West Coast Region - Places To Go

Waiau Glacier Coast Marine Reserve

Fed by two lagoons and the Waiho River, the Waiau Glacier Coast Marine Reserve forms a protective buffer for these waterways and wetlands. Read the story . . .

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Natural attractions

Te Ara a Waiau Walkway/Cycleway

Walk or cycle through bush from Franz Josef township to the Franz Josef Glacier car park. Read the story . . .

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Natural attractions

Lake Matheson: the perfect mirror

If you find yourself on the West Coast in a reflective mood, you’ll also find you’re in good company. Read the story . . .

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Things to do

Punakāiki Pancake Rocks: geological marvel

Funny that Māori should have had a word that sounded so much like the English word for ‘pancakes’. Read the story . . .

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Things to do

Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers

Many of the crinklier bits of New Zealand’s geography were formed by the slow but insistent action of glaciers. Read the story . . .

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Things to do

Punakāiki Marine Reserve

Punakāiki Marine Reserve surrounds the pancake rocks and blowholes at Dolomite Point, one of the most distinctive landscapes of the West Coast. Read the story . . .

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Road trips

Buller Gorge: a thrilling adventure

If you’re driving from Nelson to Westport, you’ll first pick up the Buller just past Glenhope, about 30km as the kererū flies from where the mighty river arises from Lake Rotoiti. Read the story . . .

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Natural attractions

The Heaphy Track: in the footsteps of explorers

The Heaphy Track travels through expansive tussock downs, lush forests and nīkau palms to the roaring seas of the West Coast of the South Island. Read the story . . .

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Natural attractions

Paparoa National Park: there she blows

Luxuriant coastal forest, limestone cliffs and canyons, caves and underground streams, not to mention an absolutely spectacular coastline... Read the story . . .

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Activities

Buller: the river without memories

From the northern reaches Lewis Pass to the rugged tablelands of Paparoa National Park, and the wide sweep of coastline, Buller has a beautiful and surprisingly varied landscape. Read the story . . .

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Activities

Buller Gorge: swing into action in the deep, meandering canyon

Visit the deep, meandering canyon where you can zipline, raft whitewater rapids, jump on a jet boat or experience our longest swingbridge spanning the mighty Buller River. Read the story . . .

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Road trips

Central West Coast: the best coastal drive in New Zealand

In this part of the world, civilisation has only chiselled a few narrow paths into the landscape. The elements – the wind, the rain and the ocean – are always trying to claim that land back. Read the story . . .

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Natural attractions

Loved by the locals: Buller

Do what the locals do in Buller. Read the story . . .

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Activities

TranzAlpine: one of the best rail journeys in the world

Feast on one breath-taking view after another as you travel from Christchurch to Greymouth. Read the story . . .

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Road trips

The Great Alpine Highway: Christchurch to Greymouth

This is probably the most staggering piece of road you'll ever come across. So keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes off the pies. Just stop often. Seriously: this is stunning. Read the story . . .

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Things to do

Te Weheka Walkway/Cycleway

Walk or cycle through bush from Fox Glacier township to the Fox Glacier car park on this shared-use track. Read the story . . .

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