Upack, unwind and unforgettable
Remote, off the beaten track from New Zealand’s well known visitor destinations the West Coast offers adventure, a slice of history and a photographer’s bucket list of unmissable locations. Unpack and unwind as you discover your unforgettable holiday destination.
Waiatoto River Safari
"One Incredible Journey", premier JET BOAT SAFARI, Haast NZ, OVER 2-HOUR JOURNEY, embark on the only jet boat tour in New Zealand that takes you from the Ocean to the Alps within a UNESCO World Heritage Area.
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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.
Crêpe and snow food truck Haast
On the road and need an energy boost or found an authentic French crepe creator in her beautifully decorated food truck. Crepes (NZ kiwi slang, pancakes), light, airy stuffed with sweet or savoury treats, shaved ice, snowy peaks on a hot day, find Crepes & Snow in Haast and your snack is sorted.
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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
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OPARARA CAVES
Absorb stunning rock formations at Punakaiki pancake rocks and extraordinary limestone OPARARA CAVES, in Karamea.
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
Inspired and need more information from getting around to where to go, check out West Coast Regional Guide for tips and ideas planning your next adventure.
BEST BITS TRAVEL GUIDE
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