Must Do Outdoor Adventures

The northernmost reaches of the West Coast are a mecca for overnight hiking and biking wilderness adventures.

One of NZ’s best Great Walks is the Heaphy Track and a popular starting point is from Kohaihai. The track takes most people 4-5 days to complete, but there are options for shorter overnight trips or day walks. Mountain bikes are allowed in winter (May – September).

For experienced mountain bikers, The Old Ghost Road is a purpose built 85km track which traverses through spectacular forest, river and high alpine landscapes. Huts are well equipped for bikers to stay overnight.

Another interesting location for mountain biking is the Denniston Plateau which offers magnificent coastal views and an insight into the heritage of coal mining in the region. The historic 1,670m Denniston Incline is an impressive sight and feet of engineering.

Westport or Punakaiki (home of the famous Pancake Rocks) make a great base for exploring Paparoa National Park.

The Paparoa Track is New Zealand’s 10th Great Walk. It travels through the spectacular limestone landscapes and lush coastal forests and is custom-built for both mountain biking and hiking.

In summer, kayaking or paddle boarding on the Pororari river is a great way to keep cool, or to really escape the heat of the midday sun, try a cave rafting with Underworld Adventures

If you need a break from biking and hiking, but still want to explore the pristine rainforests, then check out a quad bike tour with On Yer Bike near Greymouth.

Stopping for a beer or a tour at the famous Monteith’s Brewery in Greymouth is almost a compulsory part of any West Coast roadie!

If the weather forecast is for rain, then a great indoor activity for the day is Barrytown Knifemaking where you can forge your own steel blade and attach a native timber handle.

The drive south from Glacier Country to Haast has to be one of the world’s most epic road trips, passing through two National Parks – Westland Tai Poutini and Mount Aspiring – which together form part of a UNESCO World Heritage Area.

There are dozens of great viewpoints and short walks along this section of State Highway 6. Don’t miss the coastal walks at Ship Creek near Haast and the chance to see the resident pod of rare Hector’s dolphins, and the Haast Highway offers a variety of short walks and roadside campsites in epic wilderness locations.

Haast itself is a great place to stop and refuel or to stay for the night and explore the UNESCO World Heritage Area on foot, by jetboat or scenic flight.

For more intrepid explorers, the Copland Track (just south of Fox Glacier) is a stunning multiday walk with gorgeous natural hot pools at Welcome Flat Hut. The steep hike up to Brewster Hut on the Haast Pass Highway rewards tampers with stunning views of Mount Aspiring National Park. (Bookings required for both huts).

Beyond Haast, and at the Southernmost end of the West Coast region, Jackson Bay is a great place for fish and chips at the famous Craypot. A good walk to work off a big lunch is the Smoothwater Bay Track.