Grey District: Lake Brunner, coastal walks and culture

Experiences in Grey District range from birdlife and wetlands at Lake Brunner to waterfront walks, crafts and history in Greymouth. When planning your trip, you can choose different focuses: waterside scenery, views along the way or cultural attractions in town. Which accommodation is right for your plans depends on the destinations you want to focus on.

Lake Brunner: nature, trails and water

Lake Brunner and Moana are home to diverse birdlife, wetlands and rainforest ecosystems. The Lake Brunner Scenic Trail runs along the north-western shore and is open to walkers and cyclists. From the boat ramp in Moana, you can head out onto the lake by motorboat, yacht or charter cruise. This gives you different ways to experience Lake Brunner: a walk along the shore or a trip on the water. Check local conditions before setting out.

A forest track from Iveagh Bay leads to three viewpoints overlooking Lake Brunner, Moana and the surrounding area. It then climbs to the open tussock highlands of Mt. Te Kinga, at 1,196 metres above sea level. From there, panoramic views stretch across the Paparoa Range, the Tasman Sea and the Main Divide. The viewpoints and high country offer a different experience from a stay by the lake; check current track conditions before setting out.

Greymouth and the coastal trails

You can walk along Greymouth Flood Wall on Mawhera Quay. Along the way, you’ll see the river and commercial area, the fishing port and the tidal estuary. The walk combines a stroll with glimpses of the different areas along the water. Greymouth is also the starting point of the West Coast Wilderness Trail, which runs 132 kilometres to Ross and is graded easy.

Another coastal experience is the Point Elizabeth Walkway: this sealed coastal and bush track leads to a clifftop viewing platform. It is considered suitable for families and children. Check the weather and track conditions before setting out. The information for the waterside walk and the trail to Ross differs: the Point Elizabeth Walkway is described as a sealed track with clifftop views; the West Coast Wilderness Trail as a 132-kilometre, easy-grade route from Greymouth to Ross.

Crafts and stories in Greymouth

Greymouth Sunday Market offers locally made jewellery, woodwork and other handcrafted products. Check the latest dates before your trip. Exhibitions at the History House Pop-Up Museum in Greymouth tell stories about Grey District and its people. Check the latest visitor information for the History House Pop-Up Museum before your visit.

Shantytown Heritage Park also brings together several experiences in one place. It is in Paroa, 10 kilometres south of Greymouth. Admission includes a ride on one of the three historic passenger trains. Visitors are guided by experienced gold miners when trying their hand at gold panning. As admission inclusions can change, it’s worth confirming the latest details before your visit.

Choose the right focus

If you’re mainly interested in the lake and nature, Lake Brunner and Moana offer good starting points for your plans. If you’re looking for a stay that includes a waterfront walk, market or museum, Greymouth’s offerings may be more central.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Moana, Runanga, Rapahoe and Atarau. You can also explore Westland District, Buller District and Greymouth.

For the overview of the wider region: West Coast.