Simple pleasures. There is nothing quite like the great outdoors to set the scene and inspire the most memorable family adventures. We’ve found five adventures set on the West Coast to help inspire and plan your next family get-away. There’s something to suit a variety of ages, tastes for adventure, and holiday budgets. They’re closer than you think and you’ll also get to experience some of the West Coast’s most iconic locations. Choose from biking, kayaking, tramping, overnight camping, caving in the depths or watching the sunset over the water as you warm your toes around your personal beach bonfire.
Timber is something that the West Coast has in abundance. Tons of it ends up as driftwood on the beaches and, with 600km of uncrowded beaches, there’s plenty for everyone. Stay over — in a camp, cabin or family apartment — at Carter’s Beach Top 10 with the wide sandy beach on your doorstep. There’s a playground for the children, grass for picnics and readymade piles of silvery driftwood. Spend the day building castles in the sand, beachcombing and gathering driftwood for your bonfire then finish it off under the stars toasting some marshmallows in the embers.
Optional extras:
Enjoy the relaxing peaceful stay at the Carters Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park, which is situated on the beachfront at Carters Beach. Just 4 kms south of Westport Township.
Learn moreOnce a leading coal mining town, Denniston sits high on a steep incline railway once described as the eight wonder of the world. Spectacular scenery, incredible history, a West Coast must see.
Learn moreLoad up the bikes and head west for a free-wheeling family adventure on the West Coast’s growing cycle trail network. It’s all free plus you choose where you start, finish and level to suit your riders. For a family-friendly excursion, explore the new Kawatiri Coastal Trail — a 19.5km ride from Westport to Tauranga Bay, part of a scenic 55km easy (grade 2) ride that will eventually connect Westport and historic Charleston. Suspension bridges, boardwalks and a seal colony en route should help keep the kids pedaling. For older families the multi-day Wilderness Trail between Greymouth and Ross (grade 2 and 3) offers several longer, slightly more challenging options.
Optional extras:
● Take a trip up to the Denniston Incline
● Go off-road and back in time with Outwest Tours
● Eat at family-friendly Donaldo’s Beach Cafe
A short walk with spectacular ocean views, steeple rocks, and a large year-round fur seal colony.
Learn moreThe West Coast Wilderness Trail showcases some of the most outstanding scenery on the South Island’s West Coast with a diversity of landscapes second to none. Grab your bike and explore this Grade 2 Easy trail.
Learn moreOutwest Tours offers a wild West Coast experience, taking you off the beaten track on journeys into the wild heart of the land. Enjoy spectacular landscapes and travel historic mining trails, as you relax in one of their fully air-conditioned four-wheel-drive vehicles.
Learn moreOnce a leading coal mining town, Denniston sits high on a steep incline railway once described as the eight wonder of the world. Spectacular scenery, incredible history, a West Coast must see.
Learn moreLaunch out on a family kayaking expedition to learn some cool new water skills on the usually calm waters of beautiful Ōkārito Lagoon. The shallow, sheltered coastal wetland forest, with a spectacular alpine backdrop, is great for novice kayakers. Ōkārito Kayaks run guided tours and kayak freedom hire. The double and single kayaks are super stable, and owner/guides Baz and Gemma will carefully outfit and prepare your family with all the necessaries for a safe outdoors adventure. There’s an overnight (byo camping equipment) option for a wilderness sleepover where you may even hear kiwi calling at night.
Optional extras:
Ōkārito Trig Walk — an easy 4.2km / 1.5 hours return with fabulous mountain to sea views
Great coffee and counter food at Ōkārito Kitchen
Ōkārito Lagoon is New Zealand’s largest unmodified wetland and home to a some of the country’s rarest birdlife.
Learn moreStunning rental and fully guided kayak trips on the remote and tranquil Okarito Lagoon, with incredible views of the Southern Alps and Westland Tai Poutini National Park. Family friendly and suitable for all abilities.
Learn moreBook a VIP Backstage Pass Tour which includes a behind the scenes tour into the kiwi incubation and hatching facility and the Tuatara Encounter. Based in Franz Josef and the largest indoor visitor attraction on the West Coast. Photos permitted.
Learn moreHeritage tour exploring the highlights of Okarito village. Wharf shed history, then walk up Trig Track hearing NZ birds. Views on the beach of NZ's highest mountains (Aoraki Mt Cook & Tasman) as well as FJ Glacier & Okarito Lagoon & village.
Learn moreOkarito Kiwi Tours is the only tourism venture in the South Island that guides you, in low numbers, deep into kiwi habitat. 95% Sighting Success.
Learn moreUnderworld Rafting: Is a “Cave Rafting Adventure” in the Paparoa National Park. Located in Charleston.
Learn moreFor a thrilling day out, go underground into the fascinating Ananui caves, near Charleston (halfway between Punakaiki and Westport). Suitable for eight years and up and adventurous big kids, the guided journey starts with a full fit-out — wetsuit, life jacket, headlamp, tubes for flotation — and safety briefing at Underworld Adventures HQ. Then, it’s all aboard on the little Rainforest Train for a scenic ride along the Nile River before an 180-step climb up to the cave opening and into the darkness. As you make your way down through this vast unmodified network of caves, underground streams and waterfalls, you’ll see breathtaking formations (stalactites, stalagmites and more), and experience true darkness before floating out via twinkling glowworm caverns and a gentle whitewater tube back to your train.
Optional extras:
A selection of scenic walks in the Punakaiki area of the West Coast of New Zealand.
Learn moreTake a leisurely paddle on the Pororari River beneath towering limestone cliffs in the Paparoa National Park.
Learn moreIf you seek big country, new wilderness frontiers and untamed trails going guided with Paparoa Guided Walks is the adventure for you.
Learn moreStand up paddle boarding lessons, tours, and gear rental for individuals or groups of any abilities. Influencing interaction stepping away from observation.
Learn moreBlink and you could miss the historic little gold mining town of Ross (south of Hokitika on SH6) but stop off for a morning or afternoon, hire some gold pans and you might be in luck like the miner who found New Zealand’s biggest-ever gold nugget right here in 1909. While the miners have mostly gone now, you can learn about what it was like back in their day at the old miner’s cottage and little museum where you hire the gold pans— they’ll tell you where to go. Discover relics on the trails through the Ross Historic Goldfields area, and stay over in a variety of accommodation options at the Ross Beach Top 10.
Optional extras:
● Cycle the Wilderness Trail from Ross to Hokitika
There’s something for everyone on a trip to the West Coast.
Learn moreWest Coast's wild and spectacular mountain to sea landscape.
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