Arthur's Pass

==Facilities and attractions==

==Facilities and attractions==

[[File:Arthur's Pass Visitor Centre MRD 01.jpg|thumb|Visitor Centre (built 1959, closed 2019)]]Visitor accommodation is provided, from camp ground up to hotel standard. The township provides a general store, a petrol station, tea rooms and restaurants. Arthur's Pass is well known as a starting point for many excellent tramping tracks within the Arthur's Pass National Park. There are also several good walks from here, including the Devil's Punchbowl Falls,<ref>[http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/canterbury/north-canterbury-and-arthurs-pass/arthurs-pass-short-walking-tracks/ Short walking tracks in Arthur's Pass], Department of Conservation.</ref> Bealey Valley<ref>[http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/canterbury/north-canterbury-and-arthurs-pass/arthurs-pass-half-day-walks/ Half-day walks in Arthur's Pass], Department of Conservation.</ref> and Avalanche Peak.<ref>[http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/canterbury/north-canterbury-and-arthurs-pass/arthurs-pass-day-walks/ Day walks in Arthur's Pass], Department of Conservation.</ref> The mischievous [[kea]] (New Zealand mountain parrot) can be found here.

[[File:Arthur's Pass Visitor Centre MRD 01.jpg|thumb|Visitor Centre (built 1959, closed 2019)]]

New Zealand's first national park visitor centre was built in Arthur's Pass in 1959, with the help of the Christchurch Wanderers Tramping Club. It was designed by Christchurch architect [[Paul Pascoe]] and used local stone to reflect the geology of the national park.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Shaun Barnett &|first=Chris Maclean|title=Tramping A New Zealand History|publisher=Craig Potton Publishing|year=2014|location=Nelson, New Zealand|pages=191–192}}</ref> As well as [[Department of Conservation (New Zealand)|Department of Conservation]] offices, the building housed museum displays on the history of Arthur's Pass (including [[Richard Seddon]]'s stagecoach) and archives detailing the history of the National Park. In 2019 the building was declared earthquake prone, and the visitor centre was moved to a [[Portable building|portacabin]] across the road. The cost to upgrade the building to the required standard was estimated at NZ$3 million.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-05-07|title=Arthur's Pass residents fight to save building at heart of national park|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/mid-canterbury-selwyn/125020721/arthurs-pass-residents-fight-to-save-building-at-heart-of-national-park|access-date=2021-05-09|website=Stuff|language=en}}</ref>

The club skifield [[Temple Basin]] is nearby and is a popular attraction through winter.

Visitor accommodation is provided, from camp ground up to hotel standard. The township provides a general store, a petrol station, tea rooms and restaurants. Arthurs Pass is well known as a starting point for many excellent tramping tracks within the Arthurs Pass National Park.

=== Visitor centre ===

There are also several good walks from here, including the Devil's Punchbowl Falls,<ref>[http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/canterbury/north-canterbury-and-arthurs-pass/arthurs-pass-short-walking-tracks/ Short walking tracks in Arthur's Pass], Department of Conservation.</ref> Bealey Valley<ref>[http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/canterbury/north-canterbury-and-arthurs-pass/arthurs-pass-half-day-walks/ Half-day walks in Arthur's Pass], Department of Conservation.</ref> and Avalanche Peak.<ref>[http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/canterbury/north-canterbury-and-arthurs-pass/arthurs-pass-day-walks/ Day walks in Arthur's Pass], Department of Conservation.</ref> The mischievous [[kea]] (New Zealand mountain parrot) can be found here.

New Zealand's first national park visitor centre was built in Arthur's Pass in 1959, with the help of the Christchurch Wanderers Tramping Club. It was designed by Christchurch architect [[Paul Pascoe]] and used local stone to reflect the geology of the national park.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Shaun Barnett &|first=Chris Maclean|title=Tramping A New Zealand History|publisher=Craig Potton Publishing|year=2014|location=Nelson, New Zealand|pages=191–192}}</ref> As well as [[Department of Conservation (New Zealand)|Department of Conservation]] offices, the building housed museum displays on the history of Arthur's Pass (including [[Richard Seddon]]'s stagecoach) and archives detailing the history of the National Park. In 2019 the building was declared earthquake prone, and the visitor centre was moved to a [[Portable building|portacabin]] across the road. The cost to upgrade the building to the required standard was estimated at NZ$3 million.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-05-07|title=Arthur's Pass residents fight to save building at heart of national park|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/mid-canterbury-selwyn/125020721/arthurs-pass-residents-fight-to-save-building-at-heart-of-national-park|access-date=2021-05-09|website=Stuff|language=en}}</ref>

=== Chapel of the Snows ===

The club skifield [[Temple Basin]] is nearby and is a popular attraction through winter.

In 1953, park ranger Ray Cleland had discussions with mountaineer Melville Glasgow and it was decided to build an interdenominational chapel at Arthur's Pass village.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |title=Arthur's Pass Chapel: History of Arthur's Pass Chapel |url=https://arthurspasschapel.blogspot.com/p/history-of-arthurs-pass-chapel.html |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=Arthur's Pass Chapel}}</ref> Paul Pascoe of Pascoe and Hall architects volunteered to draw up plans for the building,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Arthur's Pass Chapel |url=https://natlib.govt.nz/records/22484560 |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> which was funded by church grants, street appeals and public contributions.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=26 January 1955 |title=Arthur's Pass chapel |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19550126.2.12 |work=The Press}}</ref> Volunteers began building the chapel from local stone in October 1954.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 October 1954 |title=Preliminary work on Arthur's Pass chapel site |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19541027.2.75 |work=The Press}}</ref> Businesses donated services and goods, and many of the interior fittings were also donated:<ref name=":02" /> a bell from the St Alban's fire station in Christchurch,<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |date=25 February 1956 |title=Chapel bell going to Arthur's Pass today |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19560225.2.75 |work=The Press}}</ref> a reed organ,<ref name=":3" /> and an altar cross and candlesticks made from shell cases and previously used in the chapel of the Third General Hospital of the New Zealand Division in Italy during World War 2.<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 November 1955 |title=Arthur's Pass chapel |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19551123.2.80 |work=The Press}}</ref> The chapel, which could seat 50 people, opened at Easter 1956.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> It is known as the Arthur's Pass Chapel or Chapel of the Snows.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chapel of the Snows, Arthur's Pass—Malvern Parish |url=https://www.anglicanlife.org.nz/church/chapel-of-the-snows-arthurs-pass-malvern-parish/ |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=Anglican Life |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Access ==

The town can be reached by The Tranz Alpine Express train on the famous [[Midland Line, New Zealand|Midland Line]]. [[New Zealand State Highway 73|State Highway 73]] also passes through the town.

The town can be reached by The [[TranzAlpine]] express train on the famous [[Midland Line, New Zealand|Midland Line]]. [[New Zealand State Highway 73|State Highway 73]] also passes through the town.

<gallery mode="packed" heights="130" caption="Buildings">

<gallery mode="packed" heights="130" caption="Buildings">

File:Arthur's Pass train station 01.jpg|Train station

File:Arthur's Pass train station 01.jpg|Train station

File:Arthurs Pass Village (20295490610).jpg|Arthur's Pass Chapel (built 1953)

File:Arthurs Pass Village (20295490610).jpg|Arthur's Pass Chapel (opened 1956)

File:Arthurs Pass MRD 01.jpg|Arthur's Pass Store

File:Arthurs Pass MRD 01.jpg|Arthur's Pass Store

File:Arthur's Pass Outdoor Education Centre, Canterbury, New Zealand.jpg|Outdoor Education Centre

File:Arthur's Pass Outdoor Education Centre, Canterbury, New Zealand.jpg|Outdoor Education Centre