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Arthur's Pass National Park
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Arrowtown
In Arrowtown, an authentic gold mining town from the 1860’s, stroll through the “western-styled” main street, ringed with cafes, pubs and arts and crafts shops. The informative Lakes District Museum features an excellent collection of gold mining relics. Not long after the first European settlers established farms in the Wakatipu area, gold was discovered. The find was concealed for a short time, but news soon spread. In 1862 Jack Tewa, a shearer, found gold in Arrow River. Arrowtown, originally named Fox’s, began to populate as news of gold in the Arrow River spread. Within weeks, 1,500 people in search of golden treasure arrived and built shanties on the riverbank that were washed away in a violent spring flood. The following year, the town was rebuilt more solidly on the terraces above the riverbank, and Arrowtown’s population grew to almost 7,000 at the height of the gold rush. Not far away, the action continues as the Old Kawarau Bridge, where people of all ages bungee jump straight down to the Kawarau River, a daring drop of 120 feet!
Lake Moeraki
View the beautiful Lake Moeraki via a fleet of canoes which offer you a unique perspective of the lake and the Moeraki River – or brave the Moeraki rapids for the more adventurous traveler!
Arthur's Pass National Park
Arthur's Pass National Park is located on New Zealand's south island in the heart of the Southern Alps on the untamed west coast. It is the highest pass over the Southern Alps, used by Maori hunting parties as a hunting route long before it was officially discovered by Arthur Dobson in 1864. Enjoy viewing rare birds and wildlife, take guided nature adventures along the seacoasts and through ancient rainforests, or enjoy the views via TranzAlpine Train. Walks, skiing and mountaineering are popular activities in Arthur's Pass, and there are routes for all abilities.
Franz Josef Glacier
The South Island's most renowned explorer and geologist, Julius von Haast, named Franz Josef Glacier after the Emperor of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Franz Josef Glacier is a remnant of a much older, larger glacier which flowed from the alpine snowfields right to the sea. The glacier is over 7.5 miles long extending into the rainforest just 3 miles from the Franz Josef township, making it easy to visit. Walk to viewpoints and the terminal face or, for a close-up view of the spectacular ice formations, take a guided glacier walk, helihike or scenic flight.
Lake Wanaka
In Arrowtown, an authentic gold mining town from the 1860’s, stroll through the “western-styled” main street, ringed with cafes, pubs and arts and crafts shops. The informative Lakes District Museum features an excellent collection of gold mining relics. Not long after the first European settlers established farms in the Wakatipu area, gold was discovered. The find was concealed for a short time, but news soon spread. In 1862 Jack Tewa, a shearer, found gold in Arrow River. Arrowtown, originally named Fox’s, began to populate as news of gold in the Arrow River spread. Within weeks, 1,500 people in search of golden treasure arrived and built shanties on the riverbank that were washed away in a violent spring flood. The following year, the town was rebuilt more solidly on the terraces above the riverbank, and Arrowtown’s population grew to almost 7,000 at the height of the gold rush. Not far away, the action continues as the Old Kawarau Bridge, where people of all ages bungee jump straight down to the Kawarau River, a daring drop of 120 feet!
View the beautiful Lake Moeraki via a fleet of canoes which offer you a unique perspective of the lake and the Moeraki River – or brave the Moeraki rapids for the more adventurous traveler!
Arthur's Pass National Park is located on New Zealand's south island in the heart of the Southern Alps on the untamed west coast. It is the highest pass over the Southern Alps, used by Maori hunting parties as a hunting route long before it was officially discovered by Arthur Dobson in 1864. Enjoy viewing rare birds and wildlife, take guided nature adventures along the seacoasts and through ancient rainforests, or enjoy the views via TranzAlpine Train. Walks, skiing and mountaineering are popular activities in Arthur's Pass, and there are routes for all abilities.
The South Island's most renowned explorer and geologist, Julius von Haast, named Franz Josef Glacier after the Emperor of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Franz Josef Glacier is a remnant of a much older, larger glacier which flowed from the alpine snowfields right to the sea. The glacier is over 7.5 miles long extending into the rainforest just 3 miles from the Franz Josef township, making it easy to visit. Walk to viewpoints and the terminal face or, for a close-up view of the spectacular ice formations, take a guided glacier walk, helihike or scenic flight.
