Author(s): Department of Conservation

Travel

Arthur's Pass National Park was created in 1929, becoming the first national park in the South Island and the third in New Zealand after Tongariro and Egmont. The gazettal of this park bought to fruition the campaigning of individuals and interest groups who lobbied for its creation. This upsurge of interest in the area coincided with the development of the then novel pursuits of tramping, skiing and mountaineering. The park is noted for its alpine flowers, variety of splendid mountain scenery and recreation values. Arthur's Pass is one of the most easily accessible of all New Zealand's national parks being close to the major population centre of Christchurch. State Highway 73 passes through the middle of the park and crosses Arthur's Pass (920 metres), which is the main access route to the West Coast. Arthur's Pass National Park is managed by the Deparment of Conservation under the provisions of the National Parks Act 1980. Like all national parks, it was gazetted for the purpose of "preserving in perpetuity...areas of New Zealand that contain scenery of such distinctive quality, ecological systems, or natural features so beautiful, unique or scientifically important that their preservation is in the national interest." Scale 1 : 80 000