West Coast

The wild West Coast (Westland) of the South Island is one of the most spectacular regions of New Zealand. Amazing mountinous and coastal scenery. Infamous for being very wet but does get as much sunshine as much drier Christchurch. The sea is wild and wonderful to watch with great sunsets but generally this is a dangerous region for swimming in the sea. Flightless wekas are common here especially around Punakiki.

Things to do

from north to south...
View the seal colony at Tauranga Bay
See the pancake rocks and blowholes (high tide) at beautiful Punakiki
Tour the Monteiths brewery in Greymouth
Catch the TransAlpine train to Christchurch
Wonder around Shantytown, re-creation of gold rush days
Buy some greenstone jewelery in Hokitika
Swim in Lake Mahinapua
Hike on a glacier, either Fox or Frans Josef
Walk around Lake Matheson, the mirror lake, near Fox Glacier
Kayak around Lake Paringa

Multi-day walks

Heaphy Track
Inland Pack Track, near Punakiki

Tips

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