Otira Viaduct Lookout — Attraction in South Island

When driving east along State Highway 73 before entering Arthur's Pass Village, there is a nice viewpoint pullover called the Otira Viaduct Lookout.

This is an elevated position with outstanding views down into the valley and of the viaduct that you would have just driven along. From this viewpoint, you can appreciate the road which zigzags and spans into the distance.

The covered section, sitting under loads of rock rubble is really neat to see. You can image the problem of rock falls and the trouble this would have regularly caused for east-west travel along Highway 73 before the opening of the Viaduct in 1999.

Note: There is a small carpark here and usually a Kea parrot or two. They are very accustomed to visitors and have a good time picking off rubber caps and other items for the undercarriage of your vehicle. More funny to see than anything else. Regardless, best to not walk away from your vehicle with open windows if there is a Kea around, especially if you have...

This place will literally blow your socks off, as the wind can be at time very strong but its worth while going there as the views are breathtaking. Was hoping to see the Kea's last time I visited but they were not around unfortunately. Some people would say fortunately as they were not there to have fun with your vehicles. People need to respect and love them as one of the worlds most intelligent birds and respect that this is there home you have entered so take what they give you, like it or not. Don't kill them like one dumb...

Windy and wet day and couldn't do the Otira valley walk so shot up to the viaduct lookout. The river was pumping and the trickling waterfalls on the cliff faces had turned into torrents... which made you realize even more what an engineering feat and necessity the viaduct was. We took the track to your right from the viewing area up and around the old road to appreciate what used to be above you and below you when you had to take the Arthur's Pass pre-viaduct days and can only imagine how dangerous it was with ice...