In the South Island of New Zealand lies the Transalpine Region, one of the most picturesque places in the country. It has vast swathes of dense rainforests, deeply-gorged rivers and snow-capped mountains in the distance. It’s an excellent place for hiking and photography. We drove from Christchurch to the rugged West Coast and after two hours arrived at the lookout point of the long Otira viaduct that crosses a river snaking thru a gorge. Spanning 440 meters, it was built in 1999 to replace the old road that was prone to avalanches and closures. Not only did we enjoy the breathtaking view but we also caught sight of the Kea, the large parrot that’s endemic to the region, among the rocky sides of the mountain.
ARTHUR’S PASS
