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4 cities
Region · Canterbury and the West Coast
West Coast
West Coast is the strip between the Southern Alps and the Tasman Sea: the Franz Josef and Fox glaciers, the Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki, Hokitika’s pounamu and temperate rainforests.
In the photo: Praia de Gillespies em West Coast
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
The region
Get to know West Coast
West Coast (Te Tai o Poutini) is a long, narrow strip on the west of the South Island, between the Southern Alps and the Tasman Sea. Excluding the Chatham Islands, it is the country’s least populated region, with wet forests, rivers, lakes and stony beaches, and abundant rainfall that keeps the vegetation green year-round. The regional council is based in Greymouth.
In the south, the Franz Josef (Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere) and Fox (Te Moeka o Tuawe) glaciers flow down from the mountains nearly to the forest, in Westland Tai Poutini National Park. Short walks lead to valley viewpoints, and to reach the ice you take guided heli-hikes or scenic flights that land on the snow. Near Fox, Lake Matheson is known for reflections of Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Tasman on windless mornings.
Hokitika grew during the 1860s gold rush and is the centre for pounamu, the greenstone that Māori carve into jewellery and objects; there are workshops open to visitors. Near town, Hokitika Gorge has turquoise-blue water between rock walls, with a suspended walkway.
To the north, Punakaiki has the Pancake Rocks, layered limestone formations, and blowholes that spout seawater when the surf is strong, in Paparoa National Park. The Paparoa Track, one of the Great Walks, crosses the range. Greymouth is the terminus of the TranzAlpine train from Christchurch via Arthur's Pass.
South of the glaciers, SH6 runs along the coast to Haast and crosses Haast Pass toward Wānaka in Otago.
Destinations
1 destination in West Coast
Cities
4 cities in West Coast in the guide
West Coast
Fox Glacier
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.
West Coast
Franz Josef / Waiau
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.
West Coast
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.
West Coast
Punakaiki
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.
When to go
It rains a lot on the West Coast in any season, and the weather can change within the same day. From December to March the days are longer and warmer, and it’s the busiest time. From June to August days are often cold and clear, good for mountain views and glacier flights. Sandflies (mosquitos-pólvora) appear mainly in summer: bring insect repellent.
Getting there
Hokitika Airport (HKK) has flights from Christchurch. By road, Greymouth is about 245 km from Christchurch via Arthur's Pass, and Franz Josef about 135 km from Hokitika. SH6 runs the length of the coast and links, to the south, Fox Glacier with Wānaka via Haast Pass and, to the north, Punakaiki with Westport and Nelson.
Your questions
Frequently asked questions about West Coast
Can you walk to the Franz Josef glacier?
The walking tracks lead to valley viewpoints but do not reach the ice, because the glacier has retreated and the river blocks access. To step on the ice you must take a guided heli-hike, which is weather-dependent.
What is the difference between Franz Josef and Fox Glacier?
They are two villages about 25 km apart, each beside its own glacier. Franz Josef has more accommodation and services; Fox is smaller and is near Lake Matheson.
When should you visit the Pancake Rocks?
The formations can be seen at any time via a short, accessible walk. The blowholes tend to work best around high tide with strong surf: check the tide table.
How many days should I allow for the West Coast?
To travel from Punakaiki to the glaciers with stops in Hokitika, three days is the minimum. Allow an extra day for glacier flights, which are cancelled when the weather closes in.