//
National park in New Zealand
Photo: Ville Miettinen from Helsinki, Finland, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Arthur's Pass National Park is a major national park in the heart of New Zealand's South Island. The park is a popular stop from the TranzAlpine train and has hikes both long and short. Arthur's Pass village is a small village within the park and is the location of the train station, motels, cabins and a few places to eat.
350 m west of the Arthur's Pass Visitor's Centre. Good restaurant and bar. Arthur's also has powered campervan sites and a B&B.
300 m west of Visitor's Centre. Good restaurant and bar, nice fireplace, friendly atmosphere. Home made pastries.
300 m west of Visitor's Centre across from the Wobbly Kea. Store has some basic groceries especially for camping or hiking, also has sandwiches, soup and ice cream. Pay internet access available. (The store closes at 6PM).
To the left as you drive in to the town from Greymouth. This is an owner-away accommodation run on an honesty box system. Sleeps eight in the main hall (mattresses and pillows provided, sleeping bags required), and has a kitchen and lounge attached. Internet is consistent in price and speed with place down the road. Either ring ahead or when you get there, pick up the phone under the balcony.
Nice motel with a few rooms and en suite cabins. 400 m towards Christchurch from the Visitor's Centre, not far from the train station. Friendly owner, cheap internet available.
Howard's Hut
A private lodge in the deep mountains of the Lake Grace area of Arthur's Pass National Park. It has been refurbished and includes a flush toilet, shower and electricity.
200 m towards Christchurch from the Visitor's Centre, not far from the train station. Friendly owners.
24 bed hostel, 2 motel units and two 8-bed railway cottages from the 1900s.
A building from the 1865 filled with antiques. Gollum sits atop the building, and Gandalf guards the pigpen. Meals served (a variety of burgers with chips $16, fish and chips $20), full bar.
By car
State Highway 73 goes through Arthur's Pass. The road is majestic and beautiful but can be test of nerves for the driver.
By bus
Arthur's Pass is a small village built along Highway 73. You can easily walk to anywhere in town. Highway 73 is one of only three crossings to New Zealand's west coast.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Regional · HKK
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Arthur's Pass National Park and New Zealand.
Travel tipsCompare and apply for the Australia ETA and New Zealand NZeTA in 2026. Step-by-step mobile app guides, fees, the IVL levy, and trans-Tasman rules.
8 min read
InspirationThe best places to visit in January for winter sun, deep powder snow and wildlife, comparing Niseko, Sri Lanka, Tromsø and New Zealand.
7 min read
Travel tipsFive of the best countries for solo female travellers, featuring safe night streets, easy public transit, and essential neighbourhood safety tips.
6 min read
Culture & historyExplore famous movie and tv filming locations around the world, from King's Landing in Dubrovnik to the Hogwarts viaduct in Scotland.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.