New Zealand’s South Island – West Coast
What’s not to love about the Pacific Island nation of New Zealand? I feel so fortunate to 
get to travel there fairly regularly as a result of working in Antarctica.
The west coast of the south island of New Zealand offers a glimpse into a different type of lifestyle and a unique part of New Zealand. Isolated from the rest of the south island by the Southern Alps the wild west of New Zealand offers its very own brand of culture and scenery.
Westport:
This coastal town serves as the northern gateway to the region and an excellent place to begin or end a journey along the rugged west coast. Don’t miss the fur seal colony approximately 16km south of Westport.
Punakaki:
Far and away my favorite place in this region. Punakaki sports the “pancake rocks” (pictured above) and a ruggedly beautiful coastline. Also nearby are the Fox River caves, a delightful attraction. Punakaki is also home to the Paparoa National Park visitor’s center – take some time and explore the park.
Greymouth:
This coastal town is the end of the line for New Zealand’s Trans-Alpine railroad and seems to be a jumping-off point for many people who travel to the west coast by train and as such is a hub of other transportation options including bus tours. There’s more to Greymouth though – take a walking tour of the city to explore its rugged history or stop in at the Monteith’s brewery for a (not free!
) brewery tour.Hokitika:
The air hub of the region offering daily connecting service from Christchurch, this town is sort of a gateway to the glacier region. The town is also home to the Hokitika wild foods festival held in March of every year. Quite a few artisans have taken up residence in Hokitika and offer hand crafted designs made from a variety of raw materials found locally including jade, driftwood, copper and paua (abalone) shells. Fancy yourself a stone carver? Try your hand at making jade jewelry at many of the local jade shops. A must see attraction and off of the tourist track is Hokitika Gorge with beautiful deep-blue water.
Franz Josef and Fox Glacier:
These two towns borrow their monikers from their nearby attractions and are the sole reason for many travelers to go to the west coast. New Zealand has over 140 glaciers but only these two descend into the lower rain forests. Many tours are available, but for a more intimate experience visit the smaller village of Fox Glacier.
Haast:
The west coast’s southern gateway is a bird watcher’s paradise and offers much in the way of hiking and exploring. There are also river safaris, nature tours, helicopter rides and jet boat rides (if you’ve missed that elsewhere in New Zealand).
The west coast really offers you a chance to “get away” on your travels and experience a unique corner of New Zealand.
Will @ October 30, 2008
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