The West Coast - truly different!

Spectacular river gorges, rainforest, limestone caves, blowholes, glaciers, mountain ranges and ghost towns are all here in the wonderful West Coast of New Zealand's South Island.

The Coast, preserved in all or part of five National Parks, is a long 600 kilometre, narrow strip bound on the east by giant, imposing mountain ranges and by a wild, rugged coastline on the west. Yet, despite its isolation and sparse 35,444 population, the West Coast is serviced by top quality backpacker and budget accommodation and efficient transport services.

Karamea is a peaceful paradise situated at the northern end of the West Coast. Its "road end" location gives it a special "off the beaten track" feel. With its lush native bush and a beautiful coastline Karamea offers access to the Oparara Arches, Honeycomb Caves and the start of the Heaphy Track, rich unspoilt rainforest stretching across a broad valley floor.

The West Coast has a wide range of walking tracks suited to all fitness levels and guided tours to help you enjoy this beautiful natural untouched world to the full.

Westport is a scenic drive south from Karamea, where adventure activities, with jet boat trips through the spectacular Buller Gorge, underworld and white water rafting, horse riding and gold panning are available throughout the region. Westport is renowned for its big finds of gold in the late 1860's. But it is more recently coal mining which has shaped the area.
Travelling south on the Coast Road, voted one of the top ten scenic drives in the world, you'll come to Punakaiki and the famous Pancake Rocks. Columns of limestone resembling stacks of pancakes. At high tide with a heavy swell running, seawater is forced upwards through blowholes creating a spectacular site that is a must see on the West Coast.
Wherever you travel on the Coast you are never far from water. Rivers, lakes and lagoons and the ever present sea are the backdrop for exploring the land. Lake Brunner, Mahinapua and Kaniere offer travellers the opportunity to swim in the clear, unpolluted rivers and lakes of the Coast, and also provide some of the best freshwater sport fishing in the world. Brown trout weighing three to four pounds can be taken from virtually any waterway. Opportunities abound to get out on the water and try your hand at Trout fishing or sit back and relax during a scenic lake tour.

Wildlife is abundant both on the coastline and in the forests. Seals are common with large colonies at Cape Foulwind, Westport and in South Westland as are the rarest dolphins in the world, Hectors dolphin found up and down the coast. The comical mountain parrot, the Kea, can often be found at unusually low altitudes and is renowned and respected for its mischievousness. At night the bush-lined roads and walking tracks are dotted with the small blue lights of glow worms.

South of Punakaiki and the business centre of the West Coast, Greymouth is a bustling town and the ‘hub' of rural West Coast. It offers travellers the opportunity to catch up with the outside world, and also a chance to glimpse the ‘west coast of old' at the fascinating Shantytown - This authentic village provides experiences of life in a pioneering town in the gold rush era. You can pan for gold at the gold dam and visit an early working sawmill.

Further south and situated beside the sea with a view of distant mountains is Hokitika - a relaxed and friendly town. Here you can visit craft studios where artisans draw inspiration from the rugged West Coast environment which is reflected in their work. When the West Coast gold rushes began in 1864 Hokitika was transformed into a bustling commercial centre in a matter of months. Both Hokitika and Greymouth are renowned for expertly crafted greenstone jewellery and sculptures.

Travelling south of Hokitika the road is scenic and easy driving through to the World Heritage area of South Westland. Ninety minutes south of Hokitika you will come to Okarito, home of the Okarito Kiwi. Okarito Kiwi tours offer a great opportunity to view the kiwi in its own natural habitat in the depths of the night.

As you come upon the vibrant village of Franz Josef with some of New Zealand's highest peaks towering above you, you can't help but realise just how special this part of the West Coast is. The only place outside of Argentina that ice meets rainforest, Fox and Franz Josef both offer awe inspiring, spectacular experiences to view and interact with these mighty, mountainous glaciers.

Near Lake Moeraki, south of the glaciers as you are travelling to Haast, you will find the world's rarest penguin - Fiordland Crested Penguin. The only place in the world to host this rare penguin, they nest in the bush here, and it is truly something special to watch them as they to and fro from the coast.

Haast is the heart of the World Heritage area. Scenic jet boat tours offer travellers a real perspective into the absolute remoteness of this area which is also a bird watchers paradise.

Whatever the weather, you'll be happy that you made the journey to the wild and wonderful West Coast of the Southern Alps - a truly different part of the country which offers lasting memories of good times and world class scenery.

For more information www.west-coast.co.nz or contact the local visitor information centres directly as listed below -

Arthurs Pass

Ph 03 318 9211 Email arthurspassvc@doc.govt.nz

Franz Josef

Ph 03 752 0796 Email westlandnpvc@doc.govt.nz - www.glaciercountry.co.nz

Greymouth

Ph 03 768 5101 Email greymouth@i-site.org.nz - www.greydistrict.co.nz

Haast

Ph 03 750 0809 Email haastvc@doc.govt.nz

Hokitika

Ph 03 755 6166 Email enquiries@hokitikainfo.co.nz - www.hokitika.org

Punakaiki

Ph 03 731 1896 Email paparoavc@doc.govt.nz - www.punakaiki.co.nz

Reefton

Ph 03 732 8391 www.reefton.co.nz

Westport

Ph 03 789 6658 Email westport.info@xtra.co.nz - www.westport.org.nz