At the Otira Viaduct Lookout, Arthurs Pass NP: 18 September 2022

 A enviable view on the route over Arthur's Pass

I was up in Arthurs Pass NP last weekend walking the Arthurs Pass Walking Track (post to follow). after walking the track I drove back up to the Deaths corner Lookout to have a look at the Otira Viaduct. I was last here in May when Karen and I were on our way to Punakaiki for a long weekend here is the post about that trip.

The Otira Valley from the Lookout at Death's corner

The Otira Viaduct is an awesome piece of engineering and when it was completed in 1999 it was one of the most difficult construction jobs under taken in New Zealand up to that time. The builders had to contend with extreme weather, isolation, difficult terrain and some serious engineering problems but the project was finished on time and under budget. 

The Otira Viaduct is 440 meters long

It is an inspiring site from the Lookout which is an old section of SH 73 which used to snake up and over the huge shingle scree face coming down off Hills Peak and Mt Stuart. It is the ideal location for a lookout as it has clear unobstructed views down onto most of the Viaduct. 

Looking up to Hills Peak (1645) from the Viaduct Lookout

Waterfall on the southern side of the Otira Valley

Anyone traveling from the east coast to the west coast on SH73 drives over the Viaduct so it is really impossible to miss. You drive past the turn off to the Deaths Corner Lookout so it is very simple thing to stop for a few moments to check out the view. 

View back to Arthurs Pass from the Viaduct Lookout

View to Mt Barron (1730) from the Viaduct Lookout

Once the Viaduct was completed there was no need for the old road so the approaches on the Arthur's Pass side were turned into a magnificent lookout point. There is a sign posted turn off at the old Deaths Corner with views right down the Otira River Valley. You can see about four kilometers down the valley from here with high mountains closely following the route of the Otira River.

The Viaduct is up to 35 meters above the Otira Valley floor

Before the Viaduct any trip over this pass was always a sphincter clenching experience...it was winding, narrow and heinously steep. Many was the older English car that cooked an engine climbing the switchback road from Candy's Corner to Arthurs Pass.

...steep drop off to the floor of the Otira Valley...

V shaped buttresses protect the Viaduct support columns

There are two fine fenced off lookouts here and both have good views down to the viaduct, Otira River and down the Otira Valley. In fine weather or rain they provide magnificent views of this rugged section of the park. 

A word of caution though...do not cross the fences...there are significant drops from the lookout and a fall from here would not be good for your health. 

SH73 is the road over Arthur's Pass

The Viaduct was opened in 1999 by the PM of the day

You can back up to Arthurs Pass from the lookout as it is only about 2 kilometers up to the head of the Pass. You could walk to the Lookout from Arthurs Pass using the Arthurs Pass Walking Track but you would on the road shoulder from the Pass to the Lookout and I cannot really recommend this on such a narrow and very busy road. 

The access road is an old section of SH73

It is interesting sitting up near the Lookout and watching the cars, trucks and Campervans coming up the Viaduct. The gradient is not that bad but it still looks painful...

A series of vehicles climbing up the Otira Viaduct

The lookout is awesome in fine or wet weather and in fact it is interesting to visit in both conditions. The view is much curtailed in bad weather as the valley below often fills with cloud. You are sitting just about 1100 meters here so it is hardly surprising that the weather is dim a lot of the time. 

Rainy day view of the Otira Viaduct

SH73 is a very busy route from west to east

The Otira Viaduct has received many accolades and awards and has secured access across this formally difficult section of the highway. 

Higher water level in the Otira River after rain

Snow blankets the scree slope on Hills Peak

View from the lower lookout platform at Deaths Corner

Winter view to Arthurs Pass from Deaths Corner Lookout

 If you are lucky you will be entertained by the antics of Kea who live in the local area. There used to be big mobs of them here but the most I have seen here recently at one time would be about 3-5. That is the name for a group of Kea...a Mob. Very apt as they will happily dismantle your car/boat/motor bike if you leave them unattended for too long. They act like a bunch of teenage boys most of the time...

Kea live in the local area around the Lookout

Silver Surfer at Otira Viaduct Lookout in winter

I recommend you stop and check out the view for yourself the next time you pass this way. It is an interesting viewpoint and worthy of your attention. 

Access: The Otira Viaduct is on SH73 between Arthurs Pass Village and Otira. The Lookout is roughly two kilometers west of Arthurs Pass itself and is clearly signposted from both directions. There is space here for about 6-7 cars.

You Tube: Otira Viaduct Lookout