Geography
The park is very distinctly split by the main divide of the South Island. The eastern side is typically drier and consists of beech forest and wide riverbeds, while the western side contains dense rainforest. Much of the geography was formed by ancient glacial action, forming flat bottomed U-shaped valleys. In the middle is a high range, consisting of large snow covered peaks and scree slopes.
The park contains the following geographical features:
- A portion of the main divide of the South Island, including the following passes - Harman, Waimakariri Col, Arthur's itself, Goat (on the Mingha-Deception route), Tarahuna, Worsley, Minchin and Harper.
- The source of the Waimakariri River, very close the Waimakariri Falls Hut.
- Numerous tributaries to the Waimakariri River, including the Bealey, Poulter, Hawdon, White, Crow and Anti Crow Rivers.
- Numerous tributaries to the Taramakau River, including the Otira, Deception and Otehake Rivers.
- Mt Murchison at 2400 m is the highest peak within the park.
Read more about this topic: Arthur's Pass National Park
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