Major city · New Zealand
Springfield
Stop 45–60 min on the Arthur's Pass drive for fuel, the doughnut and a pie; sleep here only if you want a cheap bed before the pass.
Springfield is a small foothills town on State Highway 73, the last fuel before Arthur's Pass and the gateway to the Craigieburn ski fields. Almost nobody needs a night here: it is a 45–60 minute leg-stretch between Christchurch and the pass, with one sculpture, one memorial and a café. Sleep here only for a cheap bed, a ski base or a late arrival off the TranzAlpine.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- NZD
- Best months
- Dec–Mar for the pass and ski-field walks; Jul–Sep for snow
- avoid Jun–Aug for a first drive over the pass unless you carry chains
- Airport
- CHC
- Nights
- 0–1
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- New Zealand ↗Visa-waiver visitors need an NZeTA (with the tourism levy) before travel, including many transit passengers; others need a visa. Apply only through Immigration New Zealand or its official app, and check the rules for your passport.
- New Zealand ↗Declare all food, plant and animal products, and used outdoor gear such as hiking boots and tents, on the New Zealand Traveller Declaration; undeclared risk items bring instant fines.
- New Zealand ↗Drive on the left; give way as signed at one-lane bridges; an English-language licence or one with an approved translation or International Driving Permit is required.
- New Zealand ↗Freedom camping is restricted: sleep in a vehicle only where signed as allowed, and in many places only in certified self-contained vehicles.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Springfield111 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Springfield, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the New Zealand dollar (NZD, NZ$).New Zealand-wide
- SIM or eSIMOne NZ, Spark and 2degrees sell tourist SIMs at Auckland and Christchurch arrivals and in supermarkets; passport not required.New Zealand-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe almost everywhere; follow boil-water notices in small rural schemes.New Zealand-wide
- TippingCafé or restaurant: Nothing expected; 10% for very good service at dinner is a bonus.New Zealand-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.New Zealand-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets in every town and at most lookouts; DOC long-drops on tracks.New Zealand-wide
- Emergency numbers111 police, fire, ambulance · 105 Non-urgent police · *555 Traffic and road incidents (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops closed Good Friday, Easter Sunday, ANZAC Day morning and Christmas Day by law; small-town shops close by 17:00 and on Sunday afternoons…Shops closed Good Friday, Easter Sunday, ANZAC Day morning and Christmas Day by law; small-town shops close by 5:00 PM and on Sunday afternoons…New Zealand-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCHC Christchurch Airport (About 1 h 15 min by road via SH73; the usual arrival point for Springfield.).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeNZ$5–7 (≈ US$3–5)
- Street or quick mealPie or sandwichNZ$6–12 (≈ US$4–8)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekNZ$20–50 (≈ US$12–30)
- Budget bedBackpacker or shared bed, a night, per personNZ$40 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomNZ$160 (≈ US$95)
- High-end bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomNZ$260 (≈ US$160)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget NZ$80 (≈ US$50) · Mid NZ$140 (≈ US$85) · High NZ$240 (≈ US$150)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CHC Christchurch Airport (About 1 h 15 min by road via SH73; the usual arrival point for Springfield.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Feb
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Mar
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Apr
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Jun
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Jul
Care
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Aug
Care
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Sep
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Oct
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Nov
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Dec
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Best: Sep, Dec–Mar. Mixed: Jul–Aug. Avoid: Jun. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)), coolest Jul (−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C) low), wettest Oct (10 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Springfield: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Feb
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
7 rd
Mar
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
May
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
9 rd
Jun
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
9 rd
Jul
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
9 rd
Aug
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
9 rd
Sep
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
9 rd
Oct
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
Nov
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
Dec
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. State Highway 73 runs through the village; the TranzAlpine stops once daily each way and East West Coaches pass through, but neither helps you reach the ski fields or the pass trailheads. Fuel up here before the pass: the next station is a long way west.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h to the village
Drive SH73 west over Porters Pass and the Otira Gorge
The reason most people are on this road. Check the pass status before leaving.
Craigieburn ski fields
cautionDoor to door: About 30–45 min
Drive Broken River / Craigieburn Valley access roads off SH73
Club fields with gravel access roads; 4WD or chains in winter.
Door to door: About 1 h 15 min
Drive SH73 southeast via Darfield
The natural base for this stretch of Canterbury.
Door to door: About 3 h
Drive inland via Darfield and the inland scenic route
Too far for a return day from Springfield.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Springfield village (SH73)
The only real option: a hotel and a motel on the main road. Book ahead in ski season.
Craigieburn and the ski fields
No village; lodges and club huts up the valley, mostly for skiers and trampers.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- NZ$80–130 (≈ US$50–80) excl. bed
- Mid
- NZ$130–220 (≈ US$80–130) excl. bed
- High
- NZ$220 (≈ US$130)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or hotel double room1 × 1 night × NZ$160 | NZ$160 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × NZ$140 | NZ$280 |
| Fuel, Christchurch return (about 160 km)1 × NZ$35 · check | NZ$35 |
| Café lunch or pie2 × NZ$20 | NZ$40 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × NZ$30 | NZ$60 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | NZ$58 |
| Trip total≈ NZ$317 per person per day, bed included | NZ$633≈ US$400 |
2026 estimate in NZ dollars; fuel and ski passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | NZ$5–7 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Pie or sandwich | NZ$6–12 (≈ US$4–8) |
| Café meal | NZ$18–28 (≈ US$11–17) |
| Motel or hotel double roomHigher in ski season. | NZ$110–260 (≈ US$65–160) |
| Petrol, per litre | NZ$2.50–3.00 (≈ US$2) (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | NZ$20–50 (≈ US$12–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The last fuel before Arthur's Pass: fill up here, not on the mountain.
- SH73 over the pass closes in snow and slips; check the NZTA journey planner before you commit.
- The TranzAlpine is a scenic service, not a commuter train: one train each way per day, and it will not wait.
- Springfield Motors runs the local salvage truck: if you break down, this is the number to find.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 111
- Non-urgent police
- 105
- Traffic and road incidents
- *555
Pocket card
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SpringfieldSpringfield
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Ki tēnei wāhi, koaTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance111
- Non-urgent police105
- Traffic and road incidents*555
Embassy
No embassies here; most are in Wellington, with consulates in Christchurch and Auckland.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- TranzAlpine, Springfield → Christchurch: once daily, about 1 h 30 min (check)
- TranzAlpine, Springfield → Greymouth: once daily, morning departure (check)
- East West Coaches, Springfield → Christchurch: daily afternoon service (check)
Say or show
- Kia ora — Thank you
- Koa — Please
- Kei hea te wharepaku? — Where is the toilet?
- E hia te utu? — How much is it?
Fuel before the pass, and check the SH73 status before you drive it.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Springfield. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Mar for the pass and ski-field walks; Jul–Sep for snow · avoid Jun–Aug for a first drive over the pass unless you carry chains · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Fuel, café and pass-status fixtures for the SH73 corridor, field-checked in winter.
- Ski-field access pages with chain and 4WD rules for Craigieburn, Broken River and Porter Heights.
- TranzAlpine stop pages with the once-daily timetable and the Christchurch and Greymouth connections.
- Cheap-bed pages for the village hotel and motel with ski-season cutoffs.