Greymouth to Hokitika to Haast Pass: West Coast Road Trip (location map 2025)

Your journey starts with a bridge to nowhere. The single remaining span of the former bridge is now in a public park near the location of the replacement modern concrete highway bridge. The former bridge is a Howe timber Truss construction. The combined road and rail bridge on State Highway 6, over the Arahura River (between Greymouth and Hokitika) was a vital link in the West Coast’s transport network for around 110 years. The bridge’s struss was saved as it is a very rare example of this type of structure.

One of its Howe trusses was retained and is now the centrepiece of the Arahura Bridge Heritage Park, close to the site of the former bridge. The remaining span serves as a memorial to the former structure. The park’s display includes educational material about the history of the former Arahura River Bridge.

Source: Arahura River Bridge

The public park is clearly visible from SH6 pull into the public car park adjacent to the current modern bridge. 

Duration: 15 – 20 minutes unless you are an engineer

Just beyond the bridge is a sharp turn into a small car park. A concrete propeller statue and information plaque mark a major commercial site for New Zealand aviation history. In 1934 Air Travel (NZ) Ltd commenced operations as the first licensed scheduled air service in New Zealand.

Where cows now munch grass Air Travel operated from until 1947 when National Airways Corporation took over. The aerodrome was closed and replaced with the current location.

Duration: 15 minutes

Pretty attractive Ross is an ideal choice for heritage fans with family. There are gold mining relics throughout the town precinct from a water cannon for sluicing hillsides to a poppet next to the heritage cottage.

The town has mature trees creating a foliage delight in autumn and spring. Ross is an ideal location for exploring nearby Lake Mahinapua and Treetops Walk.

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Depart from Ross and remember to stop and check where the first solo flight from Australia to New Zealand landed. January 1931 Guy Menzies ended up landing in the Harihari swamp yet his embulliant character cheered up spirits against the woes of the Great Depression.

He carried neither a wireless nor food; ‘his luggage was one spare collar, a razor, and a toothbrush.’ Menzies encountered rough weather over the Tasman and was driven well south of his intended destination, Blenheim. A replica of his plane lies behind a dusty, grimey window at HariHari.

A great roadside story about a personality whose story is seldom told.

Duration: ½ hour

Your journey passes through the small settlement of Whataroa. Glorious white heron plumage displays among the timeless swamp Kahikatea and White Pine rainforest is natural magic. Visitors have a unique opportunity from September to February (breeding season) to join a guided tour to the bird’s nesting sites.

Other times of the year enjoy a rainforest experience in the Waitangiroto Nature Reserve. The tours are exclusively managed by White Heron Sanctuary Tours – Home. Whataroa is also home to the Petr Hlavacek Gallery where haunting landscapes invite you to take time and absorb the imagery before you.

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An exquisite lagoon and heritage buildings is a match made in West Coast tourist heaven. The lagoon is home to more than 76 species of native birds including the kōtuku/white heron and royal spoonbills. Okarito is the location for the oldest identified building on the West Coast, Donovan’s Store and the Okarito Memorial Obelisk.

Originally a gold mining settlement with an estimated population of 1,500 now there are less than 25 residents. There is a passionate commitment to the environment and legacy of Okarito among the local residents. The white heron is the birding star of the place together with the extremely rare Okarito kiwi. The lagoon’s bird life is a major drawcard along with the sense of peace, history and sheer beauty of the landscapes.

Short lagoon walks will tempt you to stay awhile

Okarito Wetland Walk is a 20 minute return walk winding through the bush crossing the estuary on a curving boardwalk. There is a gentle climb to a viewpoint. For more information about Okarito check What’s so great about Okarito.

Duration: ½ day to several days

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A village that grew on the back of tourism is surrounded by dense forest with the Alps in the background. The major attraction the Franz Josef glacier can be accessed on walking tracks, heli-hike tours or viewed on an aerial flight.

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The journey is now finishing at one of three major alpine pass routes. You are in Glacier Country. The next leg of the journey embraces waterfalls to gladden the heart of waterfall fans, walks, swimming holes wrapped around the beauty of New Zealand alpine scenery.

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