A breathtaking road trip from Queenstown to Christchurch via the West Coast, have your camera ready!




Day 1: Queenstown to Haast
2 hours 57 mins, 206 km
Drive from Queenstown to Haast via State Highway 6. This is a great scenic drive and enjoy the UNESCO World Heritage Area. Haast is West Coast Whitebait country, we recommend staying here for the night!
From Haast to Jackson Bay there are empty shingle beaches, dunes, lakes and wetlands, all with the soaring backdrop of the Southern Alps.
Tramping, hunting and if you want speed, jet boating tours with Waiatoto River Safari or Haast River Safari on the local rivers are available. There is an abundance of wildlife and tours to view fur seals, Hectors Dolphins and Fiordland Crested Penguins.

Greenstone Helicopters
South Westland's wild and undisturbed landscape is deemed to have natural and cultural features of such world significance, it is now protected in the 2.6 million hectare, South Westland World Heritage Area.
Learn moreHaast Walks
The best way to experience the West Coasts untamed natural wilderness is to simply get out there among it.
Learn moreHaast River Safari
We offer visitors a rare opportunity to experience the untouched natural beauty of Te Wāhipounamu - World Heritage Area, while traveling in one of our custom designed fully enclosed jet boats.
Learn moreShip Creek walk and Monro Beach
Ship Creek Walk is one of the best examples of swamp forest that you will come across and well worth stopping for on your journey along the West Coast.
Learn moreThe Salmon Farm Cafe
Salmon Farm licensed café specializing in fresh and smoked salmon products.
Learn moreJackson Bay
Jackson Bay is a working fishing port and a popular fishing spot in summer, it's a great place to catch crayfish and just meander.
Learn moreDay 2: Haast to Fox Glacier
1 hour 32 mins, 121 km
Fox Glacier village has a relaxed, quaint village feel. Home to the Fox Glacier, it offers a range of adventure activities as well as access to some of the West Coast's most scenic spots.
The ‘must do’ walk is Lake Matheson. This is the most photographed lake in New Zealand with good reason. Carry on down the road to Gillespies Beach.
Bruce Bay - or Mahitahi - is a small coastal settlement with stunning sea vistas and a wonderfully wild windswept beach, 40km south of Fox Glacier and 80 km from Haast.

West Coast Cycling - Glacier Country
Walk or cycle through bush from Franz Josef township to the Franz Josef Glacier car park.
Learn moreOkarito Kayaks
Stunning 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 moreWestland Tai Poutini National Park Visitor Centre (Franz Josef)
The local Franz Josef Glacier i-Site is a great place to get inspired about everything on offer in Glacier Country.
Learn moreWhite Heron Sanctuary Tours
New Zealand's Only Kotuku, White Heron Nesting Site, Whataroa is the departure point for White Heron Sanctuary Tours.
Learn moreAndris Apse Gallery
This serene and professional gallery showcases the exquisitely dramatic Landscape Photography and books by Andris Apse.
Learn moreLake Matheson
The unsurpassed views and mountain reflections from the forested shores of Lake Matheson make this easy walk one of the most popular on the West Coast.
Learn moreMatheson Cafe & Reflectionz Gifts & Gallery
Lake Matheson, famous for its picture perfect reflections of Mount Cook & superb views of Fox Glacier. Visit our award winning café & unique gift gallery adjacent to the walkway. Don't miss this incredible location.
Learn moreThe Helicopter Line Franz Josef Glacier
The Helicopter Line can offer you spectacular close-up views on a scenic flight to explore and discover the dramatic expanse of the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers and snowfields.
Learn moreGlacier Country Scenic Flights
The best way to experience the New Zealand glaciers is on a scenic helicopter flight with Glacier Country Scenic flights.
Learn moreHeliServices.NZ Franz Josef
Scenic helicopter flights and snow landings above Fox and Franz Josef glaciers.
Learn moreLord of the Rings location
Lighting of the beacons that run along The White Mountains (Ered Nimrais) from Gondor to Rohan was filmed at Mount Gunn, near Franz Josef, West Coast.
Learn moreThe Helicopter Line Franz Josef Glacier
The Helicopter Line can offer you spectacular close-up views on a scenic flight to explore and discover the dramatic expanse of the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers and snowfields.
Learn moreThe Helicopter Line Fox Glacier
The Helicopter Line can offer you spectacular close-up views on a scenic flight to explore and discover the dramatic expanse of the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers and snowfields.
Learn moreOkarito lagoon and beach
Okarito Lagoon is New Zealand's largest unmodified wetland. A coastal lagoon, it is 130 kms south of Hokitika, covering an area of about 12km.
Learn moreDay 3: Fox Glacier to Kumara
2 hours 29 mins, 185 km
Ōkārito and Whataroa are a 'must-explore' for nature and wildlife lovers. Okarito is definitely worth a stop – NZ’s largest unmodified wetland –and a bird watchers paradise! Hire a kayak or grab a boat tour.
Down the road you will come to Ross, famous for being the spot where New Zealand’s largest ever gold nugget was unearthed - the “Roddy Nugget”, weighing a massive 3.1kg.
Hire a gold pan to try your hand at the Ross Goldfields Information Centre. Then take a drive to West Coast Treetop Walk & Cafe. An exhilarating tree top adventure among temperate rainforest giants waits for you.
Hokitika was once a Goldfields Capital and Port. Visit the Museum, view artisans working gold, pounamu, precious stones, wood, metals and glass.

Hokitika Scenic Tours
Hokitika Scenic Tours offer specialised informative, sightseeing day and multi day tours and transport to any destination you wish to visit on the West Coast.
Learn moreWest Coast Cycling - Jade Country
Walk or mountain bike along the western shores of Lake Kaniere through lush lakeside forest, passing many picturesque bays and numerous forest streams.
Learn moreHokitika region walks
The Hokitika, Kumara and Ross area is packed with stunning walks that range from easy to moderate. Take in the Southern alps as you explore by foot.
Learn moreWest Coast Cycle and Tours
For bike hire, trail info, tour planning, shuttles and luggage transfers. Located in Hokitika.
Learn moreThe Gold Room
As found West Coast gold nuggets and flakes crafted into stunning jewellery.
Learn moreHokitika Glass Studio
Hokitika Glass Studio: Glass Blowing & Designer Art Forms: Glassblowing at its best. Beautiful handcrafted glassware.
Learn moreRoss Goldfields Information & Heritage Centre
Discover Gold Rush Relics and Pan for Gold!
Learn moreWest Coast Wilderness Trail
The 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 moreHokitika Museum
The Hokitika Museum is a regional museum located in the heart of Te Tai Poutini - West Coast. What began in 1869, in the new Town Hall, as the “Museum Room” grew into the West Coast’s largest museum and archive.
Learn moreWilderness Gallery
A contemporary, fresh and inspiring Gallery right in the heart of Hokitika
Learn moreLake Kaniere
Lake Kaniere is one of the most beautiful lakes in New Zealand and offers opportunity for a number of water sports. There are also several picnic places, a camping area, and numerous short walks.
Learn moreThe Gorge Gallery
We welcome the public to come and visit us down Zuckermans Road when our Woodwork Gallery Open flag is out on the road to the Hokitika Gorge.
Learn moreHokitika Gorge
The Hokitika Gorge is 33kms from Hokitika. The vivid turquoise water surrounded by lush native bush is well worth a visit.
Learn moreWestland Greenstone
Westland Greenstone specialises in the design and manufacture of quality New Zealand jade jewellery, sculptures and ornaments.
Learn moreWest Coast Treetop Walk and Cafe
An exhilarating tree top adventure among temperate rainforest giants.
Learn moreDay 4: Kumara to Christchurch
3 hours 0 mins, 219 km
Continue through to Canterbury and drive through Arthur’s Pass.
Arthur’s Pass National Park is in the heart of the Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana. It's high mountains with large scree slopes, steep gorges and wide braided rivers straddle the main divide, and are the ‘back bone’ of the South Island. A spectacular journey!

Moana Trout Fishing Safari
Guided fishing tours lakes, rivers and streams. Try your luck at sight casting to wild browns.
Learn moreLake Brunner, Moana
Lake Brunner is the largest lake in the region with year-round trout fishing.
Learn moreLake Brunner
Moana is a town that sits on the edge of Lake Brunner near Greymouth, West Coast.
Learn more