Gates of Haast

Gates of Haast is a narrow gorge within Mount Aspiring National Park where the river flows between towering rock walls. A single-lane steel arch bridge crosses the passage and connects both sides of this dramatic cut through the landscape.

European explorers first documented the pass in 1863 after traveling through this mountain corridor. The gorge itself formed over millennia through river erosion carving a natural route across the highlands.

The pass carries the name of an early explorer and represents a historic route across the Southern Alps that connected communities for generations. Today, visitors experience a place shaped by both natural forces and human passage through these mountains.

The site sits along State Highway 6 well over 50 kilometers from the nearest town, accessible via this main route through the region. Visitors should be aware that the bridge is narrow and requires careful driving in both directions.

The steel bridge underwent major reconstruction after severe flooding in the 1970s, replacing earlier wooden structures that once crossed here. This renovation shaped the site's current appearance and shows how nature constantly tests infrastructure in remote mountain regions.

GPS coordinates: -44.03982,169.38011

Latest update: December 8, 2025 21:08