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Great mountain buttercup, Arthur’s PassKea, native only to South IslandArthur’s Pass, Southern AlpsTranzAlpine train passing Mount Torlesse, CanterburyArthur’s PassA traditional Maori hunting route between theeast and west, Arthur’s Pass is a spectacularmountain crossing from Christchurch in the eastto Greymouth on the rugged west coast. A formalroute was first carved into the mountains in 1864by surveyor Sir Arthur Dudley Dobson and waslater joined by the spectacular TranzAlpineRailway. On the western side of the Alps, wherethe rainfall is high, Arthur’s Pass National Park isclad in a dense and varied rainforest, while on thedrier eastern slopes mountain beech forests andriver flats predominate. Many peaks in the parkare over 2,000 metres high, with the highest beingMount Murchison at 2,400 metres, and so theactivities of the area tend to centre aroundwalking, climbing and skiing. The settlement atArthur’s Pass provides a small selection ofaccommodation options and magnificent day walksthat reward participants with 360 degree mountainviews and some dazzling, cascading waterfalls.The TranzAlpine RailwayMaking the great traverse of the Southern Alps,the TranzAlpine train links Christchurch on thePacific coast with Greymouth on the Tasman Sea,in a journey lasting four and a half hours. After thealluvial Canterbury Plains, the track rises steadily,hugging the contours of spectacular river valleys,to cross dramatic Arthur’s Pass before descendingthrough podocarp forest and past Lake Brunner tothe western coast. The train is comfortable andwell equiped, with an open-air viewing carriageand panoramic windows that allow you to relaxand appreciate the passing scenery.Grasmere Lodge,Arthur’s PassBoth a working farm and historic country retreat,Grasmere Lodge is tucked into a powerfulmountain landscape. The original limestonehomestead constitutes the core of the lodge withspacious purpose-built guest accommodationadded alongside. The rugged and invigoratingsetting offers the adventurous a great variety ofoutdoor pursuits such as kayaking and mountainbiking, while the den, library and outdoor heatedswimming pool offer quiet spaces to survey thelandscape and enjoy the utter peace andtranquillity of this spectacular location.Wild lupins, Arthur’s PassWilderness Lodge,Arthur’s PassWilderness Lodge was designed and created bytwo keen ecologists who strive to demonstratethat responsible travel can both contribute tothe economy and help protect the environment.Set in 24 square kilometres of nature reserve ona high country merino wool sheep station, a stayhere is an experience in itself. Local materialshave been utilised to create the 24 cosy,comfortable rooms, with careful landscapingallowing the surrounding views to take centrestage. In partnership with the Department ofConservation, the lodge’s team of ecologists hasdiscovered and fostered a host of endangeredplant and bird species and a daily programme ofnature discovery activities is included.Grasmere Lodge, Arthur’s PassWilderness Lodge, Arthur’s Passwww.audleytravel.com/newzealand l 01993 838 820 l South Island 47