A West Coast road trip: Queenstown to Christchurch
Get your camera ready for this breathtaking road trip from Queenstown to Christchurch via the West Coast.
Day 1: Queenstown to Haast
2 hrs 57 min, 206 km
The drive from Queenstown to Haast follows State Highway 6, a scenic drive through forest-clad mountains and past several impressive waterfalls, just a short walk from the laybys en route.
Arrive in Haast, gateway to Te Wāhipounamu – 2.6 million hectares of wilderness internationally recognised by UNESCO for its unique natural beauty. Stay the night, taste fresh whitebait or crayfish at The Craypot in Jackson Bay or explore by jet boat with Waiatoto River Safari or Haast River Safari. The wildlife is abundant here, spot fur seals, Hector's dolphins and Fiordland crested penguins.
Get a bird's-eye view of the Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Area with a scenic helicopter flight.
Local Attractions
$225 - $1195 per person
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.
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Haast Walks
The best way to experience the West Coasts untamed natural wilderness is to simply get out there among it.
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Adults $109 Children (15 yrs & under) $59
Haast 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.
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Ship 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.
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South Westland Salmon Farm and Café
Salmon Farm licensed café specializing in fresh and smoked salmon products.
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Jackson 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.
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Day 2: Haast to Fox Glacier
1 hr 32 min, 121 km
Tucked into the forested foothills of the Southern Alps, Fox Glacier township has a relaxed village feel. To see the giant glacier it’s named after, you can visit the Te Kopikopiko o te Waka viewpoint or get even closer on a guided heli-hike or scenic flight.
The short walk around Lake Matheson will quickly reveal why it’s the most photographed lake in New Zealand. The still waters perfectly reflect the snowy peaks of Aoraki Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain. Carry on down the road to Gillespies Beach for rugged ocean views, gold mining history and scenic walking tracks.
Another wonderfully wild windswept beach can be found at Bruce Bay – or Mahitahi – a small coastal settlement with stunning sea vistas 40 km south of Fox Glacier.
Local Attractions
West Coast Cycling - Glacier Country
Walk or cycle through bush from Franz Josef township to the Franz Josef Glacier car park.
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$60 - $130
Okarito 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.
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Westland Tai Poutini National Park Visitor Centre (Franz Josef)
The Visitor Centre provides high quality visitor information and is your gateway to exploring Westland Tai Poutini National Park and beyond.
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Adult: $NZ 150 / Child up to 12 years: $NZ 75
White Heron Sanctuary Tours
New Zealand's Only Kotuku, White Heron Nesting Site, Whataroa is the departure point for White Heron Sanctuary Tours.
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Free Entry
Andris Apse Gallery
This serene and professional gallery showcases the exquisitely dramatic Landscape Photography and books by Andris Apse.
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Free
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.
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Matheson Cafe
Open 7 days from 8.30 am, Lake Matheson Cafe is just a few minutes drive from Fox Glacier at the entrance to the Lake Matheson Walkway. With comfortable seating options and deck area, we have unsurpassed views of Mt Cook and Mt Tasman.
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The 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.
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Glacier Country Scenic Flights
The best way to experience the New Zealand glaciers is on a scenic helicopter flight with Glacier Country Scenic flights.
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HeliServices.NZ Franz Josef
Scenic helicopter flights and snow landings above Fox and Franz Josef glaciers.
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Lord 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.
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The 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.
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$240 - $450
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.
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Okarito 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 Hokitika
2 hrs 5 min, 158 km
Home to rare wildlife, Ōkārito and Whataroa should be on any nature lover’s list. New Zealand’s largest unmodified wetland and bird watchers' paradise, Ōkārito is best explored by water. Hire a kayak or glide through the water on an eco-friendly boat tour.
History comes to life in Ross, where you can pan for gold at the Ross Goldfields Information Centre, or riverside at Jones Creek. It was here that the country’s largest ever nugget was found, weighing in at a massive 3.1 kg.
Continue on to West Coast Treetop Walk & Cafe, an exhilarating tree top adventure among temperate rainforest giants.
The cool little town of Hokitika was once the goldfields capital and port. These days the gold lies in the many artists’ studios (working precious stones, pounamu and glass), tasty food joints, and a long sandy beach perfect for West Coast sunset watching.
Local Attractions
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.
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West 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.
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FREE
Hokitika 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.
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West Coast Cycle and Tours
For bike hire, trail info, tour planning, shuttles and luggage transfers. Located in Hokitika.
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The Gold Room
As found West Coast gold nuggets and flakes crafted into stunning jewellery.
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Hokitika Glass Studio
Hokitika Glass Studio: Glass Blowing & Designer Art Forms: Glassblowing at its best. Beautiful handcrafted glassware.
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Ross Goldfields Information & Heritage Centre
Discover Gold Rush Relics and Pan for Gold!
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Free
West 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.
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Hokitika 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.
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Wilderness Gallery
A contemporary, fresh and inspiring Gallery right in the heart of Hokitika
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Free. Campsite fees apply.
Lake 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.
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The 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.
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Free
Hokitika Gorge
The Hokitika Gorge is 33kms from Hokitika. The vivid turquoise water surrounded by lush native bush is well worth a visit.
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Westland Greenstone
Westland Greenstone specialises in the design and manufacture of quality New Zealand jade jewellery, sculptures and ornaments.
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$18 to $108
West Coast Treetop Walk & Tower Zipline
An exhilarating tree top adventure among temperate rainforest giants.
Learn moreDay 4: Hokitika to Christchurch
3 hr 13 min, 251 km
Grab an early lunch en route at Kumara’s Theatre Royal Hotel, a fully restored miners’ hotel that dates back to Kumara’s rough, tough gold-mining heyday. Continue to Canterbury via Arthur’s Pass, a spectacular journey.
Arthur’s Pass National Park is in the heart of the Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana. Its high mountains with large scree slopes, steep gorges and wide braided rivers straddle the main divide, forming the backbone of the South Island.
Local Attractions
$675 - full day. $350 - 1/2 day. $200 - 2 hours.
Moana Trout Fishing Safari
Guided fishing tours lakes, rivers and streams. Try your luck at sight casting to wild browns.
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Lake Brunner, Moana Walks
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$415
Hotel Lake Brunner
Hotel Lake Brunner is situated in Moana, and overlooks the picturesque Lake Brunner. A multi-functional venue, the Hotel offers a range of accommodation from budget to premier, luxury Wood Fired Hot Hubs, and the onsite Kingfisher Bar and Restaurant.
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Lake Brunner
Moana is a town that sits on the edge of Lake Brunner near Greymouth, West Coast.
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