A short guide about Haast Pass
New Zealand’s South Island is a land of contrast and a region of natural beauty - with a diversity of outdoor activities that is unparalleled. In its region of the Southern Alps is Haast Pass - a mountain pass named after Julius von Haast - a 19th century explorer who was also a geologist. The Haast Pass is 562 metres above sea level and saddled between the valleys of the Haast and Makarora Rivers, it was on occasion used by the Maori in pre-European times.
Haast Pass is one of three passes (Lewis Pass and Arthurs Pass) which has a road; the State Highway 6 - travels from east to west over the Southern Alps. The road was converted from a rough track and received a tarmac surface by 1995. The Otago Central Railway terminates in Cromwell and to the south of Ross is a lightly laid bush tramway to Lake Ianthe.
Visiting Haast Pass? You'll find it within the Mount Aspiring National Park and is devoid of any settlements as the road travels through a beech forest. Tours to the Westland National Park are quite adventurous as you’ll need to negotiate the mountainous Haast Pass to arrive on the other side of its stunning high mountain peaks and glaciers, here you may even get the chance to walk on a flowing river of ice.
So with our catalogue of holiday packages - Tourabout will have you off the beaten track on an outdoor adventure that explores glaciers, lakes, wild coastlines and stunning beaches. With opportunities for swimming with dolphins or seals and whale watching, and if that’s not enough of an adrenaline rush for you… then head to Queenstown.