Overview
Take a Trip to the West Coast on your New Zealand Vacation
The West Coast region, located on the South Island of New Zealand, is simply known by locals as “The Coast” and stretches 600 kilometres/360 miles from north to south along the Tasman Sea coast. It is scenic with wild coastlines and rugged mountains and is largely remote and sparsely populated, all to be seen on a New Zealand vacation.
There are three major towns, Greymouth, Westport and Hokitika, the largest and most important being Greymouth which can be reached by the TranzAlpine train on New Zealand Tours leaving daily from Christchurch and offering views en route of fantastic scenery. Nearby is Shantytown, famous during the gold rush days of the 1860s. In fact, one can still try one’s hand at gold panning here and can also enjoy a ride on a steam train. The coastal road between Westport and Greymouth offers an extremely dramatic and scenic drive.
Two great hikes are along the Heaphy Track and the Cascade-Hollyford Track. An impressive sight along the coast is Punakaiki with its pancake rocks and blowholes.
Languages
English, MaoriCurrency
New Zealand Dollar (NZD)Trending Trips
Unforgettable Journeys.Classic New Zealand
Christchurch, West Coast, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Upolu Point, Wellington, Rotorua, and AucklandLord of the Rings Road Trip: Explore Middle Earth
Christchurch, Queenstown, Milford Sound, West Coast, Abel Tasman National Park, Wellington, North Island, Rotorua, and AucklandNew Zealand Landscapes & Wonders
West Coast, Abel Tasman National Park, Upolu Point, Wellington, Hawkes Bay, Napier, and RotoruaNew Zealand Dual Island Discovery with Airfare
Christchurch, West Coast, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Wellington, Rotorua, and AucklandNorth & South Island Road Trip Across New Zealand
Christchurch, Dunedin, South Island, Queenstown, Milford Sound, West Coast, Abel Tasman National Park, Upolu Point, Wellington, North Island, Hawkes Bay, Napier, Rotorua, and Coromandel PeninsulaPure New Zealand Road Trip & Wellness Journey
Queenstown, Milford Sound, West Coast, and South IslandTwin Islands of New Zealand Road Trip
Christchurch, West Coast, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Rotorua, and AucklandSouth Island New Zealand Road Trip: Glaciers, Cities & Peaks
Christchurch, Dunedin, South Island, Queenstown, Milford Sound, West Coast, and Abel Tasman National Park
Don't see the
perfect trip idea?
Request a custom quote.
Turn your travel dreams into reality with Goway. Our customized vacations take travellers to all corners of the world.
What do the experts say?
The food in New Zealand is incredible, and New Zealanders are rightly proud of their paddock to plate cuisine. Almost everything is sustainably grown and processed, from lamb and seafood to vegetables and fruit.
About 20 percent of New Zealand is made up of National Parks, Forests, and Nature Reserves. And they’re all free to enter!
The Māori cultural experiences and performances offered throughout the North and South Islands are well worth seeking out. If the opportunity presents itself, definitely take part in a hāngī
Looking for a great restaurant in New Zealand? Try The Bunker in Queenstown, Plato in Dunedin, Manu in Christchurch, and Oppies Fish & Chips in Rotorua
All Blacks rugby is huge in New Zealand. If you’re a sports fan, be sure to check out a home game. The All Blacks typically play their home test matches during the months of July, August, September and sometimes October
Travel Stories
Get Inspired About Your Trip to New Zealand
Unlock more by subscribing to our newsletter.
With our newsletter, you’ll get access to regular communications that inspire you and help you explore the world your way.











