The Lindis Pass () (elevation 971 m) is located in the

South Island The South Island ( , 'the waters of Pounamu, Greenstone') is the largest of the three major islands of New Zealand by surface area, the others being the smaller but more populous North Island and Stewart Island. It is bordered to the north by ...

of New Zealand. The Lindis Pass lies between the valleys of the Lindis and Ahuriri Rivers. It lies between the towns of Cromwell (78 km, 55 minutes drive) in

Central Otago Central Otago is an area located in the inland part of the Otago region in the South Island of New Zealand. The motto for the area is "A World of Difference". The area is dominated by mountain ranges and the upper reaches of the Clutha River ...

and

Omarama Omarama is a small town (population 291 as of the 2018 census) at the junction of State Highway 8 (New Zealand), State Highways 8 and New Zealand State Highway 83, 83, near the southern end of the Mackenzie Basin, in the South Island of New Ze ...

(32 km, 21 minutes drive) in

North Otago North Otago is an area in New Zealand that covers the area of the Otago region between Shag Point and the Waitaki River, and extends inland to the west as far as the village of Omarama (which has experienced rapid growth as a developing centre f ...

, on the main inland route to

Canterbury Canterbury (, ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, city and UNESCO World Heritage Site, in the county of Kent, England; it was a county borough until 1974. It lies on the River Stour, Kent, River Stour. The city has a mild oceanic climat ...

Mackenzie Basin The Mackenzie Basin (), popularly and traditionally known as the Mackenzie Country, is an elliptical intermontane river basin, basin located in the Mackenzie District, Mackenzie and Waitaki Districts, near the centre of the South Island of Ne ...

. State Highway 8 transverses the pass on its route from the Waitaki Basin to Central Otago. The pass is the highest point on the South Island's state highway network, and the second highest point on the

New Zealand state highway network The New Zealand state highway network is the major national highway network in New Zealand. Nearly 100 roads in the North Island, North and South Islands are state highways. All state highways are administered by the NZ Transport Agency. The ...

, after the Desert Road on SH 1 in the central

North Island The North Island ( , 'the fish of Māui', historically New Ulster) is one of the two main islands of New Zealand, islands of New Zealand, separated from the larger but less populous South Island by Cook Strait. With an area of , it is the List ...

. Despite this, it is not considered one of the alpine passes as it located in the dry interior of the South Island. Summers are typically hot and dry while heavy snow and frequent ice are common in winter. The Lindis Pass had a web camera installed in 2018 to help ensure traffic controllers and maintenance crews can monitor the highway, as well as informing travellers so they are prepared for road conditions. Vehicle crashes on the Lindis Pass have occurred regularly. The lack of cellphone coverage around the Lindis Pass adds to the danger of crashes, as rescue services may not learn of any crashes for some time. The New Zealand Transport Agency has upgraded aspects of SH 8 over the Lindis Pass by installing new wire-rope safety barriers, improving signage and installing electronic speed warnings in 2013. A carpark at the top of the pass provides access to a viewpoint and two short trails to other viewing spots. The pass is surrounded on all sides by grassland which includes snow tussock. Buttercups (''ranunculus haastii'') are very common on nearby Longslip Mountain (elevation ). Kārearea (New Zealand falcon), pihoihoi (New Zealand pipit), and spotted skink can be seen in the Lindis Pass. The lower altitude beech forests and shrublands provide habitat for pīwakawaka (fantail), riroriro (grey warbler), and tītitipounamu (rifleman).

References

{{Central Otago Landforms of Otago Mountain passes of New Zealand Transport in Otago