84 High St, Greymouth
Freephone 0800 809 991
Phone +64 (03)768 9991
Fax +64 (03)768 9992
Mob +64 (021)140 1211
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Local Information
We have put together some information about the wonderful area that you will be staying in.
About the West Coast of the Southern Alps 
The
West Coast of the Southern Alps is 600 kilometres in length and has a population
of approximately 35,000.
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.
Karamea
Karamea
at the top of the West Coast is where adventure begins. This is the gateway
to Kahurangi National Park, with its unique flora and fauna including the
Great Spotted Kiwi and short and long-tailed bats (New Zealand’s only native
mammal).
Take a leisurely walk through groves of Nikau Palms, embark on a tramping adventure on the famous Heaphy Track or explore the limestone caves and arches of the Oparara Basin.
South Island Robin - cheeky and fearless!
Westport
Westport
- Enjoy the ever-changing scenery with its rugged beaches, untamed rivers
and gentle streams.
Historical mining sites include Coaltown, Denniston, Stockton and Millerton.
Visit the seals at Cape Foulwind or get really adventurous – jet boating, surfing, mountain biking, tube rafting, whitewater rafting, scenic caving and glow worms at Charleston, Argo 8-weel drive tours, horse trekking and kayaking.
View along coast at Cape Foulwind, Westport
Punakaiki – Paparoa National Park
Soaring
cliffs and caves typify Westland’s rugged coastline, the best known feature
being the pancake rocks and blowholes at Punakaiki. In certain sea conditions
the blow holes spume seaspray in a spectacular display.
Caves in the area can be explored with local guides. The area is within the Paparoa National Park, of international importance because the area of the national park includes unmodified lowland karst, now rare in New Zealand.
Karst land forms are dominated by underground stream systems and associated features, such as caves and dolines (large sunken depressions). The main river systems of the park emerge from spectacular gorges of towering limestone cliffs, and are readily accessible via walking tracks suitable for all ages. All these tracks are part of, or link with, the historic Inland Pack Track, popular with family groups. Bullock Creek Road (just north of Punakaiki township) gives access to the heart of the limestone area, including the remarkable Cave Creek ‘stream capture’ zone.
The rugged Paparoa Range, with its peaks rising to 1500m, can provide a wilderness experience equal to any in New Zealand. Wildlife includes the world’s only breeding colony of the Westland Petrel, on the forest-covered limestone coastal ridges south of Punakaiki. From autumn to spring hundreds of these magnificent sea birds may be seen flying in from sea to their burrows just after sunset.
The lower Pororari River which passes through subtropical lowland forest and a limestone gorge, can also be explored by canoe. These can be hired on the banks of the river at Punakaiki.
Follow Truman’s Track (just north of Punakaiki) through lush coastal forest to the cliff-tops and explore the Te Miko coastline where sea caves (variously inhabited in the past by Maori traders and conscientious objectors), rock pools and marine life are accessible at low tide. Walking time approximately 20 minutes return.
Truman's Track Beach, rock formations
Greymouth
Forged
by the early Maori in search of precious greenstone (pounamu), by the spirit
of the 1860’s gold rush and by the development of road and rail links, Greymouth
is rich in history.
In January 1848 Thomas Brunner journeyed up the river which he named the
Grey River to honour the then Governor of New Zealand, Sir George Grey.
In 1868 the town took the name Greymouth from its situation at the mouth
of the Grey River.
Greymouth is the major town on the West Coast with shops ranging from small specialty and tourist shops to larger, national chain stores. Restaurants, cafes and bars provide a hub of entertainment. It is also the terminus for the famous Tranz Alpine rail journey from Christchurch and a busy centre for coaches and shuttles taking visitors on tours to other destinations on the West Coast.
Greymouth hosts an enticing range of activities only minutes from the town centre, including the Left Bank Art Gallery, History House, Monteith’s Brewing Company, Jade Boulder Gallery and the walk on the floodwall that protects the town from the mighty Grey River.
Hokitika
Gorge
You can go underground, overland, through rapids, across glaciers by helicopter, explore caves, rafting, diving, boating, trout and deep sea fishing, 4 x 4 off-road motor biking, wining and dining, plus more in the Grey Distict.
The West Coast – New Zealand’s last frontier – is a natural adventure playground set in some of the world’s most spectacular scenery.
Greymouth
is an ideal base for activities on the Coast due to its central location.
The Grey District has a number of adventure tourism operators who can provide
a range of adventure activities, from easy forest walks to grade 5 white
water rafting.
The coastal waters are well known for Hector Dolphins, seabirds and New Zealand Fur Seals. West Coast rivers and lakes are world famous for the quality of their trout fishing. Rafting, canoeing and kayaking are also popular pastimes on the many rivers and lakes in the area.
Greymouth is a rivermouth port, serving both cargo vessels and the fishing industry. Since the first shipment of coal in 1864, the port has handled nearly 25 million tonnes of cargo, mainly coal and timber exports and general cargo imports. Now that mines in the area have been reopened there are plans to upgrade the wharf facilities to cope with the additional use.
The
fishing fleet is based in Erua Moana lagoon, which is the haven for approximately
40 local fishing boats up to 50 visiting boats at the peak of the Tuna season.
About 6000 tonnes of fish are landed each year and processed in two Greymouth
factories or sent to Westport, Motueka and Hokitika for processing. The
larger off-shore vessels also fish for Hoki and Orange Roughy while smaller
boats fish inshore for mainly Sole, Flounder, Gurnard and Tarakihi.
The port entrance is between breakwaters and across a shifting bar, where bad weather can create conditions which boat users must respect – many fishermen have lost their lives, and their boats, trying to cross the ‘bar’ in rough conditions.
Wonderful sunsets and great views of the port entrance, coastline and Southern Alps (including Mt Cook on a clear day), can be had from the breakwaters which are accessed through Blaketown or Cobden.
Blackball
From militant miners to Salami sausages – Blackball’s history is colourful and varied. Blackball was founded in 1864 as a base for transient gold seakers, although the really big gold field of the area was a little further up the Grey Valley at Moonlight.
Thirty
years later however, prospectors had their sights set on coal. They were
a revolutionary bunch renowned for the infamous ‘Cribtime Strike’. For years
the Arbitration Court had refused to lengthen the coalmines’ lunch break
from 15 minutes to half an hour. In 1908, seven workers went out and refused
a command to return to their jobs. When the group was fired, fellow workers
joined the strike. The management agreed to the longer break. The strike
showed the rest of New Zealand that collective action was effective. As
a result the Red Feds were established, and from them the Federation of
Labour and the New Zealand Labour Party evolved.
In its heyday, Blackball was populated by around 1200 people. When the mine closed in 1964, many left and the town was expected to slowly disappear, but today around 400 people call Blackball home with the popular watering hole ‘Formerly the Blackball Hilton’ hotel as a meeting place.
Lakes
Within 40mins drive of Greymouth are several lakes – Lake Brunner at Moana (East of Stillwater), Lake Kaniere (East of Hokitika) and Lake Mahinapua (South of Hokitika). Each have easy walking tracks of varying lengths and all with beautiful scenery and picnic spots on the way.
Walks
There are numerous short walks (from 10-60 mins) around the Greymouth township. We will be happy to give you directions to these wonderful walks and vantage points for great views of the town or surrounding area.
There are 20 or so walks in the immediate district ranging from gentle boardwalks to 4hr walks with river crossings included. All are very rewarding and worth consideration and within 30-60 minutes drive of Greymouth township. A bit further afield but a real gem, is the Hari Hari Coastal walk - best done when the tide is not too high and is a mixture of bush and beach walking with a magnificent view from the Doughboy lookout if you choose to climb the steps!
For the more adventurous and better equipped, there are hikes of 2-5 day duration through rainforest or mixed podacarp forests, limestone gorges, up to hot pools and over tussock covered mountain ranges.
If you wish to know more about any of the above, please talk to us at reception.
Kea - Otira Viaduct lookout at Deaths Corner
Otira Viaduct - Arthur's Pass Road
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