Top attractions, 11 best things to do on the West Coast

1. RAFT THE WEST COAST RIVERS

Raft the surging white water depths of the BULLER GORGE or WHATAROA RIVERS and explore rivers seldom visited. Capture the sense of being the first to venture into the pristine wilderness of the West Coast. The breathtaking scenery is a bonus.

2. UNDERWORLD CAVES, GLOW WORMS

Explore underworld caves and go canyoning / rafting in Charleston with family and friends. Take in the sight of an enormous cave system festooned with stalactites and stalagmites, and delve deeper to float through incredible Glow-worm lit grottoes

3. OPARARA CAVES

Absorb stunning rock formations at Punakaiki pancake rocks and extraordinary limestone OPARARA CAVES, in Karamea.

3. PAPAROA NATIONAL PARK WALKS &  PUNAKAIKI ROCKS AND LIMESTONE CLIFFS

Walk through sub-tropical emerald green forests in Paparoa National Park and rest awhile as you slowly stroll Cave Creek Memorial track surrounded by mossy rocks and overhanging trees in verdant wilderness

5. FOX GLACIER WALKS

Tramp / hike to a glacier. An easily walking track for all fitness levels brings you to the moraine fields of a retreating glacier. The Franz Josef Glacier walk even passes several small waterfalls

6. CAPE FOULWIND FUR SEALS & LIGHTHOUSE

Find a colony of breeding fur seals at Tauranga Bay, a lighthouse on the short easy walking tracks of Cape Foulwind.

7. LAKE MATHESON MIRRORED PERFECTION

Unearth raw beauty with mirrored lakes reflecting mountain ranges in their inky depths. Lake Brunner and Matheson offer visitors short easy walks where the dawn is witness to the rising mists and quiet water.

8. ELEGANT VISUALLY STUNNING HERONS, OKARITO LAGOON

Become fascinated with the elegance of the heron, kotuku at Okarito Lagoon and the timeless landscape of an unmodified wetland as you kayak among the numerous wading birds.

9. DENNISTON PLATEAU – UNPACK A SLICE OF AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND HISTORY

Denniston Plateau is moody, misting, bleak and unmissable in its lonely splendour. The coal mining relics, the sheer tenacity of the miners as they toiled in the unforgiving harsh environment is unforgettable. Finish off this real life experience with a brush up at the Westport Coal Museum.

10. TRY YOUR LUCK GOLD PANNING

Grab a chance to strike it rich, Go gold panning at designated river locations. Pack a picnic and get the family into the act looking for gold. Check out the artifacts and memorabilia in Reefton, Hokitika and Ross where the 19th century miners often or not were left destitute

11. MINING DISASTERS & GHOSTS

Find a moment of quiet contemplation at Brunner Mine Site with its tragic coal mine disaster or Waiuta gold mine plunged 879 metres below the earth’s surface. Discover ghosts and stories about quirky personalities.