This touring route will take you through the entire West Coast of New Zealand, stopping by some of our famous iconic spots.






Day 1: TranzAlpine to Greymouth, then drive to Punakaiki
3 hours 59 mins, 288 km
Take the world famous TranzAlpine train from Christchurch to Greymouth. Book your hire car, spend some time enjoying the shops, scenery, coffee and food of Māwhera - the Greymouth District.
Make your way to Lake Brunner that is famous for brown trout that die of old age, great food and accommodation. You could stay up to two days here, book your accommodation in advance
Explore the 30 million year old Pancake Rocks & Blowholes. Walk the Truman Track. Grab a bite at Punakaiki Tavern before calling it a night.

Pancake Rocks and Blowholes
The pancake rocks in Punakaiki are the most visited natural attraction on the West Coast with good reason, they really do look like pancakes!
Learn morePunakaiki Walks
A selection of scenic walks in the Punakaiki area of the West Coast of New Zealand.
Learn morePunakaiki Canoes
Take a leisurely paddle on the Pororari River beneath towering limestone cliffs in the Paparoa National Park.
Learn moreUnderworld Adventures
Underworld Rafting: Is a “Cave Rafting Adventure” in the Paparoa National Park. Located in Charleston.
Learn moreAdventure Caving
An adventure truly not for the faint hearted. As the name states, Adventure Caving is full on expedition style caving.
Learn moreDay 2: Punakaiki to Karamea
2 hours 18 mins, 152 km
Continue north to Charleston and try cave rafting with Underworld Adventures.
Explore the art deco town of Westport and its estuary.
Make the journey along the winding coastline into Karamea.
Explore the 40 million year-old limestone arches with a guided eco tour in the Oparara Basin.
Jet along the Karamea River in a boat or explore Scott's Beach.

Oparara Arches
Tucked away in a corner of Kahurangi National Park, the Oparara has a magic all of its own, born of millions years of undisturbed isolation.
Learn moreUltimate Descents New Zealand
Good spirited kiwis, giving the opportunity for travelers to explore our wild and scenic rivers.
Learn moreWhanake Gallery & Espresso Bar
Come to Westport and browse this unique Gallery with a coffee in your hand. We pride ourselves on our coffee and specialize in photography, we offer a variety of local imagery on a range of media…
Learn moreThe Old Ghost Road
The 85km-long Old Ghost Road traverses majestic native forest, open tussock tops, river flats and forgotten valleys, providing days of adventure and spectacular huts for mountain bikers and trampers.
Learn moreTauranga Bay Fur Seal Colony
A short walk with spectacular ocean views, steeple rocks, and a large year-round fur seal colony.
Learn moreThe Heaphy Track
One of New Zealand’s nine great walks, the Heaphy Track, finishes (or starts, depending on which way you’re heading) at Karamea.
Learn moreChasm Creek Track
Chasm Creek Track is a short walk along an old section of railway, a sculptured creek, and views of the Mokihinui River. 45 mins return via the same track.
Learn moreHabitat Sports and Cycles
Track Shuttle services, Bikes & Hire, Fishing & Hunting, Camping & Hiking, Food & Nutrition plus more!
Learn moreDay 3: Karamea to Reefton
2 hours 30 mins, 175 km
Take the inland route this time and turn off at Westport to head towards Reefton through the Buller Gorge (SH6, then SH69).
Get to know the local Bearded Miners and learn the gold mining history of Reefton.

Go Tracks
Go Tracks is a Mountain Bike shuttle service for West Coast New Zealand tracks based in Reefton. We offer shuttle services for The Old Ghost Road and The Paparoa Track.
Learn moreReefton
Reefton, on the Lewis Pass road and near Victoria Conservation Park (NZ's largest), is well worth a stop and its claim to fame is an illuminating one – in 1888 it was the first town in the Southern Hemisphere to have electric streetlights!
Learn moreWest Coast Mountain Biking - Reefton Gold
The old gold miners, timber millers and horse packers of the West Coast knew how to build a track and make it last. Nowadays, many of these historic tracks can still be ridden, but with a more sophisticated ride - a mountain bike.
Learn moreReefton Golf Club
Reefton Golf Course (Glenburnie) is a 12 hole voluntary run course with 6 different tee boxes for holes 13 - 18.
Learn moreDay 4: Reefton to Hokitika
1 hour 29 mins, 116 km
Continue South to the Cool Little Town of Hokitika. Stroll along the promenade and get a snap with the famous Hokitika beach sign.
Take in the turquoise waters of Hokitika Gorge.
Grab dinner, then head to the free glow Worm Dell.

Ross Walks
Enjoy two guided walks around the town, bush, lake and historic gold ruins of Ross.
Learn moreHokitika 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 moreHokitika Historic Walking Tours
Take a historic walking tour in the home of The Luminaries with experienced guides.
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 Gold Room
As found West Coast gold nuggets and flakes crafted into stunning jewellery.
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 moreHokitika Glass Studio
Hokitika Glass Studio: Glass Blowing & Designer Art Forms: Glassblowing at its best. Beautiful handcrafted glassware.
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 moreDay 5: Hokitika to Fox Glacier
2 hours 10 mins, 157 km
Head south towards Glacier Country.
Stop in Whataroa to explore the White Heron Sanctuary Tour.
Take a scenic flight over Franz Josef Glacier.

The 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 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 moreMoraine Walk
Moraines are the debris of rocks and stones left when a glacier retreats. Explore old moraine surfaces on this easy, short walk, south of Fox Glacier township.
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 moreGlacier Shuttles and Charters Franz Josef
A Return shuttle service from your accommodation to the glacier carpark and back on a set timetable. Set fee.
Also available for private charters POA.
Lake 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 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 moreGlacier Country Helicopters Ltd.
Glacier Country Helicopters is a local, family owned and operated company in Franz Josef offering scenic glacier flights and much more in our incredible backyard.
Learn moreFranz Josef Wilderness Tours
Franz Josef Wilderness Tours is a locally owned and operated family business in Franz Josef. Kayak, Cruise or Fish with us on Lake Mapourika
Learn moreGlacier Valley Eco Tours
Glacier Valley Eco Tours is a family owned business committed to giving our clients the best experience on our guided nature walks in Glacier Country.
Learn moreDay 6: Fox Glacier to Haast
1 hour 32 mins, 121 km
Experience the thrill of skydiving with Skydive Fox.
Take an adventure and do a Heli-Hike on Fox Glacier.
Venture south towards Haast, stop in at the Salmon Farm near Lake Paringa for a bit and to feed the salmon.
Jet in to the UNESCO World Heritage area across its waters with Waiatoto River Safari.
Fly above Mt Aspiring National Park with Haast Heliservices to the Hanging Lakes.
Stay the night, continue in the morning through to Wanaka.

Haast Walks
The best way to experience the West Coasts untamed natural wilderness is to simply get out there among it.
Learn moreGreenstone 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 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 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 moreSantana Knitwear, Honey & Gifts
Situated in Haast Township this is the place to visit for a huge range of possum merino products.
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 more