The West Coast
Is the West Coast the Best Coast?
The west coast of the south island has a couple of reputations. One is of being extraordinarily beautiful, the other is that it is extraordinarily wet. Considering the annual rainfall in the more elevated parts of the region can exceed 10,000mm, that second one sounds pretty true.
The first reputation, of being incredibly beautiful, is pretty well documented too. Remarkable photographs of towering mountains, eerily blue glaciers and glacial streams, wind battered beaches and acres of native rainforest are everywhere. But a photograph, no matter how stunning, has never captured the true experience of being on the west coast of the south island. It’s not just the sights, but the sounds, the smells, the feelings it evokes. It is something that must be lived for one to truly understand. Here we’ll give a brief rundown of what a road trip down the coast could be like.
Starting at Westport, it is not a town generally talked about with excitement, but it has its own uniqueness that should at least be checked out. It was born out of the gold rush in the 1800s and when that dried up, turned into a coal mining town. There are relics to its gold mining past throughout the town and we suggest checking out some of the galleries which tend to feature a lot of local art.
Moving down the coast you’ll come across the famous Punakaiki pancake rocks. These limestone deposits have been eroded over time to form very interesting pancake-shaped structures. There are walkways through the rocks offering a unique view. Be prepared to get sprayed by the seawater crashing through the blowholes though!
Next you’ll pass through the towns of Greymouth, Hokitika and Ross, each with their own interesting histories and charm. We recommend checking out local galleries and museums to learn about important historical events and the impact they have had on the region.
Next up is the town of Franz Josef, named after the former emperor of Austria, Franz Josef I. The town itself is friendly and hospitable, but the real draw here is the Franz Josef Glacier. You can take heli tours to gain the best view of this world heritage site or take a 2 hour hike to get within 750m of the glacier. It is truly a humbling experience to come face to face with such a massive and powerful force of nature.
If you haven’t had enough glacier-time then another 25 minutes along the highway you’ll come to Fox Glacier. Again, you can hike to within a very close distance of the glacier’s terminal face or book a sightseeing tour or guided walk. Nearby you will find the gorgeous Lake Matheson which, on a clear day, will reflect Mount Cook.
From Fox Glacier to Haast, all you can do is just take in the unbelievable beauty. You will have to be prepared to make many stops as the views captivate you and inspire the taking of hundreds of photographs. The town of Haast itself and surrounding areas are UNESCO world heritage sites. It is literally surrounded by national parks and an innumerable amount of activities to partake in.
Beaches, dunes, lakes, wetlands, rainforests and mountains provide a veritable playground for adventure seekers and lovers of the outdoors all along the west coast of the south island.
Discover the West Coast and all it has to offer with Rite Price Rentals. Hire a car from Rotorua, Hamilton or Tauranga and start exploring today. We have car, van and truck options to suit any need. Rite Price Rentals is New Zealand’s trusted car rental company.
