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Where does the Southern Alps start?
The Southern Alps stretch for 500 kilometres, from Nelson Lakes National Park in the north-east to near the entrance of Milford Sound in the south-west.
Why are they called the Southern Alps?
The English explorer James Cook bestowed the name Southern Alps on 23 March 1770, admiring their “prodigious height”. They had previously been noted by Abel Tasman in 1642, whose description of the South Island’s west coast is often translated as “a land uplifted high”.
Can you see the Southern Alps from Christchurch?
Mountain views in Christchurch The Southern Alps dominate the landscape from almost every point in the South Island. From Christchurch, you can take the Lord of the Rings Edoras Tour and visit Mt Potts and Mt Sunday, experiencing views of snowy peaks and high country farms.
Where do the Southern Alps start and end?
Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana It is the highest range in Australasia. Making up the loftiest portion of the mountains that extend the length of the island, the Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana extend from Haast Pass, at the head of LakeWānaka, northeastward to Arthur’s Pass.
Are the Southern Alps part of the Alps?
The Southern Alps are a geological subdivision of Alps that are found south of the Periadriatic Seam, a major geological faultzone across the Alps.
What is special about the TranzAlpine Express?
Journey highlights Experience the South Island’s striking natural landscape by taking a train between Christchurch and Greymouth. The TranzAlpine is one of the world’s great train journeys covering 223 kilometres (139 miles) one-way, taking just under 5 hours.
Can you see the Southern Alps from Queenstown?
Queenstown. A lot of people wanting to see the Southern Alps will head straight for Queenstown, New Zealand’s most iconic mountain town. It’s easy to see why – there are incredible views everywhere and you don’t need to walk far to see some of the best ones.
How old are the Southern Alps in New Zealand?
The Southern Alps are formed from 100–300 million-year-old sedimentary rocks. These are greywacke that contains narrow bands of siltstone in the east, grading into schist west of the main divide.
Where are the mountains in New Zealand?
Where in New Zealand is Mount Tasman? Four kilometres north of its taller brother, Mount Tasman is in the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. All of New Zealand’s peaks over 3000m are found in the Southern Alps, making it one of the most impressive mountainous landscapes in the world.