A Visit To The West Coast Of The South Island Is A MUST DO!
The West Coast, or 'the Coast' as locals call it, is an untamed natural wilderness of rivers and rainforests, glaciers and geological treasures.
It is very easy to include the West Coast when planning your South Island trip. You can basically do a loop around the South Island. It doesn't matter where you begin, either fly into Christchurch, Queenstown or Dunedin or drive from the ferry in Picton.
It is better to have your own transport as the West Coast is 600km long (but never more than 50km wide). In fact, the Great Coast Road stretching from Westport to Greymouth was recently voted one of the top 10 coastal drives in the world by Lonely Planet.
Meet the ‘coasters’ as the locals are known and you’ll find a bunch of independent, self-reliant but hugely friendly and hospitable people. Sit down and have a beer with them and they’ll regale you with west coast stories. Accommodation can be a cosy B&B, luxury lodge or character hotel; all of it excellent value.
Here are our top picks of things to see and do on the West Coast.
1. Hokitika Gorge: Vivid turquoise waters, stunning rainforest bush walk.
A visit to the West Coast isn't complete without a trip to the Hokitika Gorge.
"Everybody’s highlight destination, the Hokitika Gorge Walk offers the West Coast’s easiest, most scenically satisfying experience, accessible right through the seasons, rain and shine.
It’s an easy stroll following the trail through mature forest along the banks of the Hokitika River and to the sheer rocky gorge flowing with extraordinarily turquoise blue water. Other highlights include an impressive swing bridge across the river, several viewpoints with spectacular views, curving boardwalks and access down to a small beach.
The beautifully-formed walkway (2.4 km / 1 hr 30 in and out) is pushchair and child-friendly, and the track is accessible for wheelchairs with assistance.
Times and distances (one way)
- Upper Gorge suspension bridge: 900 m, 30 min
- Lower Gorge viewing platform: 1.2 km, 45 mins" Source credit www.westcoast.co.nz
2. Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier: Visit the Franz Josef and Fox glaciers. These giant rivers of ice have squeezed down the valleys to just 250 metres above sea level.
The Māori name for the glacier is Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere, The tears of Hine Hukatere, arising from a local legend: Hine Hukatere loved climbing in the mountains and persuaded her lover, Wawe, to climb with her. Wawe was a less experienced climber than Hine Hukatere but loved to accompany her until an avalanche swept Wawe from the peaks to his death. Hine Hukatere was broken-hearted and her many, many tears flowed down the mountain and froze to form the glacier. Following the passage of the Ngai Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998, the name of the glacier was officially altered to Franz Josef Glacier/Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere.
Don't like hiking on a glacier? Hire a quad bike and explore the area, head to Okarito and see the Kotuku nesting area at the lagoon or join a kayak group at Lake Mapourika.
Relax after a hard day hiking in the Franz Josef Glacier Hot Pools.
3. Punakaiki: The pancake rocks and blowholes at Punakaiki are among the West Coast’s most famous sights and a definite 'must-see' in this region. You can also hire SUPs, kayaks
4. West Coast Tree Top Walkway: Take in the views from the new Westcoast Treetop Walk among ancient rimu forest and listen to the native birds while walking high up in the forest canopy.
5. Find and/or carve jade (pomanumu): Carve your own pounamu pendant. The West Coast is New Zealand’s only source of greenstone (pounamu) with the boulders found in the West Coast rivers. In Hokitika you can take a tour and watch the greenstone carvers at work. Book a session with Steve at Bonz n' Stonz and bring home your own piece of art.
6. Oparara Arches: Admire the stunning Oparara Arches in the north near Karamea and go on a cave adventure with Underworld Adventures in Charleston.
7. The Blue Pools: Wander through beautiful native forests and over a swing bridge to experience the pristine waters of Makarora River's Blue Pools.
8. Lake Matheson: Take a short walk to Lake Matheson (near Fox Glacier) and capture the perfect photograph of snow-capped Mount Cook reflected in the dark waters.
8. Dorothy Falls, Lake Kaniere: On the way to the Hokitika Gorge you must stop off at Lake Kaniere and Dorothy Falls. Perfect spot for those Instagram reflective shots, misty lake, beautiful and easily accessible waterfall. Only 1 minute walk from the road.
9. Sunset at Sunset Point, Hokitika Beach: The West Coast of the South Island has some of the most incredible sunsets on the planet! Tourists flock to Sunset Point to get that amazing shot that eveybody wants. You don't have to go to Sunset Point though - you can see it anywhere along the beach so if you don't want others around you, just move further along. Often you can find a spot where you are the only one there!
10. A visit to Greymouth: Stop in at Monteiths Brewery and take a tour, taste the beers and have bite to eat. Try your hand at gold panning and take a ride on the steam train at Shantytown. Check out the Brunner Mine memorial site or walk the wild beach at Rapahoe.
11. Meet the locals, have a beer or two at a real West Coast pub: There are so many gorgeous little West Coast pubs to choose from. Cold beer and warm fires along with some interesting local characters can be found all along the coast. Stop in anywhere along your route and enjoy some real West Coast hospitality.
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