New Zealand West Coast – Bespoke Itineraries

Sandwiched between the dominant Southern Alps and the untamed Tasman Sea, New Zealand’s West Coast region is perfect for those who are looking for an adventure, but don’t need it handed to them on a silver platter.

Averaging 20-25 feet of rainfall per year, the unpredictable weather of the region has made the West Coast the road less traveled. That makes it all the more rewarding to those who choose to include it in their itinerary and earn the bragging rights of hiking a glacier in a t-shirt! For an epic road trip, you can drive all the way from Westport to Haast and include a handful of interesting and beautiful stops. But for the highlights, stopping around Greymouth and Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers are essential.

Green rolling hills and patchwork farmland sweep toward the coastline near Christchurch, New Zealand.

Layered pancake rock formations rise from the Tasman Sea at Punakaiki on New Zealand's West Coast.

A bundled hiker stands within a blue glacier cave, surrounded by sculpted ice walls and a slick frozen floor.

Why visit New Zealand's West Coast?

The TranzAlpine Railway offers one of the most scenic ways to arrive on the West Coast — a five-hour journey between Christchurch and Greymouth that crosses the Southern Alps and threads through Arthur's Pass. It's a stunning way to transition between coasts, and a worthy experience in its own right before the adventures that await on the other side.

1
The TranzAlpine Railway offers one of the most scenic ways to arrive on the West Coast — a five-hour journey between Christchurch and Greymouth that crosses the Southern Alps and threads through Arthur's Pass. It's a stunning way to transition between coasts, and a worthy experience in its own right before the adventures that await on the other side.
2
North of Greymouth are the iconic Punakaiki Pancake Rocks, one of the geological wonders of the West Coast. The ocean-side cliffs have taken shape over thousands of years and, with blowholes shooting water scores of vertical feet at high tide, it is a sight to behold. South of Greymouth is the funky little town of Hokitika, the birthplace of pounamu (New Zealand jade) which is showcased in a handful of shops and galleries in town. Guests can even carve their own! We also recommend cycling on the West Coast Wilderness Track and visiting the jaw-droppingly beautiful Hokitika Gorge.
3
A highlight for our wild West Coast adventurers is a heli-hike on the Franz Josef or Fox glaciers. You can walk the the base of both glaciers, but if you want to actually walk on the glaciers or ice-climb, you can only do so by helicopter. For those seeking the beautiful views without the exertion, scenic flights are available over either glacier. Post heli-hike, nothing beats soaking in a hot pool in Franz Josef town. Photographers will also delight in shooting the reflection of Mt. Cook in Lake Matheson, just outside Fox Glacier, on the road toward Queenstown and Fiordland.

Interested in this?

Add to shortlist

Still exploring? Add this to your shortlist so you can easily find it again. When you’re ready, send us your shortlist so we can start organizing your trip.

Contact us

Want to find out more, or ready to start organizing your trip? Get in touch and we’ll take care of everything.

Other areas to explore

A visit to the West Coast puts you within easy reach of many other beautiful and fascinating parts of New Zealand.

Auckland

Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city and home to the largest Polynesian population in the world.

Bay of Islands

Escape to a serene corner of New Zealand’s far northern coast

Two hikers stand on golden tussock above Lake Wakatipu, with rugged peaks and dramatic clouds overhead.

Queenstown

Perfectly situated on the crystalline Lake Wakatipu with mountains on either side, Queenstown, also known as New Zealand’s “adventure capital”, brims with experiences for the intrepid traveler.