West Coast

The West Coast region stretches 600 km’s along the western side of the South Island & never more than 50 kilometres wide. It’s a region of rivers and rainforests, glaciers and geological treasures
PROXIMITY
  • 3¼ hour drive from Christchurch to Greymouth crossing the Southern Alps over the spectacular Arthur’s Pass.
  • 45 min flight from Hokitika to Christchurch
  • 1 hour flight from Westport to Christchurch
STAY
  • From hotels, motels & lodges in the area, or meet the local people by staying at a B+B or homestay. The West Coast offers travellers a wide range of accommodation. Some of our favourite places to stay include:
  • Bella Vista Motel Franz Josef Glacier
  • Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier
  • Distinction Fox Glacier Hotel
  • Bella Vista Greymouth
  • Copthorne Hotel, Greymouth
  • Beachfront Hotel, Hokitika
  • Hotel Lake Brunner
  • The Last Resort, Karamea
  • Scenic Hotel Resort, Punakaiki
  • Hokitika Fire Station Boutique Accommodation
  • Te Waonui Forest Retreat, Franz Josef
SEE + DO
  • The long stretching region of the West Coast is as rugged as it gets. Any adventurous and curious traveller will not get bored in this region.
  • Take a guided tour with one of the many glacier guiding companies that operate in Glacier Country.
  • Join a Scenic Cruise on Lake Mapourika - just minutes from Franz Josef Glacier
  • Go behind the scenes to see the kiwi hatching programme at the West Coast Wildlife Centre
  • Enjoy a soak at Maruia Hot Springs, a historical natural thermal mineral spring located in the Lewis Pass National Reserve.
  • From wading birds to rainforest orchids, tidal lagoon wetlands and ancient plants and trees and river waterways - the Okarito EcoTour showcases it all
  • Visit the pancake rocks in Punakaiki – the most visited natural attraction on the West Coast with good reason, they really do look like pancakes!
  • The Hokitika Gorge is well worth a visit with its vivid turquoise water surrounded by lush native bush
  • Grab your bike and explore the West Coast Wilderness Trail that showcases some of the most outstanding scenery on the West Coast .
  • See epic vistas, travel the edges of the ice-fed Waimakariri River, traverse the Southern Alps and see miles of native beech forest on the TranzAlpine train between Christchurch and Greymouth.
  • Learn to carve your own jade souvenir near Hokitika where jade is plentiful