RoadAtlas
The Two Passes — New Zealand — Mountain
Australia & Pacific

The Two Passes

New Zealand

Point-to-point
Christchurch Springfield and Christchurch

In short: The Two Passes is a 650 km mountain road trip in New Zealand, typically driven over 6 days, best in Nov–Apr. Highlights: Christchurch, Hanmer Springs, Lewis Pass.

Distance
650 km
Duration
6 days
Best Season
Nov–Apr
IconicModerateMountainEV-friendly

A four-day loop from Christchurch through the Southern Alps via Lewis Pass and Arthur's Pass, two of New Zealand's great mountain crossings through forests, lakes, rivers, and the West Coast Wilderness Trail. Hanmer Springs thermal pools at the overnight waypoint; Kumara's gold-rush history on the return via State Highway 73.

~1 refuel
~2 charges
Practical notes
This is a complete Christchurch-Lewis Pass-West Coast-Arthur's Pass-Christchurch loop. Check NZTA Journey Planner (https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/) immediately before each pass and again during the trip: snow, ice, rockfall, wind or work can impose chains, no-towing controls or closure within hours. Carry warm layers, keep fuel topped up, and treat Punakaiki and alpine walks as conditional on road, track, tide and daylight margins.

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Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Christchurch to Hanmer Springs

Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools · No.31 Restaurant and Bar

Day 2Hanmer Springs to Reefton via Lewis Pass

Maruia Falls · Lewis Pass short nature walk · The Broadway Tearooms and Bakery

Day 3Reefton to Westport and Punakaiki

Pancake Rocks and Blowholes · Denniston Dog Restaurant and Bar

Day 4Punakaiki to Kumara via Greymouth

Kumara heritage walk · Monteiths Brewery

Day 5Kumara to Arthurs Pass Village

Otira Viaduct Lookout · Devils Punchbowl track · Arthurs Pass Cafe and Store

Day 6Arthurs Pass to Christchurch via Springfield

Kura Tawhiti / Castle Hill · Sheffield Pie Shop

Stops along the route

Christchurch — Departure — The Two Passes — New Zealand
Departure
Christchurch
Begin the complete loop.
Hanmer Springs — City — The Two Passes — New Zealand
City
Hanmer Springs
First overnight before Lewis Pass.
Reefton — City — The Two Passes — New Zealand
City
Reefton
West Coast heritage overnight.
Greymouth and Kumara — City — The Two Passes — New Zealand
City
Greymouth and Kumara
Stage the approach to Arthur's Pass.
Springfield and Christchurch — Arrival — The Two Passes — New Zealand
Arrival
Springfield and Christchurch
Complete the SH73 return rather than ending at the pass.

Things to Do

Lewis Pass — Nature — The Two Passes — New Zealand
Nature
Lewis Pass
Cross only after the live highway check.
Westport and Punakaiki — Nature — The Two Passes — New Zealand
Nature
Westport and Punakaiki
The rebuilt route explicitly reaches the Pancake Rocks.
Arthurs Pass — Nature — The Two Passes — New Zealand
Nature
Arthurs Pass
Cross on a dedicated alpine day.
Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools — Thermal pools — The Two Passes — New Zealand
Thermal pools
Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools
Book an entry window if required and follow current pool rules.
Maruia Falls — Waterfall viewpoint — The Two Passes — New Zealand
Waterfall viewpoint
Maruia Falls
Use the signed short track if open.
Lewis Pass short nature walk — Forest walk — The Two Passes — New Zealand
Forest walk
Lewis Pass short nature walk
Choose one open short DOC track after checking weather and daylight.
Show 5 more
Pancake Rocks and Blowholes — Coastal walk — The Two Passes — New Zealand
Coastal walk
Pancake Rocks and Blowholes
Walk the formed loop and check swell/tide conditions; this day explicitly reaches Punakaiki.
Kumara heritage walk — Gold-town history — The Two Passes — New Zealand
Gold-town history
Kumara heritage walk
Use the signed short town trail as the arrival activity.
Otira Viaduct Lookout — Mountain viewpoint — The Two Passes — New Zealand
Mountain viewpoint
Otira Viaduct Lookout
Stop only if the pull-off and visibility are safe.
Devils Punchbowl track — Conditional waterfall walk — The Two Passes — New Zealand
Conditional waterfall walk
Devils Punchbowl track
Attempt only with a clear DOC alert and enough daylight.
Kura Tawhiti / Castle Hill — Conservation walk — The Two Passes — New Zealand
Conservation walk
Kura Tawhiti / Castle Hill
Use a short marked circuit if weather and road timing allow.

Where to Eat

No.31 Restaurant and Bar — New Zealand — The Two Passes — New Zealand
New Zealand
No.31 Restaurant and Bar
Reserve a Hanmer Springs dinner.
The Broadway Tearooms and Bakery — Cafe and bakery — The Two Passes — New Zealand
Cafe and bakery
The Broadway Tearooms and Bakery
A Reefton arrival meal; verify hours.
Denniston Dog Restaurant and Bar — New Zealand — The Two Passes — New Zealand
New Zealand
Denniston Dog Restaurant and Bar
A Westport lunch or early dinner; confirm hours.
Monteiths Brewery — West Coast pub meals — The Two Passes — New Zealand
West Coast pub meals
Monteiths Brewery
A Greymouth lunch; the driver remains alcohol-free.
Arthurs Pass Cafe and Store — Cafe and store — The Two Passes — New Zealand
Cafe and store
Arthurs Pass Cafe and Store
Confirm current hours and buy supplies before closing.
Sheffield Pie Shop — Bakery — The Two Passes — New Zealand
Bakery
Sheffield Pie Shop
A route-correct Canterbury lunch stop.

Nearby and similar drives

Frequently asked questions

How long is the The Two Passes drive?

The The Two Passes covers 650 km from start to finish.

How long does the The Two Passes take to drive?

Most travellers spend 6 days on the The Two Passes, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the The Two Passes?

The recommended season for the The Two Passes is Nov–Apr.

Where does the The Two Passes start and end?

The The Two Passes runs from Christchurch to Springfield and Christchurch.

What are the main stops on the The Two Passes?

The The Two Passes passes through Christchurch, Hanmer Springs, Lewis Pass.

How difficult is the The Two Passes to drive?

The The Two Passes is rated moderate and is best handled with any vehicle.

Can I drive the The Two Passes in a regular car?

Yes — the The Two Passes is paved end-to-end and a regular car is fine in normal conditions.

How many fuel stops are needed on the The Two Passes?

Plan around 1 refuels (or about 2 EV charges) along the The Two Passes, based on its 650 km length.

Is the The Two Passes EV friendly?

Yes — the The Two Passes has charger coverage along the route and works as an EV road trip.

Is the The Two Passes safe to drive?

This is a complete Christchurch-Lewis Pass-West Coast-Arthur's Pass-Christchurch loop. Check NZTA Journey Planner (https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/) immediately before each pass and again during the trip: snow, ice, rockfall, wind or work can impose chains, no-towing controls or closure within hours. Carry warm layers, keep fuel topped up, and treat Punakaiki and alpine walks as conditional on road, track, tide and daylight margins.

What scenic tier is the The Two Passes?

The The Two Passes is a iconic drive — Iconic road trips that anchor a region's reputation — postcard scenery, headline highways, and the routes most travellers want to drive.