West Coast

West Coast

Nearby

Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers Nelson/Marlborough Wanaka Arthurs Pass Christchurch

West Coast: Understand

Population ~ 32,000

The South Island’s West Coast of New Zealand is a narrow coastal strip which runs parallel to the Southern Alps. It’s known for it’s frequent rain, which brings with it stunning, moody scenes in the forest and on the coast. The sunsets on the West Coast are spectacular.

Sunset in Hokitika

West Coast: See & Do

Just driving along State Highway 6 showcases the beauty and ruggedness of the West Coast. And when the views are just too much, you can put your indicator on and get some snappies from a viewpoint. Below we’ve included some noteworthy points to stop along the way!

State Highway 6 – West Coast

Places on the West Coast (from North to South)

Karamea

Karamea is the northernmost town on the West Coast, and for us there would be two reasons to visit:

  1. To start or finish the Heaphy Track
  2. To visit the Oparara Basin and Arches

The Heaphy Track is one of New Zealand’s 9 Great Walks, which means it has a very well formed track with good hut facilities. It is 78.4km in total, so most hikers take 4 days, 3 nights to complete it. The Heaphy can be walked in either direction, Kohaihai near Karamea, or Brown Hut in Golden Bay. These locations can make this logistically difficult to loop back to your vehicle. There are transport options available to return you to your starting point, but allow a minimum of 7 hours for this drive. Alternatively, from Kohaihai to Heaphy Hut and returning to Kohaihai has become a popular 2-day, 1-night option.

20km North of Karamea is the Opara Basin and Arches tucked away in the Kahurangi National Park. The arches have been sculpted by the Opara River! 3 great short walks include:

  • Oparara Arch – 1km 20-minute walk one-way
  • Moria Gate Arch – 1.2km 30-minute walk one-way
  • Mirror Tarn (tarn = small mountain lake) – 600m, 10-minute walk one-way

Note: the road getting here is gravel, narrow, windy and bumpy! There is a 2.8 metre height restriction, so if you are travelling by campervan check the height. If it’s above 2.8m you can still get to Oparara with a shuttle from Karamea, just check with the Karamea Information Centre for details.

Old Ghost Road

Old Ghost Road is an 85km trail for hikers and mountain bikers – one of our absolute highlights on the West Coast! You can even get a helicopter to drop you and shorten the route, or take you back to your start point! We love that it feels like they built the huts at their favourite tea spots! From Lyell to Seddonville, highlights include Heavens Door, Skyline Steps and views, views, views!

Old Ghost Road – Lyell entrance
Old Ghost Road Skyline Steps
Old Ghost Road
Helicopter rides to Ghost Lake Hut
Ghost Lake Hut
Old Ghost Road
Specimen Point (featuring a private hut)

Westport

Westport is situated at the mouth of the Buller River. The Kawatiri River Trail has a network of walking and mountain biking paths that follow the river and link to the township. The Harbour Loop track is a nice, short loop, or for an extension head out to Shingle Beach (tide permitting). Both start from the Yacht Club on Gladstone Street.

Millenium Track is just 1km, which goes from near the Buller Bridge along the riverbank and towards the township in the bush.

To find the ocean, follow Derby Street (which turns into Beach Drive) and that will land you on the wild west coast!

Our favourite places near Westport are Cape Foulwind and Tauranga Bay. Here you’ll find a seal colony, a lighthouse and panoramic views of the coastline. There is a carpark at the North End (Cape Foulwind) and at the Southern End (Tauranga Bay), with a well-maintained path between the two. The lighthouse is just 500 metres from the Cape Foulwind Carpark, and you can continue on to the seal colony (3km, close to 1 hour) and all the way to Tauranga Bay (another 500 metres from the seal colony). Alternatively, do the Lighthouse walk then jump in the car and from the carpark at Tauranga Bay it’s just 500 metres to the seal colony.


Punakaiki

There is a good reason to stop at Punakaiki on your way through… the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks have blow-holes that send water bursting through them at high tide! The small loop walk around the pancake rocks is a great stretch for the legs too!

Sea spray through the blow holes
Sea spray through the blow holes
Punakaiki Pancake Rocks

Greymouth

Greymouth is the largest town on the West Coast, and is the arrival point for people coming on the Trans Alpine Rail from Christchurch.

10km from Greymouth is Shantytown, an 1860’s goldrush village. For insight into life in the gold-mining days and to try your hand at gold panning, stop by.

35km from Greymouth is Lake Brunner – a beautiful lake for walking, paddle boarding, boating, trout fishing or reading on the shore. The Tranz Alpine Rail stops here (Moana), so extend your trip to the coast with a lake stop.

Hokitika

Hokitika is our favourite wee town on the coast – it has a gorgeous small town feel, with some eccentric stores, a few cafes and a fun beach. It’s a good place to stay the night along the West Coast.

Hokitika

The Hokitika Wild Foods Festival has become famous on the coast, and people travel from all over NZ to try huhu grubs, intestines (or the safer options of whitebait and vennison).

Keep an eye out for Hokitika Wild Foods Festival 2020! More info.

If you’re into art, be sure to pop into the Wilderness Gallery, the Hokitika Craft Gallery Co-operative and a local Jade Shop.

For a different perspective, check out the Tree Tops Walk in Hokitika. Walk among the tree canopy, and enjoy views of the mountains and neighbouring lake. Adult entry starts at $29 (10% discount online).

Tree Tops Walk, Hokitika

The Hokitika Gorge is one of our West Coast highlights (free)! It’s just over 30km from Hokitika to the Gorge Carpark and from here a 4-minute walk through native forest to the lookout. Carry on a bit further to the swing bridge for a better look at the turquoise water and granite-walls of the Gorge.

Walkway to Hokitika Gorge
Hokitika Gorge

Lake Ianthe is one of the most picturesque lakes on the West Coast, and is a 40-minute drive south of Hokitika (on SH6 heading towards Franz Josef Village). A great spot for a swim, fish or wander and spot the birds.

Lake Ianthe

Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers

Franz Josef Village and the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers are further South down the West Coast. To find out more about those locations and the surrounding highlights, take a look at our dedicated destination page for Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers.

West Coast: Eat & Drink

Greymouth

In Greymouth, there is the Lifeboat NZ which is really neat – it’s an old boat converted into a window shop with Dutch stroopwafels and coffee.

Maggie’s Kitchen is also a popular choice for breaky and lunch.

As for dinner, why not live the full kiwi experience, pop to Cobden Takeaways for fish & chips then go find a spot on the beach to enjoy!

Hokitika

The Hokitika Sandwich Company and Stella Cafe Hokitika are great options for meals or treats throughout the day.

Fat Pipis Pizza or Stumpers Bar and Cafe are both good dinner options.

Alternatively, stop by at the supermarket in Westport, Greymouth or Hokitika for van meals! Karamea and Punakaiki have smaller (typically slightly more expensive) convenience stores with the basics.

Cooking from the campervan on the West Coast

West Coast: Sleep

In the North

There’s a DOC campground at Kohaihai ($), which is perfect for Heaphy adventures, and not too far from Oparara (30-minute drive). Note: the last 3km section of road to this campground is gravel.

There’s also Last Resort ($$) which is where Mum and her friends would always treat themselves after walking the Heaphy. The restaurant, cafe and bar on site serve great food.

Rough and Tumble Bush Lodge ($$$) is situated at the Northern end of the Old Ghost Road. Set in beautiful forest and next to a river, this is a lovely experience whether doing the Old Ghost trail or not. Delicious food available too (you’re quite far from shops!).

Punakaiki

Te Nikau Retreat ($$) is 2km from the Pancake Rocks, and is your best option in Punakaiki. Surrounded by bush, close to the beach and with a range of cabins and rooms options.

Greymouth

The Greymouth Seaside Holiday Park ($$) is 2.5 km from Greymouth and has good facilities. Situated on the beach with bedding options from bunks to cottages.

Duke Hostel ($$) is located close to a supermarket, well-priced and with helpful staff.

Hokitika

Cloud 9 Lifestyle Park ($) is 6km north of Hokitika and is a great option for erecting a tent or parking the camper. There’s also a great DOC campground at Lake Mahinapua ($), 10km south of Hokitika.

Mountain Jade Backpackers ($) is situated in the heart of Hokitika and is a great option for backpackers – good hosts, clean and comfortable.

For your own place, Beach Haven ($$) is a small holiday home (for 2) situated right on the beach. It’s self-contained, and 3km from Hokitika.

Hampden Cottage ($$) is a well-furnished house that can accommodate up to 5. It’s a 15-minute walk to the centre of town, and the most common complaint is guests wishing they could have stayed longer!

For a Bed & Breakfast in a refurbished historic building, well located and with great hosts, Tiechelmann’s B&B ($$$) is Hokitika’s best.

Sunset on the West Coast – campervan life

Where to next?

Nearby in West Coast:

Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers

Nearby Regions:

Nelson/Marlborough Canterbury Otago

 

Remote coastlines with rugged rock formations

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