Mountain saddles
Foy Pass
1,365 m
Park geography
Structured data on mountainous terrain, alpine meadows, and protected natural features
Comprehensive Geographic Profile and Mapped Boundaries for Arthur's Pass National Park
This geographic profile details the 1184.7 km² expanse of Arthur's Pass National Park, located in New Zealand. It covers the core mountain relief, including major peaks like Mount Rolleston and Avalanche Peak, alongside documented waterfalls and saddles that define the park's rugged terrain and temperate forest habitat.
Related tags
Southern AlpsMountain landscape Beech forestRainforestBird conservation
New Zealand's first South Island national park, protecting the dramatic Southern Alps
Arthur's Pass National Park
Arthur's Pass National Park is a vast protected area in the South Island of New Zealand, established in 1929 as the first national park in the South Island and the third in the country. The park covers approximately 1,185 square kilometres of predominantly mountainous terrain within the Southern Alps, bisected by State Highway 73 which passes through the Arthur's Pass village and the mountain pass of the same name at an elevation of 920 metres. The park is characterized by a remarkable ecological divide, with the eastern side featuring drier conditions, mountain beech forests, and wide braided riverbeds, while the western side supports dense rainforest including mixed podocarp and rata forests. This dramatic contrast in habitats makes Arthur's Pass one of New Zealand's most ecologically diverse protected areas, supporting a range of rare and endangered species within its rugged mountain landscape.
- Location
- New Zealand
- Park type
- National park
- Established
- 1929
- Area
- 1,184.7 km²
- Highest point
- 2,400 m
Location overview
National location and regional positioning within New Zealand
Geographic Positioning of Arthur's Pass National Park in New Zealand
Arthur's Pass National Park is situated entirely within the national borders of New Zealand. Verified records confirm that the interior reserve contains no coastal, marine, or transboundary territory.
- Countries
- New Zealand
- Primary location
- New Zealand
- Geographic setting
- Inland
Boundary and coordinates
Spatial dimensions and geographic extent of the 1,184.7 square kilometer park
Arthur's Pass National Park Geographic Boundary Map
The mapped outline provides spatial context for the physical extent of Arthur's Pass National Park. Companion geographic facts detail calculated area coverage, perimeter measurements, and coordinate center points for deeper spatial analysis.
- Boundary area
- 1,189.6 km²
- Boundary perimeter
- 241.9 km
- Northernmost point
- 42.7289° S
- Southernmost point
- 43.0597° S
- Easternmost point
- 172.074° E
- Westernmost point
- 171.3743° E
- Geographic centre
- 42.8903° S, 171.7226° E
- North–south span
- 36.8 km
- East–west span
- 57.1 km
Elevation and terrain
Mountain relief metrics and mapped natural features
Arthur's Pass National Park Terrain and Elevation Profile
Recorded elevation metrics establish a peak altitude of 2400 meters across the mountain terrain. Associated feature records document named saddles, ridges, peaks, lakes, and waterways located within the protected area.
- Highest point
- 2,400 m
Selected named natural features
Ridges
Little Jordan Spur
Lakes
Lake Minchin
Waterfalls
Crawshaw Falls
12 m high
Peaks
Smooth Peak
1,710 m
Streams
Barrack Creek
Environmental setting
Temperate mountain relief, forest cover, and diverse habitat types
Arthur's Pass National Park Environmental Settings and Classification Profile
Recorded classifications organize the physical setting of Arthur's Pass National Park into complementary categories of terrain, climate, and forest cover. Structured database records connect each environmental designation to relevant atlas destinations across the protected landscape.
- Relief
- Mountain
- Climate
- Temperate
- Water
- Minor water
- Forest cover
- Mostly forested
- Seasonality
- Year-round
Landscape features
Mountains · Valleys · Forest · Rivers · Waterfalls
Habitat types
Temperate broadleaf forest · Boreal forest · Montane forest · Alpine meadow · Grassland
Park atlas
Trace the broader geographic context of the Southern Alps, mapping protected areas for comparative atlas exploration.
Explore Other National Parks Near Arthur's Pass, Uncovering Adjacent Protected Landscapes
Continue your exploration of New Zealand's South Island protected areas by comparing national parks and other significant conservation landscapes surrounding Arthur's Pass National Park. Browse mapped park geography to understand the regional spread of alpine environments, beech forests, and rainforests, offering valuable insights into connected ecosystems and conservation efforts.
Protected landscapeSouth Island
About 15 km away#1 closest
Southeast
Craigieburn Forest Park: Protected Alpine Landscape and Southern Alps Geography
High country terrain from beech forests to alpine ridges.
Situated along the eastern flanks of the Southern Alps, Craigieburn Forest Park offers a complex mountain geography that serves as both a recreational hub and an ecological restoration zone. The area features a clear transition from beech-clad valley floors and glacial terraces to wide tussock basins and craggy summits, providing a detailed look at the diverse natural terrain of the Canterbury region.
- Area
- 446.948 km²
- Established
- 1967
- Relief
- Mountain
- Climate
- Alpine
Protected landscapeCanterbury
About 26 km away#2 closest
Northeast
Lake Sumner Forest Park: Geography and Protected Landscape Atlas for Canterbury
Mountainous river valleys and remote beech forests
Spanning over 100,000 hectares of the Canterbury high country, Lake Sumner Forest Park stands as a prime example of New Zealand's protected backcountry. This mapping resource details the park's river-carved terrain, subalpine fringes, and its role as a connective wilderness area between major South Island mountain ranges.
- Area
- 1,051 km²
- Relief
- Mountain
- Climate
- Temperate
- Access
- Moderate access
National parkWest Coast Region
57 km away#3 closest
North
Paparoa National Park: Detailed Geographic Atlas of Karst Formations and Coastal Terrain
Discover protected landscape boundaries and unique New Zealand geology.
Paparoa National Park, located in the West Coast Region of New Zealand, offers a unique window into complex karst geology and dynamic coastal landscapes. This national park is characterized by extensive limestone cave systems, underground rivers, and the famous Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. The park's geography includes dramatic mountain terrain within the Paparoa Range and a striking coastline, providing a rich dataset for mapping protected area context and understanding regional natural features. It stands apart for its subterranean wonders and eroded limestone formations.
- Area
- 429.7 km²
- Established
- 1987
- IUCN
- II
- Relief
- Mountain
Protected landscapeSouth Island
About 60 km away#4 closest
North
Victoria Forest Park: A Deep Dive Into New Zealand's Largest Protected Forest Landscape
Inland West Coast mountain ranges and beech forest ecosystems
Spanning over 200,000 hectares, Victoria Forest Park stands as a defining geographic feature of the South Island. It acts as a critical refuge for endemic species and preserves all five native beech tree types within a massive, continuous protected area. The landscape integrates rugged mountain ranges with deep river valleys and historical industrial artifacts, providing a comprehensive look at the intersection of conservation and regional history.
- Area
- 2,069 km²
- Established
- 1981
- Relief
- Mountain
- Climate
- Temperate
National parkNew Zealand
62 km away#5 closest
Northeast
Nelson Lakes National Park: Alpine Geography and Glacial Lakes Atlas
Explore New Zealand's protected mountain terrain and natural landscapes.
Nelson Lakes National Park provides a deep dive into a dramatic alpine environment situated at the northern edge of New Zealand's Southern Alps. This national park is characterized by its striking glacial lakes, Rotoiti and Rotoroa, and the extensive mountain ranges that surround them, offering a rich context for understanding protected land distribution. Explore the park's mapped geography, its distinct beech forest ecosystems, and the rugged natural terrain that makes it a significant feature within the broader South Island landscape.
- Area
- 1,018.8 km²
- Established
- 1956
- IUCN
- II
- Relief
- Mountain
Regional parkCanterbury Region
About 72 km away#6 closest
Southeast
Northern Pegasus Bay Regional Park: Canterbury Coastal Geography and Protected Land Atlas
Mapping the beaches, estuaries, and dunes of Northern Pegasus Bay.
Northern Pegasus Bay spans a long, curving stretch of the Canterbury coastline on New Zealand's South Island. This regional park protects a range of coastal landforms, including pebbly beaches, dune systems, and the regionally significant Ashley Rakahuri Estuary. The geography reflects a dynamic exchange of sediment across multiple river mouths, creating a distinct environmental corridor between coastal communities and the sea.
- Relief
- Lowland
- Climate
- Temperate
- Access
- Easy access
- Scope
- Mixed
Regional parkCanterbury Region
About 73 km away#7 closest
Southeast
Waimakariri River Regional Park: Geography and Protected Landscape Atlas for Canterbury
Braided river corridors and wetland habitats in the Canterbury Region
Waimakariri River Regional Park encompasses a significant managed corridor along the Waimakariri River, featuring an intricate mix of braided riverbeds, saltmarshes, and reforested land. This profile details the park topography, highlighting its role in regional flood management and its varied natural terrain across the Canterbury Plains, providing a clear geographic view of its multi-use protected boundaries.
- Area
- 150 km²
- Relief
- Lowland
- Access
- Easy access
- Scope
- Terrestrial
National parkWest Coast
75 km away#8 closest
Southwest
Westland Tai Poutini National Park: A Protected Landscape of Glaciers and Temperate Rainforests
Explore its mapped terrain and unique glacial features in West Coast, NZ.
Westland Tai Poutini National Park represents a remarkable intersection of glacial power and lush temperate rainforests along New Zealand's West Coast. As a protected national park, it showcases dramatic alpine scenery and the unique characteristic of glaciers descending to low elevations. Users can explore the mapped boundaries and the distinct natural landscapes that define this significant protected area, offering a clear view of its place within the region's geography.
- Area
- 1,319.8 km²
- Established
- 1960
- IUCN
- II
- Relief
- Mountain
MoriAtlas Explorer
Continue Exploring Arthur's Pass National Park: Alpine Geography and Protected Landscape Details
Deepen your understanding of Arthur's Pass National Park's unique protected landscape and its significant regional geography. Continue exploring the mapped terrain, distinct ecological zones, and alpine features that define this key area within the Southern Alps. This park offers a focused lens for understanding New Zealand's protected natural areas and their geographic context through structured atlas exploration.
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