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West Coast · New Zealand
The Franz Josef and Fox glaciers descending into the temperate rainforest, Lake Matheson, the layered rocks at Punakaiki, the Hokitika Gorge and the Tasman Sea’s open coast.
In the photo: Hokitika Gorge
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Get to know the place
The West Coast (Te Tai o Poutini) is the narrow strip between the Southern Alps and the Tasman Sea, running along almost the entire west coast of the South Island. It’s sparsely populated, very wet, and covered in temperate rainforest that reaches from mountain to shore, with green-blue rivers, stony beaches and driftwood brought in by the sea. A single road, State Highway 6, runs the region from north to south.
The best-known stretch is the glaciers. Franz Josef (Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere) and Fox (Te Moeka o Tuawe) descend from the Alps to only a few hundred meters elevation, in the middle of the forest, about 23 km apart. Both have retreated considerably in recent decades and the ice fronts are unstable; approach is by trails to viewpoints and, to step on the ice, by helicopter flights combined with a guided walk. Near Fox, Lake Matheson reflects Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Tasman on windless mornings. The area is part of Te Wāhipounamu, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Further north, Hokitika grew from the 1864 gold rush and is now known for pounamu artisans, the New Zealand greenstone, and for the beach that hosts a driftwood sculpture festival in January. About 33 km away, the Hokitika Gorge has milky-blue water beneath suspension bridges.
In the north, at Punakaiki, the Pancake Rocks are layered limestone formations, like stacks of pancakes, with blowholes that spout seawater at high tide. They lie within Paparoa National Park, which has trails through forest and along rivers.
This destination brings together 4 cities: Hokitika, Franz Josef / Waiau, Fox Glacier, Punakaiki.
One destination, many paths
Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.
Boundaries: Stats NZ / geoBoundaries (CC BY 4.0). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.
✈ Aeroporto de Hokitika (HKK) · 2 km to Hokitika
The TranzAlpine train connects Christchurch to Greymouth, and Hokitika Airport has flights to Christchurch. By road you reach it via State Highway 6, coming from Nelson to the north or from Wānaka and Queenstown to the south via Haast Pass, or crossing the Alps via Arthur’s Pass from Christchurch.
Suggested arrival point: Hokitika
Hokitika is a town of about 3,400 people, founded during the 1864 gold rush, between the Tasman Sea and the Alps. It is known for pounamu craftsmen, the greenstone, and for the beach strewn with logs brought in by the sea. About 33 km away is the Hokitika Gorge, with milky-blue water and suspension bridges.
Franz Josef (Waiau) is a village of about 400 residents on Highway 6, roughly 5 km from the Franz Josef Glacier. It concentrates accommodation and services, departures for helicopter flights and guided glacier walks, and the wildlife centre where chicks of some of the rarest kiwi species are raised.
Fox Glacier (Weheka) is a village of about 200 residents on State Highway 6, 23 km from Franz Josef, near the glacier of the same name. About 5 km away is Lake Matheson, which reflects Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Tasman on windless mornings, and roughly 20 km away is Gillespies Beach, a dark-sand shore associated with the gold rush.
Punakaiki is a village of under one hundred residents on Highway 6, between Greymouth and Westport, on the edge of Paparoa National Park. It is known for the Pancake Rocks, layered limestone formations with holes where the sea sprays through, and has short forest walks such as the Truman Track and the Pororari River track.
The local experience
Hokitika River gorge, about 33 km from town, with milky‑blue water between rock walls and native forest. A walking loop includes two suspension bridges, one 90 meters long.
A roughly 12 km glacier that descends from the Southern Alps into the forest, 5 km from the village. Valley walk to a viewpoint, scenic flights and guided glacier walks that arrive by helicopter.
Glacial lake about 5 km from the village of Fox Glacier, surrounded by forest. On calm mornings the dark water reflects Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Tasman. Trail around the lake.
Layered limestone formations, like stacks of pancakes, at Dolomite Point within Paparoa National Park. At high tide with strong swell, the sea sprays through holes in the rock.
About a 12 km glacier that descends from the Southern Alps near the village of the same name. Seen from lookouts and from the south bank trail of the Fox River; the ice can only be reached by helicopter.
A dark‑sand, stony beach on the Tasman Sea, adjacent to Hokitika’s town centre, covered in logs washed ashore. In January it hosts a festival of sculptures made from that material.
A short walk through coastal forest north of Punakaiki to a stony beach ringed by limestone cliffs, with a small waterfall and sea-carved caves.
A centre in Franz Josef village that incubates eggs and raises rowi and Haast tokoeka kiwi chicks—two of the rarest kiwi species—for release into the wild. Exhibition about the programme and kiwis in a nocturnal environment.
Dark-sand and driftwood beach on the Tasman Sea, about 20 km from the village of Fox Glacier, where there was a gold-mining settlement in the 1860s. Campsite and coastal tracks.
A level track through the limestone gorge of the Pororari River north of Punakaiki, among nikau palms and forest, with the green river running alongside. It can be combined with the Inland Pack Track as a circuit.
Before you go
A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.
December to March, with long days and slightly less rain. It rains a lot at any time of year, and clear days often follow wet periods. In winter, June to August, it’s cold, but days after rain are often clear and good for mountain views. Sandflies are more active in summer.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Three to four days: one between Punakaiki and Hokitika, including the gorge, and two at the glaciers for walks, Lake Matheson and a buffer day for weather. The trip is commonly done north to south, on the way to Wānaka or Queenstown.
Franz Josef and Fox Glacier concentrate accommodation near the glaciers; Franz Josef has more options. Hokitika is the most practical base in the middle of the coast, with restaurants and services. In Punakaiki there are few places to stay, close to the Pancake Rocks.
Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.
Get your questions answered
Only with a guided walk that accesses the upper ice by helicopter. From the walking tracks you reach viewpoints only, because the glacier fronts are unstable. Flights depend on weather and are paid separately.
The two are about 23 km apart and can be seen in the same day. Franz Josef has the valley walk to a viewpoint; near Fox are Lake Matheson and the viewpoints on the river’s south bank. The village of Franz Josef offers more accommodation.
Three to four days, from Punakaiki to the glaciers, including a buffer day for rain. The region is often visited en route between Nelson or Christchurch and Wānaka or Queenstown.
Yes, it is one of the wettest regions in the country, at any time of year. Rain comes in spells and is often followed by clear days. Bring waterproof clothing and allow a weather buffer day.
In practice, yes: the region is extensive and buses have limited timetables. The TranzAlpine train reaches Greymouth, where many people rent a car to continue along the coast.
