From Arthur’s Pass to the Pacific

Arthur's Pass National Park.

Having to wake at a ridiculous hour to catch an early morning flight is uninspiring in any situation. That’s before you add in the fact that the morning in question is a Saturday. That’s also before you add in the fact that the flight in question is with Jetstar. Every now and then, however, you get surprised.

The first was that this Jetstar flight left on time (as a frequent flyer, I can confirm that this is indeed a surprise). The second was that the flight path hugged the West Coast so that a left seated passenger could see right across the South Island. The third was that the day was extremely clear. This combination would give a crisp view of Arthur’s Pass National Park and the frozen streams within meandering their way to the Pacific on the other side.

UPDATE: Thanks to Hamish Reid for correcting my geography: “Rather than Arthur’s Pass though, the images actually show the eastern side of Molesworth Station. The first one is of the Acheron River valley, while the others show the wonderfully meandering Clarence River”.

Arthur's Pass National Park.

Arthur's Pass National Park.

Arthur's Pass National Park.

Arthur's Pass National Park.

Arthur's Pass National Park.

Arthur's Pass National Park.