Wikimedia Commons / Arthurs Pass - panoramio - Maksym Kozlenko (8).jpg · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized; may be colour-adjusted · Photo credits

Arthur's Pass (TranzAlpine)

New Zealand, Canterbury to West Coast, South Island

-42.9454000, 171.5657000

KML Maps

Overview

Summit of the crossing at 739 m, in the middle of the alpine section.

Photography

When to Shoot Estimated

Best Months

Mar Apr May

Photography Tips

March to May for golden tussock and low sun; winter adds snow to the pass, summer turns the Waimakariri turquoise.

Photography Tools

Location Map

Planning Tools

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Shot Planner

Access & Drone Info

Access

Difficulty Estimated

moderate

A scheduled stop on the route; also reachable by road on State Highway 73.

Informational only, not legal or travel advice. Visa, permit, drone and access rules differ by nationality and site and change often, so confirm with the official authority (linked where shown) before you travel, shoot or fly.

Drone

Unknown

↑ 120 m No night

Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAA NZ) ↗

Informational only, not legal advice. Rules change quickly — always verify with the managing authority before flying. Airspace authorization and land-owner permission are separate: clearance to use the airspace never grants permission to take off, land, or operate from the ground below it. Data last refreshed Jun 11, 2026.