Canterbury, Arthur’s Pass & Aoraki/Mt Cook - Hiking and Tramping in New Zealand - page 457

Bookings are recommended from November to April. You can sometimes camp ($20 per
person) near the cottages. Phone ahead to check availability first.

CAFE$

Arthur's Pass Store & Tearooms
(SH73; ) You don't want to be outfitting an expedition here, but this lone shop has some
supplies, including stove fuel and adequate food to get you through a tramp. Slices a good
sandwich, and serves up a good breakfast.

CAFE$$$

Wobbly Kea
( www.wobblykea.co.nz; SH73; meals $15-32) This friendly cafe-bar serves steaks, pasta and pizza.
Takeaway pizza ($28) is also available. Breakfast at the Wobbly Kea ($10 to $18) is a local
tradition designed to set you up for the most active of days.

8 Information
The online directory of Arthur's Pass Community Centre ( www.softrock.co.nz ) is a mine of
useful local information.

8 Getting There & Away
Arthur's Pass sees buses travelling between Christchurch (two hours) and Greymouth (2½
hours), a route serviced by Atomic Shuttles ( Click here ) and West Coast Shuttle ( Click
here ) . Bus tickets are sold at the Arthur's Pass Store.
The TranzAlpine - New Zealnd's most scenic train service - runs between Christchurch
and Greymouth via Arthur's Pass, operated by KiwiRail Scenic ( 0800 872 467;
www.kiwirailscenic.co.nz ) .

TOP OF CHAPTER

Mt Cook Village

03 / POP 234
This small hamlet is the access point for most visitors to Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park.
The majority of accommodation options here are expensive because rooms are limited. The
DOC Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park Visitor Centre ( 03-435 1186; www.doc.govt.nz; 1 Larch
Grove;

8.30am-6pm summer, 8.30pm-4.30pm winter) is the information hub of the village.