You'll see and pass under the Otira Gorge rock shelter and Reid Falls aqueduct.
The rock shelter was constructed to capture and deflect the almost continuous rockfall from the cliffs above the gorge, this has been an issue since the roads original construction in the 1860s. This issue was exacerbated during the 1994 earthquake when considerable amounts of rock debri blocked both the highway and dammed the Otira River. The Reid Falls aqueduct was constructed to prevent flooding of the highway during heavy rainfall events.
The roof of the rock shelter is lined with thick foam pads to absorb the impact of large rocks. It has subsequently been filled by "fines" and scree that assists in the deflection of landslide material into the gorge below.
The Reid Falls aqueduct has been modified since its original construction with a vertical screen to prevent strong winds blowing the waterfall back onto the highway. This was a larger issue in winter when the water froze to the highway surface.
There is a lookout point just after the aqueduct allowing you to look back and take photos.
Next is the Otira Viaduct, a magnificent piece of modern engineering that spans 440 m in 4 spans, again there is a lookout just after it and I urge you to stop here for photos.
in between the viaduct and Arthur's Pass Village is another photo opportunity, Jack's Hut.
Built in 1879, Jack's Hut is a rare surviving example of a roadman’s cottage. All early highways were maintained by roadmen who lived with their families in cottages placed along the section they were responsible for. As the motor age and mechanisation arrived, the roadman role disappeared.
Onto Arthur's Pass Village now for a lunch stop, although you may want to stop and hike to see The Devil's Punchbowl Waterfall. Take the left turn into a car park as you reach the village, this is a short walk (1 hour return) with a very rewarding sight at the end - the falls cascading down a spectacular steep rock face in a lush mountain beech forest.
Arthur's Pass Village not only has a selection of eateries for lunch but a fuel pump too so I advise filling up.
After lunch, follow the Bealey River, it's valley forms the eastern approach to Arthur's Pass. The valley widens giving you spectacular views of the surrounding mountains as you head out of Arthur's Pass National Park.
The Cave Stream Scenic Reserve is reached after about ½ an hour from lunch. The car park and signage make it easy to find.
The Cave Stream Scenic Reserve sits among spectacular limestone outcrops, with views of the Craigieburn and Torlesse Ranges. A 362 m long cave within the reserve is one of the most outstanding natural features in the Canterbury region and is just a short walk from the car park.
Another pass is next, Porters Pass situated in the Torlesse Tussocklands Park. Porters Pass is the highest point of this route and the third-highest point on the South Island's state highway network after the Lindis Pass and the Milford Road (though this is just one metre lower). Although Arthur's Pass is better known, Porters Pass is actually a few metres higher, and it affords views of the Canterbury Plains. Centred on the Torlesse and Big Ben ranges, in Canterbury’s high country, the park attracts trampers, hunters, mountain bikers and cross-country skiers, as well as those that enjoy to just take in the magnificent landscape.
Leaving the mountains behind, the landscape flattens out and agriculture has taken over. At the small town of Sheffield, there is a final coffee stop at The Famous Sheffield Pie Shop. For well over 40 years this has always been the essential ‘stop off’ and refuel for travellers to and from the West Coast. Sample some of their award winning pies or other delicious home made produce with a coffee or take some away with you.
From here, the end of the route at Christchurch is just 50 kms away. I have ended the route at a McDonald's on the outskirts of Christchurch, this offers you the chance to sit down before finding your accommodation. I have included a few suggestions for accommodation in the links below. Like all big cities, the choice of location and type is vast.
You may want to spend 2 nights here to explore the city and the Banks Peninsula.
Banks Peninsula is one of New Zealand's most unique landforms. With endless hills, bays and hidden bush, this is nature's playground right on Christchurch's doorstep.
The resort town of Akaroa and its surrounds on the peninsular are steeped in Māori and settler history, adventures and unique experiences. Only a short drive from Christchurch, you’ll feel like you’re in another world.
Enjoy.