West Coast Eco Tour
Enjoy the West Coast with a sustainable, eco-friendly approach.
Day 1: Christchurch to Maruia
2 hours 56 mins, 227 km
Drive through to Maruia via State Highway 7.
Once you arrive at Maruia Hot Springs, relax and unwind in one of their three natural mineral hot pools. Go for a short walk or hike in the area, enjoy the tranquility or opt in for one of their Wellness Retreats.
Local Attractions
Maruia River Retreat
Maruia River Retreat offers relaxed luxury accommodation with the perfect location to explore the South Island of New Zealand.
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$4 - $8
Marble Hill Campsite
Explore this valley's alpine beauty and native birds in amazing red beech forests of Lewis Pass.
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Reefton
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!
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Maruia River Retreat
Maruia River Retreat offers relaxed luxury accommodation with the perfect location to explore the South Island of New Zealand.
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$4 - $8
Marble Hill Campsite
Explore this valley's alpine beauty and native birds in amazing red beech forests of Lewis Pass.
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Reefton
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 moreDay 2: Maruia to Karamea
3 hours 51 mins, 260 km
Escape the hustle and bustle by heading to Karamea via State Highway 67.
Make a stop along the way at Buller Gorge to take in its stunning views or walk the heights of New Zealand's longest swingbridge.
Don't forget to explore Cape Foulwind Walkway and Denniston Plateau.
Local Attractions
$10 to $115
Buller Swing Bridge
Feel the rush of the Cometline ride, experience the thrill of a jet boat, walk the heights of New Zealand's longest swingbridge, pan for gold, or simply relax and take in the views of Buller Gorge.
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$125 for adults. $75 for children 5 to 14 years old.
Buller Canyon Jet
Join us for an exclusive award-winning jet boat adventure in the stunning Buller Canyon.
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Cape Foulwind Walkway
A seal colony, a lighthouse and panoramic views of mountains and coastline feature on this spectacular coastal walkway. With the beach close by as well it's a good option for children.
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Free
Tauranga Bay Fur Seal Colony
A short walk with spectacular ocean views, steeple rocks, and a large year-round fur seal colony.
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Denniston
Once a leading coal mining town, Denniston sits high on a steep incline railway once described as the eight wonder of the world. Spectacular scenery, incredible history, a West Coast must see.
Learn moreDay 3: Karamea to Oparara Arches to Punakaiki
2 hours 18 mins, 152 km
Start your morning with The Oparara Experience in Karamea. Take in the 40-million year old arches and the untouched Oparara Basin.
Head back towards Westport on State Highway 6 and stop in at Charleston for a Glow Worm tour
End the day in Punakaiki with a sunset view over Pancake Rocks & Blowholes.
Local Attractions
$155 - $200
Oparara Guided Tours
Join us on one of our guided eco tours amongst the pristine rainforest and limestone caves of the unique Oparara Basin. Several tour options available.
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Free
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.
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Free
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!
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Punakaiki Walks
A selection of scenic walks in the Punakaiki area of the West Coast of New Zealand.
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$30 to $120
Waka Puna Paddle and Pedal Co
At Waka Puna Paddle & Pedal Company we offer a very unique chance to experience NZ's very own Jurassic Park adventure. Operating kayak rentals on the edge of the stunning Pororari River for over 25 years we also now offer Stand-Up Paddleboards and exciting E-bike cruiser experiences. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first-timer, we cater to all experience levels!
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Paparoa Track and Pike29 Memorial Track
The Paparoa Track is New Zealand’s 10th Great Walk. It travels through the spectacular limestone landscapes and luxuriant forests of Paparoa National Park, custom-built for both mountain biking and hiking.
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Adventure Caving
An adventure truly not for the faint hearted. As the name states, Adventure Caving is full on expedition style caving.
Learn moreDay 4: Punakaiki to Ross
1 hour 28 mins, 110 km
Head south on State Highway 6 towards Hokitika. Carve your own jade necklace at Bonz N Stonz
If you choose to do a tour with Hokitika Scenic Tours, you can plant a native tree. Choose from Kahikatea, Manuka, Totara, NZ Flax (Harakeke), Wineberry. Add the Gift of Giving back tour option to your tours and help us in looking after our native forest and wildlife.
Walk 20 metres high amongst the trees at Treetop Walk & Cafe, or sail the waters of Lake Mahinapua at sunset with West Coast Scenic Waterways.
Local Attractions
Ross Walks
Enjoy two guided walks around the town, bush, lake and historic gold ruins of Ross.
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Ross Goldfields Information & Heritage Centre
Discover Gold Rush Relics and Pan for Gold!
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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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$18 to $108
West Coast Treetop Walk & Tower Zipline
An exhilarating tree top adventure among temperate rainforest giants.
Learn moreDay 5: Hokitika to Fox Glacier
2 hours 10 mins, 157 km
Make your way south to Fox Glacier on State Highway 6. If it's the season for it, stop in at Whataroa for a White Heron Sanctuary Tour
This is is the only nesting site for White Heron (Kotuku) in New Zealand.
Stop in at West Coast Wildlife Centre to find out more about their Kiwi Breeding Programme.
You could even jump out of a plane with Skydive Franz or Fox, where nobody jumps higher!
Local Attractions
Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers
This is the Glacier Country offering a wealth of adventure activities!
From $20 - $180
Franz Josef Wilderness Tours
A family owned wilderness guiding company in Franz Josef offering kayak tours, boat tours, fishing charters and quad bike adventures.
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Air Safaris Franz Josef
Our Grand Traverse scenic flight from Franz Josef provides the best way to experience this glacial environment in its entirety.
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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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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.
Learn moreDay 6: Fox Glacier to Haast
1 hour 32 mins, 121 km
From Mahitahi you can choose to spend another night on the West Coast at Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki
In Spring and Summer they are home to the Tawaki Penguin and offer guided penguin tours. There are also plenty of walks in the area as well as kayak options.
If you must make hast, make sure you stop along Haast Pass for their lovely short walks, waterfalls and blue pools on your way to Wanaka.
Local Attractions
Haast
The Haast region is a lost world that is so spectacular and remote UNESCO awarded it the status of being a "World Heritage" area.
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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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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Santana Knitwear, Honey & Gifts
Situated in Haast Township this is the place to visit for a huge range of possum merino products.
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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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$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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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.
Learn more