Darfield, New Zealand

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Darfield is a town in the South Island of New Zealand. It is located 45 kilometres west from the outskirts of Christchurch, New Zealand on State Highway 73 (The great Alpine highway) and the The town is on the Midland railway line, route of the famous TranzAlpine train service. Its population (2001 census) is 1,362.

Darfield is the main town between Christchurch and the West Coast, New Zealand. It is often called "The township under the Nor'west arch", in reference to a characteristic weather phenomenon, which often displays an arch of cloud above an otherwise clear sky to the west of the township. This is caused by the condensation of water particles channeled upwards over the Southern Alps.

Darfield lies in the Malvern district's arable and pastoral farming area. It is a gateway to the scenic Waimakariri and Rakaia Rivers and the Southern Alps, and is also a popular lift-off place for hot-air ballooning.

The TranzAlpine passenger train stops: (Midland line)
Christchurch \| Rolleston \| Darfield \| Cass \| Springfield \| Arthur's Pass \| Otira \| Jacksons \| Moana \| Brunner \| Greymouth