SouthernAlpsNZ
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The Great Alpine Highway: Crossing the Southern Alps, One Curve at a Time
State Highway 73 from Christchurch to the West Coast. About 230 km to Greymouth or Hokitika. It starts flat on the Canterbury plains — braided rivers, wide sky, sheep in paddocks. Then the land tightens. Porters Pass climbs first, around 940 meters. The road winds up through Arthur’s Pass National Park, drops through gorges, and eases out…