Lindis Pass facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lindis Pass |
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Road to Lindis Pass
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| Elevation | 971 m (3,186 ft) |
| Traversed by | State Highway 8 |
| Location | New Zealand |
| Range | Southern Alps |
| Coordinates | 44°35′16″S 169°38′52″E / 44.587786°S 169.647757°E |
 Location in New Zealand
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The Lindis Pass is a mountain pass in the South Island of New Zealand. It sits 971 meters (about 3,186 feet) above sea level. When you reach the top, there's a carpark where you can stop. From here, you can enjoy amazing views and even walk on short trails to other lookout spots.
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Where is Lindis Pass?
Lindis Pass is found in the South Island of New Zealand. It connects the town of Cromwell in Central Otago with Omarama in the Canterbury Region. It's a key part of the main road that goes inland towards the beautiful Mackenzie Basin.
The pass is located between the valleys of the Lindis River and Ahuriri River.
Driving Through the Pass
State Highway 8 goes right through Lindis Pass. This road connects the Mackenzie Basin to Central Otago. Lindis Pass is the highest point on the South Island's state highway system. It's also the second highest point on New Zealand's entire state highway network. Only the Desert Road (part of SH 1) in the North Island is higher.
Even though it's high, Lindis Pass is not considered an "alpine pass." This is because it's in a dry, inland part of the South Island. Summers here are usually hot and dry. However, winters often bring heavy snow and lots of ice.
To help drivers, a web camera was put in place in 2018. This camera helps road crews monitor the highway. It also lets travelers check road conditions before they set off. It's important to drive carefully on Lindis Pass, especially in winter. There is no cell phone service on the pass. In 2013, the New Zealand Transport Agency improved parts of State Highway 8 over Lindis Pass. They added new safety barriers, better signs, and electronic speed warnings.
Plants and Animals of Lindis Pass
Lindis Pass is surrounded by wide areas of grassland. These grasslands are home to special plants called snow tussocks. You can also find many buttercups (Ranunculus haastii) on Longslip Mountain, which is 1494 meters high.
Many interesting animals live in the Lindis Pass area. You might spot the New Zealand falcon, also known as kārearea. The New Zealand pipit (pihoihoi) and the spotted skink also live here. In the lower areas, where there are beech forests and shrublands, you can find other birds. These include the fantail (pīwakawaka), grey warbler (riroriro), and rifleman (tītitipounamu).
Images for kids
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Lindis Pass in winter
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Monument erected in 1971 celebrating 100 years since red deer were first liberated in Otago.
