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Otira Viaduct and old zig-zag road.1999.
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DescriptionTake a look at this site "Otira Viaduct"..
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Date of Photo1999.Map[1] ContributorGeoffrey Bell
Scroll down to the "external link" below.
Date of Photo1999.Map[1] ContributorGeoffrey Bell
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Category TagRoads
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CommentsSue Coghlan
Hard to imagine we drove back and forth on the old road. Was rather scary at times.
David Verrall
That's one for the Livery Shed st the Heritage Park in Hokitika. Enlarged, on the back wall, above the Hall Coach which was the last stagecoach to travel the Pass. 3rd August 1923 was the last day!
Peter Spence
In 65' - slept in one morning and missed the railcar - being an important function, I grabbed a rental to go over the pass - all good until I got a puncture on a dangerous bend near the summit - what a mission to change the tyre and get moving again!
Sandra Douglas
As a kid I zig zagged that road every holidays..hated candy's bend was dangerous & going down hill ya had ya feet hard against the back of the seat ..no seatbelts..no chains in snow.. ya slid into bank..foggy ya just hoped ya were on the road...
Tony Price
Cindy Price you would not have liked the old. You be over the new Otira twice now
Margaret Grant
Used to tow a horse float with the holden ute up the old road never thought anything of it.
Dorothy Wills
Awesome Excellent photo
Christie Wilson
Rowanne McCann since we were talking about this yesterday, a great pic
Donna-Ann Barrett
Brilliant photos
Peter Logan
Used to drive machinery up and down there, breaks weren't to flash back in the day.
Kerry Molloy
rode the zigzag in a humungous fog once on my motorbike -stand up very very slow, follow white lines (barely visible)buttock clenching you bloody bet . ah but now its like driving the motorway.Mind you also blew motors in my pathfinder and hilux on the gorge so thank god for the viaduct cause towing over the zigzag dont bear thinking about!
Malcolm Yorston
I remember going up the zig zag in an old 36 hp 1956 VW 1,200 grinding up in first gear and our German shepherd ( that my FiL had fed possum to the night before) farted, had to open both doors as we were going up so we could breathe some fresh air.
Ian Buchanan
Had some scary trips over that part of the road
Sandra Dolbear
Wow
I remember it was scary
Fiona Pollard
I thought there were more zigs and zags... fond memories of that road, always an adventure
Trevor Taylor
Zig Zag was so much more fun to drive.
Helena Jefferys
Raeone Wallace Amy Symmers hated that part of the trip
David Verrall
Great photo...I've saved it for the Livery at the Heritage Park.
Tony Kokshoorn
Even in 1970, when I was licensed to drive at the age of 15,
the highway had to be forded twice over creeks between
Arthur’s Pass and Klondyke. It was essential to top up the
vehicle’s water and oil before motoring to Christchurch
via the zig-zag road over the pass. Dozens of dead possums
always littered the road during the journey over the
hill as we called it. There were no speed cameras and most
of the road was tar sealed.
On one occasion I abandoned my white car halfway up
the zig zag during a snow storm because a snow chain
slipped off the wheel, rupturing the brake oil pipe. Heavy
snow covered the car that night. The next morning the
road contractors clearing the pass completely demolished
the side of my vehicle as they graded down the zig zag.
In 2010, the highway with the Otira Viaduct is an excellent
road. The only bad stretch between Arthur’s Pass
and Klondyke will be straightened by the NZ Transport
Otira Agency over the next few years.
May be an image of arctic and text that says 'kiwisteven PA PASS PHOTNG'
Mark Nolan
Took my 1964 Anglia up the zig zag. 1st gear most of the way.
Sonia Dando
Remember traveling be
1960 68 when living in NZ going from Greymouth over this road
Then 1969 moved to Australia and 2004 took my grandkids from Australia over this wasn’t so bad but they were scare as we in Australia WA all roads open land
Alison Hale
Went up with glenys birchfeild heading to th cavalcade. Had to unload the horse and walk it up because we kept skidding and going backwards .hmm not the right gear. Lol.
Anna Wright
Lots of trips over the old road when we were kids. Big cars back then, not a lot of room.
Toni Sims
Raelene Holden I remember being with u and nearly getting blown off there in wind when they were building
Ian Murch
Over the old road many times in the late 30s
Diane Ross Rarere
Awesome pics!
Pat Scally Richardson
Lyza Saqacala Ellen Wilson Paul Francis Richardson Nadia Kerr
Michael James
Fond memories. My first car - a 65 cortina wagon struggled to get up the West Coast side, but then it was only a 1500 and blew clouds of blue smoke too!
May be an image of text
Julie Smith
Great photo we use to go over the hill heaps of times a bit scarey at night
Tui Waiheke
Wouldn’t have happened under this “ government “.
Linda Hawken
Yep we used to drive it before the viaduct was built. Never thought anything of it.
Matt Hawken
Linda Hawken
Donna O'Malley
Danny OMalley
Daphne Sharon OMalley In a Cadillac Eldorado with the brakes smoking!!
Margaret Grant
Used to tow a horse float with the holden ute up the old road never thought anything of it.
Caroline Horwood
Jeez dont miss towing over that zig zag in the dark.and wet...great photo!!!
Margaret Grant
It's a great photo certainly bringing back memories.
Vic Ollerenshaw
Looked after the road as road foreman, in the late sixties, snow and sometimes 10 inches of rain over night. We sealed the zig zag as well. Looks good now.
Kim Fentiman
I used to split b trains over the zig zag from 87 until the viaduct opened in 99
Robin Gibbens
Fabulous photo of the old and the new. Have done a few trips over the old road. Always liked it
Sue Coghlan
Hard to imagine we drove back and forth on the old road. Was rather scary at times.
Deb Louwman
Remember that old road so well
Helen Sheppard
Was on a bus up the big zag once and it had to keep stopping and starting to get off. Several people got off and walked up it was so scary!
Jennifer Griffin
Rode a horse up and over the zigzag part many years ago. Had many encounters with the local wildlife very magical
Maree Handy
This is so dam cool
Rob Lunn
Had the odd hair raising moment or seven on the Zig Zags as a young hoon right through to being a heavy transport driver pleased I didn’t have to travel over it by stage coach!!!
Badjah Wilson
Crossed over the zigzag many a time, was just another good old NZ road
Kim Fentiman
I used to split b trains over the zig zag from 87 until the viaduct opened in 99
22h
Reply
Ivan Murray Wilson
Kim Fentiman Hi Kim, how's it going?
5h
Reply
View 1 reply
Alison David Houston
The first time I graded snow was on the zig zag in a Champion 510A with pivot steer. Easy compared to Ed Evans in the Champions 686 doing a 3 or 4 point turn to get around some corners.
Mike Mora
Wonderful pictures
MIcheal Hunt
i cooked a car towing some wood joists from one of the demolished 2 story buildings in town
Tony Kokshoorn
Even in 1970, when I was licensed to drive at the age of 15,
the highway had to be forded twice over creeks between
Arthur’s Pass and Klondyke. It was essential to top up the
vehicle’s water and oil before motoring to Christchurch
via the zig-zag road over the pass. Dozens of dead possums
always littered the road during the journey over the
hill as we called it. There were no speed cameras and most
of the road was tar sealed.
On one occasion I abandoned my white car halfway up
the zig zag during a snow storm because a snow chain
slipped off the wheel, rupturing the brake oil pipe. Heavy
snow covered the car that night. The next morning the
road contractors clearing the pass completely demolished
the side of my vehicle as they graded down the zig zag.
In 2010, the highway with the Otira Viaduct is an excellent
road. The only bad stretch between Arthur’s Pass
and Klondyke will be straightened by the NZ Transport
Otira Agency over the next few years.
May be an image of arctic and text that says 'kiwisteven PA PASS PHOTNG'
Bob Jamieson
As a frequent driver over the pass, there were actually three fords. Greneys, Snow and Halprins streams.Rob Lunn
Had the odd hair raising moment or seven on the Zig Zags as a young hoon right through to being a heavy transport driver pleased I didn’t have to travel over it by stage coach!!!
Trevor Taylor
Zig Zag was so much more fun to drive.
Barry Beaton
Trevor Taylor not with a truck and trailer.
Ian Scott
Barry Beaton when up in a b double one late night with brain mcleary
Barry Beaton
Ian Scott yep,but never nice if you had to reverse,because of someone else doing the same thing.
Kim Fentiman
I used to split b trains over the zig zag from 87 until the viaduct opened in 99
Ivan Murray Wilson
Kim Fentiman Hi Kim, how's it going?
Kim Fentiman
Ivan Murray Wilson all good, Ive how retired life going , only a few more years for me. Are the fish still biting cheers mate
Anna Wright
Lots of trips over the old road when we were kids. Big cars back then, not a lot of room.
Zane Lightfoot
Anna Wright and the corrugated corners, making the car shudder felt like you were going over the side....lol.
Anna Wright
Zane Lightfoot yea, some scary episodes. My mother dreaded going over, especially the descent.
June Williams
Zane Lightfoot I remember the corrugations vividly. Sometimes the car jumped sideways around the corners.
Beverley Leopold
Many a trip was made on the old Otira zig zag, and some were very scary, especially in snowed conditions. Remember once we vacated the big old car that was sliding backwards to the edge of the downside of the road, I remember the driver telling us to GET and before he could say OUT Mum and myself were well and truly out , without the extra weight, or something, the driver managed to get back on track, but mum and I walked up the steep bit, was it called Candy's Bend? This was in the dark as it was night time.
Sean Broughton
I remember as a young fellah, spewing in the back seat of the blue mini, family wasn’t happy. And it was winter
Marie Wall
Did a 360 degree turn on one of the ford's when it had iced up my Mum was very impressed after she got over the shock.
As kids we often had to load up the boot of my uncles super snipe to get up to the top of candy's bend, he didn't like changing down to a lower gear, so the car stalled near the top. Great fun.
Hard to imagine we drove back and forth on the old road. Was rather scary at times.
David Verrall
That's one for the Livery Shed st the Heritage Park in Hokitika. Enlarged, on the back wall, above the Hall Coach which was the last stagecoach to travel the Pass. 3rd August 1923 was the last day!
Peter Spence
In 65' - slept in one morning and missed the railcar - being an important function, I grabbed a rental to go over the pass - all good until I got a puncture on a dangerous bend near the summit - what a mission to change the tyre and get moving again!
Sandra Douglas
As a kid I zig zagged that road every holidays..hated candy's bend was dangerous & going down hill ya had ya feet hard against the back of the seat ..no seatbelts..no chains in snow.. ya slid into bank..foggy ya just hoped ya were on the road...
Tony Price
Cindy Price you would not have liked the old. You be over the new Otira twice now
Margaret Grant
Used to tow a horse float with the holden ute up the old road never thought anything of it.
Dorothy Wills
Awesome Excellent photo
Christie Wilson
Rowanne McCann since we were talking about this yesterday, a great pic
Donna-Ann Barrett
Brilliant photos
Peter Logan
Used to drive machinery up and down there, breaks weren't to flash back in the day.
Kerry Molloy
rode the zigzag in a humungous fog once on my motorbike -stand up very very slow, follow white lines (barely visible)buttock clenching you bloody bet . ah but now its like driving the motorway.Mind you also blew motors in my pathfinder and hilux on the gorge so thank god for the viaduct cause towing over the zigzag dont bear thinking about!
Malcolm Yorston
I remember going up the zig zag in an old 36 hp 1956 VW 1,200 grinding up in first gear and our German shepherd ( that my FiL had fed possum to the night before) farted, had to open both doors as we were going up so we could breathe some fresh air.
Ian Buchanan
Had some scary trips over that part of the road
Sandra Dolbear
Wow
I remember it was scary
Fiona Pollard
I thought there were more zigs and zags... fond memories of that road, always an adventure
Trevor Taylor
Zig Zag was so much more fun to drive.
Helena Jefferys
Raeone Wallace Amy Symmers hated that part of the trip
David Verrall
Great photo...I've saved it for the Livery at the Heritage Park.
Tony Kokshoorn
Even in 1970, when I was licensed to drive at the age of 15,
the highway had to be forded twice over creeks between
Arthur’s Pass and Klondyke. It was essential to top up the
vehicle’s water and oil before motoring to Christchurch
via the zig-zag road over the pass. Dozens of dead possums
always littered the road during the journey over the
hill as we called it. There were no speed cameras and most
of the road was tar sealed.
On one occasion I abandoned my white car halfway up
the zig zag during a snow storm because a snow chain
slipped off the wheel, rupturing the brake oil pipe. Heavy
snow covered the car that night. The next morning the
road contractors clearing the pass completely demolished
the side of my vehicle as they graded down the zig zag.
In 2010, the highway with the Otira Viaduct is an excellent
road. The only bad stretch between Arthur’s Pass
and Klondyke will be straightened by the NZ Transport
Otira Agency over the next few years.
May be an image of arctic and text that says 'kiwisteven PA PASS PHOTNG'
Mark Nolan
Took my 1964 Anglia up the zig zag. 1st gear most of the way.
Sonia Dando
Remember traveling be
1960 68 when living in NZ going from Greymouth over this road
Then 1969 moved to Australia and 2004 took my grandkids from Australia over this wasn’t so bad but they were scare as we in Australia WA all roads open land
Alison Hale
Went up with glenys birchfeild heading to th cavalcade. Had to unload the horse and walk it up because we kept skidding and going backwards .hmm not the right gear. Lol.
Anna Wright
Lots of trips over the old road when we were kids. Big cars back then, not a lot of room.
Toni Sims
Raelene Holden I remember being with u and nearly getting blown off there in wind when they were building
Ian Murch
Over the old road many times in the late 30s
Diane Ross Rarere
Awesome pics!
Pat Scally Richardson
Lyza Saqacala Ellen Wilson Paul Francis Richardson Nadia Kerr
Michael James
Fond memories. My first car - a 65 cortina wagon struggled to get up the West Coast side, but then it was only a 1500 and blew clouds of blue smoke too!
May be an image of text
Julie Smith
Great photo we use to go over the hill heaps of times a bit scarey at night
Tui Waiheke
Wouldn’t have happened under this “ government “.
Linda Hawken
Yep we used to drive it before the viaduct was built. Never thought anything of it.
Matt Hawken
Linda Hawken
Donna O'Malley
Danny OMalley
Daphne Sharon OMalley In a Cadillac Eldorado with the brakes smoking!!
Margaret Grant
Used to tow a horse float with the holden ute up the old road never thought anything of it.
Caroline Horwood
Jeez dont miss towing over that zig zag in the dark.and wet...great photo!!!
Margaret Grant
It's a great photo certainly bringing back memories.
Vic Ollerenshaw
Looked after the road as road foreman, in the late sixties, snow and sometimes 10 inches of rain over night. We sealed the zig zag as well. Looks good now.
Kim Fentiman
I used to split b trains over the zig zag from 87 until the viaduct opened in 99
Robin Gibbens
Fabulous photo of the old and the new. Have done a few trips over the old road. Always liked it
Sue Coghlan
Hard to imagine we drove back and forth on the old road. Was rather scary at times.
Deb Louwman
Remember that old road so well
Helen Sheppard
Was on a bus up the big zag once and it had to keep stopping and starting to get off. Several people got off and walked up it was so scary!
Jennifer Griffin
Rode a horse up and over the zigzag part many years ago. Had many encounters with the local wildlife very magical
Maree Handy
This is so dam cool
Rob Lunn
Had the odd hair raising moment or seven on the Zig Zags as a young hoon right through to being a heavy transport driver pleased I didn’t have to travel over it by stage coach!!!
Badjah Wilson
Crossed over the zigzag many a time, was just another good old NZ road
Kim Fentiman
I used to split b trains over the zig zag from 87 until the viaduct opened in 99
22h
Reply
Ivan Murray Wilson
Kim Fentiman Hi Kim, how's it going?
5h
Reply
View 1 reply
Alison David Houston
The first time I graded snow was on the zig zag in a Champion 510A with pivot steer. Easy compared to Ed Evans in the Champions 686 doing a 3 or 4 point turn to get around some corners.
Mike Mora
Wonderful pictures
MIcheal Hunt
i cooked a car towing some wood joists from one of the demolished 2 story buildings in town
Tony Kokshoorn
Even in 1970, when I was licensed to drive at the age of 15,
the highway had to be forded twice over creeks between
Arthur’s Pass and Klondyke. It was essential to top up the
vehicle’s water and oil before motoring to Christchurch
via the zig-zag road over the pass. Dozens of dead possums
always littered the road during the journey over the
hill as we called it. There were no speed cameras and most
of the road was tar sealed.
On one occasion I abandoned my white car halfway up
the zig zag during a snow storm because a snow chain
slipped off the wheel, rupturing the brake oil pipe. Heavy
snow covered the car that night. The next morning the
road contractors clearing the pass completely demolished
the side of my vehicle as they graded down the zig zag.
In 2010, the highway with the Otira Viaduct is an excellent
road. The only bad stretch between Arthur’s Pass
and Klondyke will be straightened by the NZ Transport
Otira Agency over the next few years.
May be an image of arctic and text that says 'kiwisteven PA PASS PHOTNG'
Bob Jamieson
As a frequent driver over the pass, there were actually three fords. Greneys, Snow and Halprins streams.Rob Lunn
Had the odd hair raising moment or seven on the Zig Zags as a young hoon right through to being a heavy transport driver pleased I didn’t have to travel over it by stage coach!!!
Trevor Taylor
Zig Zag was so much more fun to drive.
Barry Beaton
Trevor Taylor not with a truck and trailer.
Ian Scott
Barry Beaton when up in a b double one late night with brain mcleary
Barry Beaton
Ian Scott yep,but never nice if you had to reverse,because of someone else doing the same thing.
Kim Fentiman
I used to split b trains over the zig zag from 87 until the viaduct opened in 99
Ivan Murray Wilson
Kim Fentiman Hi Kim, how's it going?
Kim Fentiman
Ivan Murray Wilson all good, Ive how retired life going , only a few more years for me. Are the fish still biting cheers mate
Anna Wright
Lots of trips over the old road when we were kids. Big cars back then, not a lot of room.
Zane Lightfoot
Anna Wright and the corrugated corners, making the car shudder felt like you were going over the side....lol.
Anna Wright
Zane Lightfoot yea, some scary episodes. My mother dreaded going over, especially the descent.
June Williams
Zane Lightfoot I remember the corrugations vividly. Sometimes the car jumped sideways around the corners.
Beverley Leopold
Many a trip was made on the old Otira zig zag, and some were very scary, especially in snowed conditions. Remember once we vacated the big old car that was sliding backwards to the edge of the downside of the road, I remember the driver telling us to GET and before he could say OUT Mum and myself were well and truly out , without the extra weight, or something, the driver managed to get back on track, but mum and I walked up the steep bit, was it called Candy's Bend? This was in the dark as it was night time.
Sean Broughton
I remember as a young fellah, spewing in the back seat of the blue mini, family wasn’t happy. And it was winter
Marie Wall
Did a 360 degree turn on one of the ford's when it had iced up my Mum was very impressed after she got over the shock.
As kids we often had to load up the boot of my uncles super snipe to get up to the top of candy's bend, he didn't like changing down to a lower gear, so the car stalled near the top. Great fun.
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West Coast New Zealand History (3rd Jun 2024). Otira Viaduct and old zig-zag road.1999.. In Website West Coast New Zealand History. Retrieved 8th Nov 2025 12:50, from https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/33482