Grey District
DISCOVER THE TRUE COLOURS OF THE GREY DISTRICT
Green, gold, black and brown! The true colours of Greymouth and the Grey District are all about the rich natural resources that first drew adventurers to the West Coast. They came seeking pounamu, gold, coal and timber. Turns out it was thirsty work that also gave rise to some crafty brews.
Sunset over the memorial Clock Tower on Mawhera Quay, on the Greymouth waterfront.
Getting to Greymouth
The TransAlpine train runs daily between Christchurch and Greymouth.
Plan your visit using the Greymouth website and 100% Pure New Zealand's travel and distance calculator.
Ask the experts:
Mawhera Greymouth isite Visitor Centre
Address: 164 Mackay Street, Greymouth (inside the railway station)
Open: Mon to Fri, 9am - 5pm; Sat, Sun & public holidays, 10am to 4pm
Contact: +64 (0)3 768 7080 / info@westcoasttravel.co.nz
Grey District
Greymouth and the surrounding Grey District are packed with rugged natural beauty, historical sites, tales of old, adventure activities and attractions.
Greymouth — originally the site of the Māori settlement of Mawhera, now the region’s largest town — is an iconic coastal port at the mouth of the Grey River.
Māori used the Grey River for transport, and the earliest arrivals came in search of pounamu (greenstone), then gold, later coal and timber. Greymouth is a busy fishing port, and the arrival point for the TranzAlpine scenic train from Christchurch.
View over Greymouth
Greymouth — the West Coast’s largest town — is the arrival / departure point of the TranzAlpine scenic rail journey.
EXPLORING GREYMOUTH
Mawhera Quay — on the edge of the Grey River — is a good place to start exploring Greymouth. The iconic Greymouth Clock Tower sits near a memorial to local coal miners lost in mining accidents. It’s also the start of the West Coast Wilderness Trail cycle journey.
Around the town there are art galleries with pounamu (New Zealand jade), contemporary New Zealand art and fine art photography. The Greymouth Sunday Market has local jewellery, woodwork, and other artisanal goodies.
Learn about local history at the small History House Pop-Up Museum which has exhibits telling stories of the Grey District and its people. And, for a real taste of local, visit the legendary Monteith's brewery or another hospitable brew bar in town.
Blackball
The hotel now known as Formerly The Blackball Hilton.
GREY DISTRICT ATTRACTIONS
Take your pick from scenic walking and cycling trails, off-road adrenaline adventures, and mining history.
Tracks and trails
The Grey District is home to many beautiful walks and mountain biking tracks.
One of New Zealand’s great rides, the multi-day West Coast Wilderness Trail starts right in Greymouth, follows the coast down to the Taramakau River, then inland to Kumara, via Lake Kaniere to Hokitika, finishing at the historic gold town of Ross.
There are multiple access points en route for great short (or longer) rides and walks on well-formed tracks. The Greymouth to Kumara leg is rated Grade 2 (suitable for most abilities) and takes around 2-4 hours to cover.
Go completely off-road on a thrilling quad bike or buggy tour. Choose between self-drive navigating through waterfalls, forests, and mud tracks, or jump in an ex-military Hagglund for some serious riding through assault courses and steep mud banks.
Pounamu Pathway Māwhera/Greymouth
History lessons
The West Coast’s pioneering history comes to life at Shantytown Heritage Park – an immersive history lesson in a replica gold rush town. There are restored 1860s shops, homes, a school, a steam train to ride plus a sluice line where visitors can roll up their sleeves for a fun gold-panning session.
A visit to the West Coast wouldn't be complete without experiencing the Pounamu Pathway in Māwhera/Greymouth. This engaging experience showcases the region's rich Māori culture, history, and West Coast heritage through digital and immersive technology that is fun, surprising, creative, and utterly unique to the West Coast/Te Tai o Poutini.
The Brunner Mine Walk is a peaceful but sobering experience: an easy, 2 km loop amongst the relics of the West Coast’s worst mining disaster where 65 miners died in an explosion in 1896. Cross the suspension bridge to find the remains of old brick ovens, mine entrances and interpretive displays.
The small town of Blackball, at the foot of the Paparoa Ranges, is proud to be the birthplace of the New Zealand Labour Party. Back in 1908 miners went on strike for three months to win a 30-minute lunch break and won. It’s also home of the quirky ‘Formerly the Blackball Hilton Hotel’, named after an infamous dispute with a certain international hotel chain.
SEE, DO & STAY
Speights Ale House Greymouth
Come and see us, we’re pouring great ales and serving good wholesome food every day from 11.30am.
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The Regent Theatre Greymouth
The Regent Theatre is your entertainment centre of the West Coast!
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$95 - $250
Greymouth Motel
We are located just 600 meters from the beach, so you can enjoy our stunning sunsets over the ocean.
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Dragonfly Gap Cafe Greymouth
Homemade pies daily, delicious range of cabinet food, all day breakfast menu, quiches and salads, muffins and scones hot out of our oven daily, coffee and smoothies.
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300
Copthorne Hotel Greymouth
Ideally located in the centre of the town, Copthorne Hotel Greymouth provides easy access to the West Coast's scenic attractions. The hotel, has ideal accommodation and facilities for holiday makers & team building events.
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324
Greymouth Seaside Top 10 Holiday Park
Located right on the beachfront in peaceful Greymouth. We have a wide range of modern accommodation from Two and Three Bedroom Seaview Apartments, Motels, Cabins, and sites, to suit individuals, couples, families and larger groups.
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