Things to Do on the West Coast

Franz Josef Glacier, West Coast — Credit: RoadyNZ

Things to Do on the West Coast: this untamed strip of the South Island is a wilderness of rainforest, glaciers and geological treasures. Franz Josef and Fox glaciers descend from the Southern Alps to rainforest only about 300 metres above sea level, so you can walk to the ice or fly over it by helicopter. Visit the Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki, carve your own piece of pounamu (Māori jade) in Hokitika, ride a Great Ride cycle trail and explore the coast’s gold-mining history.

Experience the West Coast

Franz Josef and Fox glaciers
Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and blowholes
Pounamu (greenstone) carving in Hokitika
Wild Great Rides and rainforest trails
Gold-mining history and untamed beaches

You´ll ❤️ these great things to see & do…

Take a heli-hike or guided walk on Franz Josef or Fox Glacier
See both glaciers from the air on a scenic flight
Watch the sea burst through the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and blowholes
Carve your own piece of pounamu in Hokitika
Walk among the treetops on the West Coast Tree Top Walk
Cycle the West Coast Wilderness Trail, or tackle the Old Ghost Road

Where to Experience It on the West Coast

Pancake Rocks, West Coast, 14 Day South Island Adventure Tour — Photo by Nimmo Photography

The West Coast stretches the length of the South Island’s western side, so the easiest way to plan your things to do on the West Coast is by area and theme. Where we have a matching activity, the name links to it.

Glacier Country (Franz Josef and Fox): two of the most accessible glaciers in the world. Join a guided walk to the Franz Josef Glacier terminus, see both from above with a scenic flight, or hike on the ice by helicopter. See Scenic Flights and Walking & Hiking.
Punakaiki and Paparoa National Park: the Pancake Rocks are limestone stacks formed more than 30 million years ago, and the most visited natural attraction on the West Coast. Visit at high tide, when spray shoots through the blowholes. See Nature.
Hokitika and pounamu: pounamu is found in many places on the West Coast and is prized for its strength, durability and beauty. In Hokitika you can carve your own piece. Don’t miss Hokitika Gorge. See Māori Culture.
Rainforest and lakes: the West Coast Tree Top Walk, Lake Brunner and Lake Matheson near Fox Glacier.
Cycling: the West Coast Wilderness Trail, with local history and wilderness, and the Old Ghost Road, the most remote and challenging of New Zealand’s Great Rides, which follows an old gold miners’ route between Lyell in the Buller Gorge and Seddonville. See Cycling & Mountain Biking.
Gold-mining history: explore towns such as Ross, where one of the deepest mining projects in the Southern Hemisphere once operated. See Heritage & Art.

Events on the West Coast

Hokitika Wildfoods Festival, Saturday 13 March 2027. A celebration of wild food and West Coast character at Cass Square in Hokitika, confirmed by Westland District Council. The festival began in 1990.
Wild West Backyard Ultra, 26–28 March 2027. An ultramarathon on Hokitika Beach, starting on Good Friday.

For national dates such as Waitangi Day, Matariki and Great Walks season, see New Zealand Festivals.

Good to Know Before You Go

Distances are long: the main towns are far apart, so plan driving time between Franz Josef, Hokitika, Punakaiki and Westport.
Glacier trips: book guided glacier walks and heli-hikes in advance, because they depend on weather.
Hokitika Gorge: see the official West Coast Tourism guide, and transport operators such as Hokitika Scenic Tours and West Coast Encounters.

Driving times

Nelson to Westport: about 3 hours
Franz Josef to Fox Glacier: about 30 minutes

Combine the West Coast With

The West Coast connects to the rest of the South Island through the Alps, so it pairs well with these regions:

Nelson Tasman – through Murchison to Westport, about three hours
Christchurch & Canterbury – across the Southern Alps
Wanaka – over Haast Pass from Fox Glacier
Queenstown – the usual onward stop to the south

All South Island Regions

Christchurch – Canterbury Dunedin & Otago Fiordland Kaikoura & Hanmer Springs Marlborough Nelson Tasman Southland Stewart Island Mount Cook & Mackenzie Queenstown New Zealand Wanaka West Coast

Find Your Perfect Activity

Westcoast Treetop Walk & Cafe

1128 Woodstock-Rimu Rd, Hokitika Walking & Hiking Family & Kids

Flexible

Price:Included In Your Tour Package

High-Altitude Harmony: The West Coast Treetop Walk Guide If you want a bird’s-eye view of New Zealand’s rainforests, visit the West Coast Treetop Walk near Hokitika. This scenic reserve dates back to 1907. Today, it offers a peaceful adventure high above the forest floor. Specifically, you will stroll along safe platforms to see the ancient

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Punakaiki Pancake Rocks & Blowholes

Punakaiki Nature Family & Kids

2 hours

Price:Included In Your Tour Package

Pancake Rocks New Zealand South Island: A West Coast Wonder in Paparoa National Park Nature’s Masterpiece Punakaiki is a captivating coastal destination where nature has sculpted one of New Zealand’s most iconic geological formations: the Pancake Rocks. These layered limestone stacks, shaped over millions of years by wind and water, resemble piles of pancakes —

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