Arthur's Pass

Description

NameArthur's PassDescriptionArthur’s Pass is an alpine village nestled in the Southern Alps (Kā Tiritiri-o-te-Moana). The village was established as a resting place for horse-drawn coaches before they tackled Otira Gorge on the journey to the West Coast goldfields. It was named after explorer Arthur Dobson who was tasked with finding a direct route to the West Coast. The quest for a road over the pass became a matter of urgency after gold was discovered on the West Coast in 1865.
At the turn of the century the population of Arthur’s Pass grew to include the tunnellers who drilled the 8km Otira Tunnel. The tunnel was cut through the main divide and completed the rail link between the east and west coasts of the South Island in 1923. Canterbury people eventually took over the tunnellers’ cottages as holiday homes, Arthur’s Pass Village is still closely associated with the railway. The TranzAlpine train from Christchurch stops here on its journeys west and east. The village is a gateway to many walks in the Arthur's Pass National Park, including the spectacular Devils Punchbowl waterfall. Geolocation^[1]

Connections

CollectionClub ski fields in our alpine playgroundPersonGrace ButlerPlaceOtiraOrganisationArthur's Pass AssociationImageDevils Punchbowl from walking trackVideoDevils Punchbowl NarrativeCrossing the Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te MoanaBealey Hotel and its colourful pastMore Informationhttps://youtu.be/6acPX_00M9Q Watch .....heavy snowfall, June 2012'Arthur's Pass - the Playground of Canterbury' in New Zealand Railways Magazine, 1 November 1927 Last edited by: Sarah Davy

'How Arthur's Pass Was Discovered' by James Cowan in New Zealand Railways Magazine, 1 October, 1928 Last edited by: Sarah Davy

Attribution

Researched ByKMWritten BySelwyn Heritage Collection

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Arthur's Pass