Lewis Pass (New Zealand)

Lewis Pass is one of just three alpine passes on the South Island of New Zealand allowing a path through the central spine of mountains that cuts the long narrow island in two. It was named after the surveyor who discovered the path through in the 1860s, though was exploited by the native Maori for many centuries before that, especially for the exchange of the valued greenstone. It provided a vital thoroughfare for the passage of produce. Highlighted by snow-capped mountains, rugged scrubby bushes, sharp beech-forested valleys and alpine lakes, the pass contains a number of fine walks (or tramping as the Kiwis describe it).

I travelled as a guest of Qantas Airways on The Great Crusade, a promotion highlighting the best of New Zealand while following the endeavours of the Qantas Wallabies to win the Rugby World Cup. The journey can be followed via Twitter hashtag #greatcrusade.