Alpine Pacific Highway: Top Stops
- Written by News Company
For anyone looking to take a camper rental journey in New Zealand, the one route that will allow you to see many of the country’s top attractions is the Alpine Pacific Highway, also known as the Triangle. The fact that most of these attractions are less than two hours from one another makes this the ideal route for any campervan journey, taking in miles of undeveloped coastline, lush forests, vibrant cities and towns, and a variety of amazing sights and activities along the way. If you’re only doing one trip in New Zealand then make sure to make it the Alpine. Check out these amazing stops and you will no doubt agree.
Christchurch
This legendary town is laid back and green, with some of the top urban parks in the world right in its interior. There is an incredible range of things to do in Christchurch as well, including a wide array of great dining options, plentiful nightlife, and museums galore. This is a vibrant and hip town that is home to lots of young professionals and artists. Due to this there are a plethora of great arts and music venues, not to mention funky boutiques and street festivals. You’ll be amazed at how vibrant and hip this city is and may want to spend another couple of days to enjoy it.
Just outside of city limits you will find yourself in some scenic rural territory right out of a postcard, with many quant small towns to stop in and sights to see. Make sure to bring your camera, because you won’t find territory like this anywhere else in the world. Anyone looking for a taste of traditional New Zealand countryside will love this region. It’s perfect for campervan travel with its open skies, lush scenery, and great hiking trails and other activities.
Porters Pass
If you’re traveling in the winter months and skiing is your passion, then don’t pass up Porter’s pass and the surrounding ski regions that are legendary with slopes addicts throughout the world. There are six ski resorts in the region that attract thousands of skiers each year. This is the gateway to the Southern Alps and you won’t want to pass it up since this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for any skiing enthusiast. Make sure to bring along your gear and schedule in some time on these incredible slopes. There are so many opportunities for skiing in this region that it has become known as one of the top spots in the world. With its fine powder snow and sweeping Southern Alps views, you just can’t beat the Porter’s Pass region.
Arthur’s Pass
For any traveler on a camper rental trip in the region, check out Arthur’s Pass National Park which is one of the most gorgeous and epic parks in the country. Within the park you will find the village of Arthur’s Pass itself in order to rest, enjoy a good bite, and check out the scenery. Some of the best mountain hiking trails in the country are right within walking distance of the village, so you can set off from town on an amazing alpine walk with views you won’t soon forget. This mountainous and sweeping territory is some of the most photographed in the country and has graced many a postcard and traveler brochure. You can enjoy it right up close in person on your Alpine Pacific Highway journey, just one of the multitude of wonders along the route.
The West Coast
Just south of Arthur’s Pass National Park you will pass through the legendary Otira Viaduct and head through a series of charming villages until you hit the rainforests of the west coast. This lush and stunning region is a hiker’s dream with lots of colorful valleys, rivers, waterfalls, and the lush forests the region is famous for. Anyone looking to experience the New Zealand rainforest in all its glory will find it right here. You will want to schedule in a good amount of time here since it really is a lot to take in. This is some of the most amazing nature you will ever experience, with sights, sounds, and colors you will never see anywhere else.
The Alpine region has become legendary with backpackers and camper rental travelers over the past several decades due to its diversity of terrain, plethora of amazing sights, and the abundance of activities on offer all over the region. Not only do you have mountains and skiing but you also have coastline views, rainforest adventures, and a wide variety of towns and cities to stop in and enjoy. This is classic New Zealand travel as it was meant to be, so if you’re looking to plan a trip that takes in the traditional countryside of NZ then this is your best bet.
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