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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 14, Issue 3 (June 1, 1939)

Over the Lewis Pass

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Over the Lewis Pass.

The Lewis Pass service is run in conjunction with the Department's daily connection between Christchurch and Hanmer, and the first section of the east to west journeys is through the splendid agricultural country of North Canterbury as far as Culverden. Then the course turns to the west, we are soon among the foothills following up the Waiau and Hope Rivers, and surveying, from a high elevation the miles of sheep stations where size is denoted not by acres so much as by thousands of sheep. We reach the Lewis Stream, the well-graded road rises higher, and at 58 miles from Culverden page 30
The Buller River near Hawke's Crag. The bridge gives access to the railway construction works in progress in the gorge.

The Buller River near Hawke's Crag. The bridge gives access to the railway construction works in progress in the gorge.

we are at the top of the range in the midst of the mountain beech forest, with six inches of snow on the road as a reminder that the elevation is 2,840 feet. One has the feeling that he is throughly away from civilisation, for there is only an occasional roadman's hut. But enterprise is ahead of us, for there emerges around a bend a petrol station and welcome provision for refreshments.

There is no doubting the fact that we are on the West Coast once the car commences to descend. The vegetation is tropical in its luxuriance, and trees clothe the steep ranges right up to snow level. Cannibal Gorge—properly named if Maori legend is correct—runs off to the right, its mysterious depths half-hidden in mist. Another discovery when running along the banks of the Maruia River is that there are well-developed hot springs at a temperature of 180 degrees, possessing a curvative reputation which will doubtless make them more popular now that access is sure and comfortable. In due course the Buller Gorge is reached with over thirty miles of its finest scenery to regale the tourist before the 214-mile trip from Christchurch to Westport is completed.

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