The West Coast

The West Coast of the Southern Alps is 600 kilometres in length and has a population of approximately 35,000 people.

It is home to five of New Zealand’s National Parks: Kahurangi, Paparoa, Arthur’s Pass, Westland and Mount Aspiring and the South Westland World Heritage area.

The West Coast abounds with not-to-be-missed natural features, from the seal colony at Cape Foulwind north of Greymouth, to the glaciers and calm mirror lakes to the south. In between you’ll find rainforest, lakes, ‘pancake’ rocks, enchanting river valleys with soaring cliffs, rugged coastline and beaches.