West Coast: Rainforest, Karst and Coastal Wilderness

The West Coast’s landscapes range from alpine peaks and limestone karst to lush rainforest and wetlands. There are also cycling routes, multi-day hikes, traces of the mining industry and an annual festival. If you’re looking for accommodation, it helps to first choose the experiences you want to define your trip.

Landscapes of rainforest, karst and water

The Paparoa Track passes over alpine peaks, through limestone karst landscapes and lush rainforests. It is a multi-day hiking route through remote alpine and coastal wilderness, and one of New Zealand’s ten Great Walks. It’s a good choice for travellers who want a longer hike to be a defining part of their stay.

The West Coast is the western gateway to the Te Wāhipounamu South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. In West Coast Glacier Country, glaciers descend into temperate rainforest; according to the regional description, the West Coast is one of only two places in the world where these meet.

Ōkārito Lagoon is a significant, unmodified wetland. More than 76 native bird species visit the lagoon. The Lake Matheson Walk also brings together scenery and nature: it passes through lush rainforest to the lake, which is known for its reflections of New Zealand’s highest mountains. The Lake Matheson Circuit is a 4.4 km loop.

Another loop leads to the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes and their limestone formations, which are about 30 million years old. The blowholes are especially impressive at high tide. The two loops differ considerably in the time they take: allow about 20 minutes for the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes, and around one hour and 30 minutes for the Lake Matheson Circuit. This lets you factor different walking times into your day’s plans.

Hiking, cycling and glacier experiences

The West Coast Wilderness Trail runs between Greymouth and Ross and is divided into four sections of about 30 km each. It’s suitable even for people with little or no cycling experience. The sections provide a practical framework for planning a cycling trip, with the full route divided into stages. The Great Coast Road runs along the West Coast between Westport and Greymouth and offers another geographical reference point.

For heli-hikes on the Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier, operators take visitors to the glaciers by helicopter. Hiking, cycling and glacier experiences offer different focuses to weigh up as you plan your trip.

Mining history and regional specialities

The preserved machinery remains at Denniston tell the story of the area’s historic mining industry. The Brunner Industrial Site is considered an outstanding example of the West Coast’s coal-mining heritage. Both add a historical perspective to a trip that also takes in scenery and outdoor activities.

The Wildfoods Festival is held annually in Hokitika. Visitors can sample a wide selection of native natural products and unusual specialities. If you’d like to include the festival in your trip, check the specific event dates in advance.

For a family trip, you can weigh up the different options: nature, outdoor activities, mining history and food appeal to different interests. If you’re planning to cycle, the Wilderness Trail offers a route suitable even for people with little or no cycling experience. For the walks, details about loop distances and walking times can help with planning, while the multi-day Paparoa Track requires a different itinerary.

Choosing the right accommodation area

When looking for a hotel on the West Coast, it makes sense to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: will your trip centre on hiking, cycling stages, scenery, history or a festival visit? This way, you can choose a base around your itinerary without letting any one activity define the whole region.

Explore more destinations: Greymouth, Buller District, Westland District, Grey District, Karamea, Reefton, Kumara, Seddonville, Denniston, Karangarua.

Go to the main travel overview: New Zealand.