West Coast

Bordered by the Southern Alps and the Tasman Sea this ribbon of lush lowland feels like no other place in New Zealand. The wild west coast is where the pioneer spirit is alive and well. Tough miners, foresters, and farmers exist cheek by jowl with conservationists, both drawn by the unimaginable beauty and bounty of this great southern wilderness.

In this unique landscape, the Paparoa syncline has sculpted a hidden karst terrain cloaked by dense native forest, where moss-covered limestone formations lie beneath towering, almost-tropical nīkau palms.

A Conservation Stronghold

The West Coast is sparsely populated with 90% of its land area being crown-owned conservation estate. Much of this vast expanse of land that stretches from ice capped 3000 metre alps to the ocean is protected in perpetuity.  These pristine landscapes, rich biodiversity, and rare ecosystems will endure - te papa atawhai (Maori: a treasure chest of care).

Visit the Gems in this Unique Landscape

• Check out the Paparoa Ranges - a syncline of sculpted, hidden karst terrain cloaked by dense native forest, where moss-covered limestone formations lie beneath towering, almost-tropical nīkau palms. Wonderful trails to walk.

• Or marvel at the ice carved landscape, towering seracs and deep crevasses on a hike up to the terminal face of Fox or Franz Josef Glaciers. Gaze upwards and feel like you are in the American Rockies or the Eiger for a moment.

• Or take the opportunity to kayak on New Zealand’s largest unmodified wetland – Okarito Lagoon. Keep an eye out for the regal kotuku (white heron) from the water. The Okarito brown kiwi, rowi, can be heard at night. These 450 kiwi that call Okarito home are the rarest of the five species of kiwi.

Hiking on the West Coast

Getting out of your car and hiking into the wilderness on the West Coast is easy. There is a network of hiking trails, including the Paparoa Track, one of the newest New Zealand Great Walks, scores of fabulous short walks off the highways, as well as sections of the New Zealand Cycle Trail.

Tours to New Zealand rarely overlook the West Coast; its palpable isolation and prehistoric scenery evoke the quintessential image of the great New Zealand outdoors.