New Zealand State Highway 75
Encyclopedia
State Highway 75 is a State Highway
in New Zealand
servicing the Banks Peninsula
region, connecting Christchurch
on the northwestern part of the peninsula with Akaroa
towards the east coast. It is wholly two lane (with the exception of some passing lanes near Hilltop), but partially functions as a major arterial corridor of Christchurch. Its highest point is at Hilltop, where it rises to about 555 m - just 8 m lower than the more mountainous Haast Pass
in the Southern Alps
.
The highway currently begins at the intersection of Curletts Road and Christchurch Southern Motorway
(both SH 73
). Currently at-grade, this is being upgraded to a roundabout interchange
. At Curletts Road, the road proceeds as a short expressway to the southeast until it reaches the intersection of Hoon Hay Road and Halswell Road. SH 75 turns right onto Halswell Road, and continues in a southwesterly direction until it just passes the settlement of Halswell
.
Now known Tai Tapu Road, the road skirts the outer edges of Banks Peninsula while passing through arable farmland to reach the settlement of Tai Tapu. The road then changes name to Christchurch Akaroa Highway while continuing to skirt between Lake Ellesmere
and the hills until Birdling's Flat
, where it turns sharply into the hills of Banks Peninsula while hugging the shore of Lake Forsyth
. The road proceeds through Western Valley to Little River
and Cooptown.
After Cooptown, the road then begins to climb in a zigzag fashion towards Hilltop Saddle, which is frequently covered under snow during winter cold fronts. After Hilltop, the road descends in a similar fashion onto Akaroa Harbour at Barrys Bay. The road then hugs the shoreline as it passes through Duvauchelle
and Takamatua before descending into Akaroa
.
New Zealand State Highway network
The New Zealand State Highway network is the major national highway network in New Zealand. Just under 100 roads in both the North and South Islands are State Highways...
in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
servicing the Banks Peninsula
Banks Peninsula
Banks Peninsula is a peninsula of volcanic origin on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It has an area of approximately and encompasses two large harbours and many smaller bays and coves...
region, connecting Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
on the northwestern part of the peninsula with Akaroa
Akaroa
Akaroa is a village on Banks Peninsula in the Canterbury region of the South Island of New Zealand, situated within a harbour of the same name—the name Akaroa is Kāi Tahu Māori for 'Long Harbour'.- Overview :...
towards the east coast. It is wholly two lane (with the exception of some passing lanes near Hilltop), but partially functions as a major arterial corridor of Christchurch. Its highest point is at Hilltop, where it rises to about 555 m - just 8 m lower than the more mountainous Haast Pass
Haast Pass
Haast Pass is a mountain pass in the Southern Alps of the South Island of New Zealand. It is named for Julius von Haast, a 19th century explorer who was also geologist for the Provincial government of Canterbury...
in the Southern Alps
Southern Alps
The Southern Alps is a mountain range extending along much of the length of New Zealand's South Island, reaching its greatest elevations near the island's western side...
.
Route
As of May 2010, this is the current route of the highway:The highway currently begins at the intersection of Curletts Road and Christchurch Southern Motorway
Christchurch Southern Motorway
The Christchurch Southern Motorway is a short motorway that forms part of State Highway 73 in the south west of Christchurch, New Zealand. At its eastern end it connects to Brougham Street and at its western end it merges north onto Curletts Road and ends at Blenheim Road...
(both SH 73
New Zealand State Highway 73
State Highway 73 is a major east-west South Island State Highway in New Zealand connecting Christchurch on the east coast with Greymouth/Hokitika on the west coast via the Southern Alps...
). Currently at-grade, this is being upgraded to a roundabout interchange
Roundabout interchange
A roundabout interchange is a type of interchange between a controlled access highway such as a motorway or freeway, and a minor road, in which the slip roads to and from the motorway carriageways converge at a single roundabout, which is grade-separated from the motorway lanes with bridges...
. At Curletts Road, the road proceeds as a short expressway to the southeast until it reaches the intersection of Hoon Hay Road and Halswell Road. SH 75 turns right onto Halswell Road, and continues in a southwesterly direction until it just passes the settlement of Halswell
Halswell
Halswell is a satellite town of Christchurch, New Zealand, located in open country nine kilometres southwest of the city centre on State Highway 75...
.
Now known Tai Tapu Road, the road skirts the outer edges of Banks Peninsula while passing through arable farmland to reach the settlement of Tai Tapu. The road then changes name to Christchurch Akaroa Highway while continuing to skirt between Lake Ellesmere
Lake Ellesmere
Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora is located in the Canterbury Region of the South Island of New Zealand. It is actually a broad, shallow lagoon located directly to the west of Banks Peninsula, separated from the Pacific Ocean by a long narrow sandy spit called Kaitorete Spit, or more correctly Kaitorete...
and the hills until Birdling's Flat
Birdling's Flat
Birdling's Flat, originally named Poranui, is a settlement in Canterbury, New Zealand, close to the shore of Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora.Birdling's Flat also commonly refers to the nearby pebble beach that is part of Kaitorete Spit...
, where it turns sharply into the hills of Banks Peninsula while hugging the shore of Lake Forsyth
Lake Forsyth
Lake Forsyth is a lake in the Canterbury region of New Zealand.It is fed by the Takiritawai River, a short arm of the Okuti River, and exits via a gravel bank into the sea in the vicinity of the small community of Birdling's Flat.State Highway 75 leading to Akaroa and part of the Little River Rail...
. The road proceeds through Western Valley to Little River
Little River, New Zealand
Little River is a town in New Zealand on Banks Peninsula in the Canterbury district.-Location:Little River is approximately 30 minutes drive from Akaroa on Banks Peninsula, a major South Island tourist destination, and 45 minutes drive from Christchurch. It is on State Highway 75, which links...
and Cooptown.
After Cooptown, the road then begins to climb in a zigzag fashion towards Hilltop Saddle, which is frequently covered under snow during winter cold fronts. After Hilltop, the road descends in a similar fashion onto Akaroa Harbour at Barrys Bay. The road then hugs the shoreline as it passes through Duvauchelle
Duvauchelle
Duvauchelle is a small town situated at the head of Akaroa Harbour on Banks Peninsula in New Zealand. State Highway 75 passes through the town. The Onawe Peninsula separates Duvauchelle bay from Barry's Bay....
and Takamatua before descending into Akaroa
Akaroa
Akaroa is a village on Banks Peninsula in the Canterbury region of the South Island of New Zealand, situated within a harbour of the same name—the name Akaroa is Kāi Tahu Māori for 'Long Harbour'.- Overview :...
.